Project Support Officer (Local Government Technical Support) at United Purpose (UP)

United Purpose (UP) is an international development organisation that works to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest communities. Established in 1976, the organisation has nine country programmes in Africa, Asia & South America.

In Nigeria, UP has been working for almost two decades with local partners and rural communities in the country’s South East. We implement projects funded by major international donors that aim to address gender inequalities and rights abuses, improve sanitation and access to water, foster accountability, preserve vital ecosystems and develop sustainable livelihoods.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Support Officer (Local Government Technical Support)

Locations: Bauchi, Jigawa and Ogun (Inter LGA travel required)
Slots: 6 (2 per state)
Unit: Programme
Sub-Unit: WASH Programme
Reports To: State Programme Coordinator (SPC)
Status: Fulltime Contract
Duration of Contract: One year with a yearly renewal of contract subject to performance and continued availability of funds
Expected Start Date of the Project: September 2022 (depending on the donor’s decision)

Main Purpose

• The Project Support Officer will specifically support the non-state partners (sub-grantees) at LGA and community levels to increase access to improved sanitation, hygiene and MHH services, empowering sub-grantees and partners to deliver on the Market-based Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Programme in Nigeria objectives in the LGA.
• The Project Support Officer will contribute to sustainable service delivery in the LGA-wide Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Market-based Sanitation (MBS), Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) and WASH in Schools (WiNs).
• A significant level of effort will be providing direct support at the field level to LGAs and non-state partners (sub-grantees). They will specifically support the non-state implementing partners at the LGA level.
• Executing this function will mean extensive travel to field locations and excellent coordination and management based upon the detailed implementation plan and in consultation with the State Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager.
• The Project Support Officer is a member of the programme team with United Purpose and will be working closely with partner staff and the LGA WASH departments/units, and other non-state partners to implement the different components of the Programme at the LGA level.
• They will also work closely with UP’s Finance and Accounting Team, linking the LGA WASH department/Unit and other LGA level partners’ finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Liaise/coordinate with and between all bodies and institutions involved in activities at the LGA level, particularly LGA WASH departments/units, consortium member organisations, non-state actors and volunteers, to ensure the effective implementation of activities in achieving programme results.
• Participate in regular meetings with key stakeholders at the Local Government level, ensuring a common understanding of the programme objectives with reference to the LFA. The Project Support Officer is expected to ensure full commitment to the Programme, including cost-sharing by all partners. This will include supporting the timely delivery of human and material resources in the participating LGAs.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per the approved format summarising the progress made in implementing activities, lessons learnt, and recommendations for improvement, including ad hoc reports and human interest stories that may be needed. In addition, support the update of the results-based framework in-line with programme indicators quarterly with more detailed inputs for preparing annual reports.
• As part of the programme team, fully adopt the project cycle management (PCM), including the LFA and a results-based performance management approach.
• Work closely with State Programme Coordinator and consortium partners on the programme (WASH and enterprise) structures at the LGA level towards identifying capacity building needs for effective delivery of CLTS and MBS intervention towards the attainment of ODF and increase in the purchase of improved sanitation and hygiene products in all communities. Assist in building a resource pool of trained personnel in CLTS triggering, hygiene promotion, product sales, appropriate technology support, and monitoring & evaluation.
• Support the State Programme Coordinator in reviewing the LGA Level WASH sector plans and budgets and assist in formulating strategies, plans, and budgets to achieve Total Sanitation and the subsequent deployment of resources (funds and people) in the Programme LGA.
• Provide technical input for the preparation/design of surveys and studies and play an active role in data collection and dissemination of findings under the Programme among various LGA stakeholders (to increase their understanding of sector issues and emerging approaches) and thereby facilitate the scale-up of successful approaches to non-targeted LGAs.
• Provide regular supportive supervision and monitoring of programme activities in the LGAs of sub-grantees against agreed plans, targets, technical design, and specifications and standards.
• Liaise closely with other key stakeholders in the participating LGAs and ensure synergies in the area of development of sector-wide plans, coordination, and scaling up/replication of Market-based Sanitation, Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), WASH interventions, WASH in Schools, Capacity building, Citizen’s Voice and Accountability, and M&E.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per the approved format summarising the progress made in implementing activities, lessons learnt, and recommendations for improvement, including ad hoc reports and human interest stories that may be needed. In addition, contribute to updating the log frame and results against programme indicators quarterly with more detailed input for preparing annual reports.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide feedback to partners and programme team on programmes’ performance based on data collected and findings
• Assist the programme team in building the capacity of LGA WASH departments/units, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Toilet Business Enterprises, Sales Agents etc
• Assist the programme team in developing human stories for publication
• Assist State Programme Coordinator in conducting annual and quarterly planning and review processes.
• Support the eventual design and dissemination of research studies by providing relevant input
• Assist the MERO, State Programme Coordinator, and Programme Manager in developing quarterly and annual reports
• Assist the State Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager in developing annual and quarterly work plans and budgets for the project
• Assist State Programme Coordinator in reviewing programme plans as part of the learning and sharing process
• Provide strategic support towards the putting in place and use of the Programme M&E Framework and support plans and activities of the Programme.
• Share learning with the wider UP country programme team
• Support partners in improving learning and sharing mechanisms in their programmes
• Promote a culture of two-way learning in UP more widely
• Work collaboratively with the State Programme Coordinator and programme team to strengthen integration and cross-learning in the country programme
• Show an eagerness to take on any other tasks where appropriate by the line-manager

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to United Purpose’s Vision, Mission and Values
• At least a Diploma in Public Health, Sanitation Engineering, Rural Development, Social Sciences or field related to WASH
• Knowledge and understanding of working with LGAs and community-based organisations
• Strong experience and understanding of the Nigerian WASH sector and the state landscape/priorities.

Experience:

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in implementing Market-Based Sanitation (MBS) projects Or other related market-based projects.
• Relevant knowledge and experience in Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programming.
• Good experience with implementing Menstrual Health and Hygiene projects in schools and communities.
• Good experience and understanding of WASH in Schools (WiNs) interventions.
• Two to three years of relevant experience in sanitation projects, funded by international donors, including expertise in technical reporting
• Strong experience in report writing.
• Proven track record of capacity building/training for stakeholders, including at the community level and for local institutions.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of community-based approaches to development.

Skills:

• Excellent planning, coordination, and prioritisation skills
• Strong facilitation, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills
• Good command of the English language and written and verbal fluency.
• Good knowledge of the local language of the LGA.
• Excellent communication and team-working skills with the ability to build good relations, both internally and externally.
• Experience with data collection and management.
• Good computer knowledge with command of MS Office
• Ability to facilitate training for community-based organisations and government stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse and performance-related environment
• A proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Desirable:

• Gender and intercultural sensitivity
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times
• Positive outlook and stand-alone disposition.
• Adaptable and responsive disposition relative to the demands and development of the Programme.

Languages:

• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Hausa and/or Yoruba is a plus.

Salary and Benefits
An attractive package dependent on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Deadline: 30th June, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to:CV and a Cover Letter to: nigeria@united-purpose.org

Important Notice
In the cover letter, please ensure to explain the following:

• Why you are applying for the position
• How do your skills and experience meet the person’s specification
• When you would be able to take up the position if it were offered to you.

Note

• E-mail title must be the Name of the role you are applying for and preferred location (when applicable).
• You are recommended to apply early, as applications will be assessed as they are received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• United Purpose is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against applicants on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation. United Purpose also has a Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy, which reflects our commitment to protecting the people with whom we work. All candidates will be expected to comply with this policy and its procedures