Project Officer

Introduction and Background:

The project has been designed drawing on the technical and operational strengths of WHH in the strategic pillar of ‘Sustainable and Inclusive Food Systems’, hence titled, ‘Building Resilience through improved Food and Nutrition Security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab and Baluchistan’. The project is funded by ‘The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ with an eligible period of 36 months (01.09.2023 – 31.08.2026).

WHH and partners are proposing an integrated multi-sectoral (Agriculture/NRM, WASH, Nutrition and DRR), multi-province (one district each in KP, Punjab, Baluchistan) project with an aim to improve the food and nutrition situation for most vulnerable, particularly women and children, through multi-sectoral, integrated approaches, and linking nutrition-sensitive with nutrition-specific interventions; while investing in the resilience of at-risk communities and local authorities through strategies to enable anticipation and preparedness for 18,108 households (approx. 126,756 individuals). The project is primarily a scale-up as well as expansion on existing SFNS – Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security work (through previous projects) in District Shangla (KP), District Muzaffargarh (Punjab) and expansion in District Jhal Magsi (Baluchistan) through local partners. This position specifically requires an experience in working on multi-sectoral approaches to achieve nutrition outcomes, along with an understanding of Early-Warning-Systems (EWS) to manage disaster risks affecting agriculture and farming communities.

All activities will be implemented, and partnership is maintained through a gender-responsive and nutrition-sensitive lens, mainstreaming protection, accountability, and Do No Harm principles. An important part of this role will be coordination between WHH, IPs, and major stakeholders. The position holder would be responsible for the smooth implementation of project along with donor compliance on behalf of Welthungerhilfe in KP, Punjab and Baluchistan provinces. Providing support to the implementing partner and donor compliance is the core responsibility of the position. Extensive travel in the KP, Punjab and Sind are also a requirement with long stay and field trips.

Position:

Project Officer is an entry level role reporting to Project Coordinator (henceforth PC) exclusively. His primary area as Project Officer (henceforth PO) is to focus and support project management and implementation as per his/her assigned responsibilities. PO will be responsible in managing the project & program’s roles and SOPs. He/she will also assist in extend necessary technical backstopping to implementing partners on behalf of PC as well can contribute with PC for capacity building trainings, technical support, and mentorship to the teams of partner organizations.

The aim of this position is to assist in managing and implementing the projects based on specified directives in terms of content, schedule, and budget. The project is carried out in accordance with Welthungerhilfe standards and the directives/provisions of the co-financer. PO is responsible for assisting the PC for effective implementation of the project(s) and the appropriate use of funds, resources, in close coordination with the PC and Partners. He/she is responsible to assist for Plan, implement and closing of project/ interventions, timely coordination, realistic planning, timely and effective communication, and technical support through PC for implementation, correctly.

3.1.  Project cycle Management

• Actively engage in all aspects of project management by assisting PC for prioritizing timely and high-quality results, teamwork, empowerment, accountability, and client focus.
• Provide technical support and ensure quality assurance for emergency-related interventions, guided by the Project Coordinator.
• Conduct frequent field visits in collaboration with implementing partners, aiming proactive engagement, support, and technical backstopping at the ground level.
• Maintain effective coordination and communication with stakeholders, with a particular focus on achieving stakeholder satisfaction, including implementing partners and other project stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely and meticulous documentation and reporting of field visit observations. This includes progress updates, challenges encountered, and actionable recommendations to facilitate smooth project implementation.
• Collaborate with the Project Coordinator to shape the project's strategic direction, focusing on program design, implementation, and accountability.
• Assist partners in developing and updating project work plans, aligning them with clear objectives, achievement benchmarks, and short-term and long-term priorities, as per programmatic vision and strategies.
• Represent the project team at meetings, conferences, and workshops when required, providing updates, reports, and critical field analysis to the Project Coordinator.
• Maintain a commitment to frequent field travel to provide ongoing support to partner field teams, ensuring the successful execution of program activities.

3.2.  Project Compliance

• Ensuring overall Project/program quality, effectiveness, and accountability, in accordance with humanitarian assistance core standards, program sector technical standards, donor requirements, country regulations, and WHH organizational mission, standards and operating principles.
• Ensure the monitoring of project interventions regularly to maintain quality delivery.
• Support PC for analyse project expenditures against budget, and coordinate with relevant department/staff on invoicing of clients
• Collect documentation of the project related issues, reports, proposals etc. as directed by the Project Coordinator from time to time.
• Prepare, review and/or edit project progress reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, etc.) to ensure quality, and work with supervisor and field team to revise target goals if necessary. Apprise supervisor/management of any critical issues as they arise.

