Save the Children: Project Officer

Job ProfileJob Title:  Project Officer                                                                 
Fixed Term: Fixed term contract
Reports to: Project Manager
Grade: 12-13
Base:  Limpopo (Polokwane) or Free State (Thabo Mofutsanyane)
Child Protection Level: 3
Travel Requirements:  Travel mainly in Province
Budget Responsibilities: None
Asset Responsibilities: Own assets and those used by others
External Representation: Regular

CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Save the Children South Africa has a zero tolerance towards the abuse and exploitation of children by any of our representatives, and we are equally committed to doing everything within our power to avoid unintended harm or accidents to children as a result of any of our activities.

Child Protection Level 3:  The role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

JOB PURPOSE:

Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) is currently implementing an innovative health project in the Limpopo (Capricorn District) and Free State (Thabo Mofutsanyane District) “the Sireletsa Bana project” which has received a one-year project extension until May 31^st 2020. The long-term goal of this project is to contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five living in the two provinces in South Africa by 2020. Specifically, the project aims to increase access to quality health services by strengthening health and nutrition initiatives in Early Childhood Development (ECD).

There are 2 vacant positions for 1 Project Officers to be based in the Limpopo Provincial office (in Polokwane) and 1 in the Free State Provincial Office in Thabo Mofutsanyane (in QwaQwa). The Project Officers will be responsible for direct implementation of the project activities. The Project Officers will work under the supervision of the Project Managers in the province they are working in.

1. Project system and plan implementation:
   • Conduct daily project activities as stated in the annual implementation plan (i.e. training, mentoring etc.);
   • Manage project implementation challenges and interact with the Project Manager in the province;
   • Specific implementation duties:
     • Provide mentoring and follow up support site visits to the 75 target Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres (per province) and ECD Supervisors/Practitioners trained through accredited ECD training courses in phase I of the project (2016 to 2019).
     • Co-ordinate the continued strengthening of ECD stakeholder forums;
     • Identify further learning and support needs for the target ECD Centre’s;
     • Provide support to selected 15 ECD centres (per province) to become Health Promoting centres of excellence;
     • Provide training and mentoring for the selected 150 Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) (per province) in relation to the National Department of Health Training Package for the standardised scope of work for CHWs;
     • Provide training and mentoring for the 150 CHWs (per Province) to co-ordinate, conduct and sustain Breastfeeding Support Groups (BFSGs) in the community (in conjunction with PHC facilities);
     • Provide training and mentoring to selected community based organisations to co-ordinate, conduct and sustain Child Health Awareness days (CHADS)
     • Coordinate the distribution of relevant project related IEC materials to ECD centres
2. Monitoring of project performance and progress of the annual implementation plan:
   • Conduct daily, weekly and monthly project data collection according to the specifications of the project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework and tracker;
   • Manage and implement field mid-line and end line assessments including training of enumerators;
3. Project quality improvement:
   • Implement project activities according to the set quality benchmarks for the Health and Nutrition programme;
   • Facilitate project quality benchmark audits and create reports and action plans in response;
   • Prepare for project quarterly reviews and report according to the results framework.
4.  Project reporting:
   • Develop quality monthly project implementation progress reports (both narrative and data);
5.  Programme knowledge management:
   • Facilitate project documentation i.e. developing project case stories (good practice stories, case studies etc.)
6. Stakeholder Management and development:
   • Establish new and essential sustainable stakeholder relationships within the district of implementation and local level;
   • Strengthen existing sustainable stakeholder relationships at all district and local level.
   • Develop and update the project stakeholder database.

NB The employee will be required and expected to execute any lawful instruction given by the line manager or delegated person.

BEHAVIOR AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES (Living the Values)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds colleagues accountable to deliver on their responsibilities — giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale
• Focused on achieving external impact for the campaign

Collaboration:

• Clear ability to understand other people’s perspective and address reasonable concerns and needs
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, members and external partners
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Ubuntu:

• We endeavour to treat everyone with respect, empathy and compassion.

Passion:

• We value passion, determination, perseverance and the sense of urgency. We believe in adopting a realistically positive and optimistic attitude towards everything we do because this inspires others to share the same outlook.

Learning:

• We believe in creating a learning organisation in which staff members commit themselves to personal growth and, in so doing, seek and share knowledge and information.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant Social Sciences, health or nutrition field;
• At least 2-year experience of working in the health/ECD sector:
• Experience in working with vulnerable children and in implementing community interventions;
• Grade 12 proficiency with English and one other relevant local language;
• Experience working within an NGO;
• Current Driving licence;

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

Excellent organisational and co-ordination skills Capacity building including facilitation, training and mentoring skills Ability to work as part of a team Effective verbal and written communication skills Demonstrable ability to form good relationships and work well with District and Local Level government NGO partners and key community stakeholders

Demonstrable skills and proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Sound work ethics; and ability to work independently Analytical skills Excellent interpersonal skills Innovative and dynamic Passion for the well-being of others, especially children

To apply: Send your CV to [email protected]