Field Coordinator

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

FUNCTION.

The field Coordinator’s overall role is to work with communities to collectively bring about social change and improve livelihood through the use of the Epicenter strategy. S/he will provide training, monitor progress, provide technical advice, evaluate and report on activities in assigned project areas and in alignment with the program plans, goals, and other donor deliverables.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:

Behave ethically; communicate effectively; creativity/Innovation; foster teamwork: compassion; generosity; humility, openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND **DELIVERABLE

A. Capacity Development of clusters, community members & animators Self Help Groups to continuously set, achieve and sustain their own development goals (45%)**

• Build the capacity of partners (SHGs/ clusters, public and private sectors) in consultation with the Program Manager on all aspects of Social Capital Development, Governance, environment & natural resource management
• Maintain excellent relationships with partners, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders
• Advocate for widespread adoption of the epicenter strategy at the district and community level and ensure buy-in and continued support from relevant stakeholders at the district level.
• Coordinate with partners and government ministries to facilitate effective and timely program implementation.
• Provide support to partners when conducting Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) of program activities in all epicenter thematic areas.
• Liaison with key government line ministries and other key stakeholders in the communities, with the implementation of the program
• Conduct training such as, but not limited to, the Vision Commitment and Action (VCA) trainings for communities, partners staff, and government officials.
• Upon request from partners, provide technical support during training at the community level.
• Support the development, implementation, and review of operational plans, including annual work plan and budget, aligned to Heifer International Zambia’s strategic plan.
• Design, track and review the implementation of enterprise development, and farmers’ preparedness to receive project resources/assets.
• Train farmers on respective cross-cutting themes, g., gender, agro-ecology, HIV/AIDS, VBHCD & Market & community-driven approaches.
• Train Cooperatives or Producer Groups on Planning and Governance

B. Promote Gender relations and women empowerment (20%)

• Conduct community gender awareness training
• Conduct awareness campaigns on women’s empowerment
• Training of women in group Savings and Credit, microfinance
• Facilitate linkage of women to microfinance institutions
• Increased Women and girls’ agency
• Improved Gender Relations & participation at household and community level

C.Monitoring Learning and Evaluation (20%)

• Collect data and maintain a good recording system on the performance of groups for inclusion in reports and databases.
• Evaluate and incorporate learning practices from implementation of community Led development project
• Monitor and make follow-ups through frequent visits to participating SHGs, clusters, and epicenter committees.
• Prepare periodic reports and document best practices and lessons learned.
• Functional Community-Led M, E& L system in place
• Conducted peer/exchange, Monitoring, and Control visits periodically.
• Written and submitted high-quality reports periodically.

D. Value Chain Development (10%)

• Facilitate cohesive market relationships among identified actors in the value
• Train farmers on Postharvest loss management and technologies
• Facilitate linkages between domestic and external markets with aggregation points.
• Facilitate the building of community assets.
• Identify and train respective value chain actors.
• Facilitate the establishment of Marketing Information Systems among value chain actors.
• Established network and aggregation point for farmers’ farm outputs.
• Mobilized physical assets for marketing and Value
• Conducted value chain and investment analyses for selected commodities.
• Established and strengthened linkages between the staff of the line Ministries, the private sector (input dealers, processors, buyers, and retailers), and the farmers.

E. May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

• Delivered as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics, Adult Education, Development Studies plus two (2) to three (3) years’ work experience.
• 2- 3 years experience in Community Development work.

Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, rural /community development, adult education, social work, or any relevant social science from recognized institutions.
• At least two years relevant experience, preferably working for international and local NGOs, and community-based organizations.
• Experience working with rural communities in Eastern province, proven experience working with government ministries and authorities at all levels.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

1. Demonstrated ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy.
2. Proven ability to achieve results.
3. Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal and representational skills.
4. Experience working with rural communities in Eastern province, proven experience working with government Ministries and authorities at all levels.
5. Computer literate in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
6. Program experience and technical competence in at least 4 Epicenter thematic areas such as; education and adult literacy, food security, water & sanitation.
7. Demonstrate ability to coordinate activities for complex projects having multiple activities and involving a variety of stakeholders.
8. Drive and ability to work independently, manage own time and schedule, to push projects and initiatives forward.
9. Fluency in both Chichewa and English.
10. Demonstrated expertise in managing monitoring and evaluation tools, systems, research, and evaluation.
11. Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks.
12. Able to ride a motorbike and have a clean riding license.
13. Willing and able to live and work in a remote location of Eastern Province Vubwi.
14. Good analytical skills.
15. Excellent communicator, both written and verbal. Speak and write fluently in English.
16. Ability to build relationships within exiting communities and present diplomatic solutions to obstacles encountered
17. A good understanding and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, and environment, and knowledge of the context to which non-profit organizations operate.
18. Strong organizational skills.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
2. Ability to establish priorities and work with minimum supervision.
3. Excellent facilitation skills.
4. Computer literate in the use of common packages for word processing and excel.
5. Licensed driver or rider.
6. Ability to travel away from home at short notice and for long periods.
7. Flexible and able to work independently to meet deadlines.
8. Constant face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communication with colleagues
   and stakeholders.
9. Fluent in English and Chewa.
10. Commitment to organizational goals and vision of Heifer Zambia.
11. Mature and ability to resolve group conflicts.
12. Sensitive to social-cultural issues such as gender and HIV/AIDS.
13. Willingness to make a long-term commitment to the organization.
14. Strong teamwork and collaborative approach capacity; ability to work with colleagues
15. Ability to work under pressure.
16. Demonstrates commitment to the vision, mission, and principles of Heifer International.
17. Strong commitment to personal values of integrity and honesty.