3.3.  Project Coordination

• Collaborate closely with a multitude of counterparts, including implementing partners and technical experts from the Consortium lead (if applicable), to support the Project Coordinator's initiatives.
• Work in tight coordination with project teams and partner organizations (NGOs) to assist in achieving overall grant objectives, deliverables, and compliance within donor guidelines on behalf of the Project Coordinator.
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key partners and counterparts, acting as a support bridge between them and the Project Coordinator. This includes government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors operating in project areas.
• Maintain a productive working relationship with key stakeholders working in the sector to support the Project Coordinator's efforts in knowledge sharing on standard methodologies and implementation across project areas.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure effective support to the field, assisting in providing accurate information to the field regarding implementation and regulations on behalf of the Project Coordinator.
• Represent the project team at meetings, conferences, and workshops as needed, providing valuable support in delivering updates, reports, and critical field analysis. These contributions are made on behalf of and in support of the Program Lead.

3.4.  Partnership management

• Provide assistance to partners in delivering quality outcomes related to emergencies, early recovery, and rehabilitation efforts. Additionally, process, obtain, and maintain key data from partners and reporting lines.
• Support the capacity building process for both WHH staff and partner organizations, in line with guidance from the Project Coordinator. This includes planning and final documentation.
• Actively participate in various aspects of overall project management, emphasizing timely and high-quality results, teamwork, participation, empowerment, accountability, and a client-centric approach, all under the guidance of the Project Coordinator.
• Collaborate with various counterparts, including implementing partners and technical experts from the Consortium lead (if applicable), to facilitate the successful execution of project activities.
• Offer technical support in project implementation and quality assurance for emergency-related interventions as directed and guided by the Project Coordinator.
• Assist in providing program strategy, technical insights, and managerial support for program development, ensuring the achievement of program goals and objectives, as well as quality outcomes.
• Play a role in ensuring overall project/program quality, effectiveness, and accountability in accordance with humanitarian assistance core standards, program sector technical standards, donor requirements, country regulations, and WHH organizational mission, standards, and operating principles, under the guidance of the Project Coordinator.
• Contribute to technical/sector coordination efforts, briefings, meetings, and provide feedback and advice to program management while assisting the partners' team with technical backstopping.
• Be responsible for monitoring program development, design, and resource acquisition, adhering to high standards of timeliness and effectiveness.
• Support the Project Coordinator in shaping the strategic direction of the country program, ensuring quality program design, implementation, and accountability.
• Collaborate closely with project teams and partner organizations (NGOs) to work towards achieving overall grant objectives, deliverables, and compliance within donor guidelines.
• Provide management and technical support to partners in the development/updating of project work plans, ensuring clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, aligned with programmatic vision and strategies.
• Cultivate effective working relationships with key partners and counterparts, including government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders operating in project areas.
• Foster productive working relationships with key stakeholders in the sector, promoting knowledge sharing on standard methodologies and implementation across project areas.
• Assist partners in delivering quality outcomes related to emergencies, early recovery, and rehabilitation efforts. This includes processing, obtaining, and maintaining key data from partners and reporting lines.
• Analyze project expenditures against budget and coordinate with relevant departments/staff regarding client invoicing.
• Represent the project team at meetings, conferences, and workshops as needed, providing updates, reports, and critical field analysis to inform the Program Lead, acting on behalf of the Project Coordinator.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure effective field support and the provision of accurate information to the field regarding implementation and regulations.
• Document project-related issues, reports, proposals, etc., as directed by the project coordinator from time to time.
• Oversee the capacity building process for partner organization Project staff, following the guidance provided by the Project Coordinator, from planning to final documentation.
• Engage in frequent travel to the field to monitor program implementation and offer meaningful assistance to partner field teams.
• Coordinate collect and prepare, review, and/or edit project progress reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, etc.) to ensure quality. Collaborate with the supervisor and field team to revise target goals if necessary, and promptly communicate critical issues to Project coordinator for management feedback and support.

6.1.  Knowledge and Qualification

• A university degree in any relevant discipline.
• 2 to 4 years' professional experience working in the relevant sector.
• Working experience with a partnership approach.
• Fluent in English, Urdu (written and oral), Good knowledge of local language(s) would be an added value.

6.2.  Computer Skills

• MS Office [Word, Excel].
• MS Office 365
• MS PowerPoint for general and Project Presentations.
• Ability to learn any WHH Recommended/in-use Project Management Software.

6.3.  Professional Skills Set & Behavioral Traits

• Knowledge of sectoral Concepts and Applications.
• Knowledge of Fundamentals of Project Management.
• Conceptualization and Analytical Skills.
• Conflict Management Skills.
• Time and Stress Management Skills.
• Adaptive leadership and management
• A Sharp Sense of Confidentiality & Professional Ethics.
• Ability to cope and adjust in a tropical climate.
• Ability to manage own work priorities.
• Ability to work in a multicultural team.
• Qualified applicants from Baluchistan are preferable. Moreover; to expedite the recruitment process applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Welthungerhilfe values diversity and ensures an inclusive, non-discriminatory working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community."