Program Officer

Job ID 1367

Program / Project Support Bangladesh   Heifer International Bangladesh Regional Office, Jashore


Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of specially-abled.
 
FUNCTION
The Program Officer will serve in accordance with Heifer Bangladesh vision, mission, goal, objectives, policies, and procedures. S/he will Coordinate with thematic lead to provide oversight in social capital, supply chain, market system development and cooperative development aspects of the project and provide strategic guidance and support to Project, Partners, SHGs, Cooperatives, and Local Governments for effective implementation of the Project. The Program Officer will collaborate with local government in project design, implementation, monitoring and provide support for the effective implementation. S/he will build the capacity of local partner and provide continuous backstopping for optimum project result.
 
RESPONSIBILIIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage effort)
 Ensure professional standards of work are implemented, maintained, and completed on time (50%)
  • Adopt appropriate strategies and plan to meet the goal and targets of the project
  • Prepare required standard guidelines for effective implementation impacting target communities.
  • Prepare Detail Implementation Plan (DIP), facilitate implementation and track progress regularly.
  • Support project partner to start up and implementation of the projects with good and adequate understanding of Project agreement.
  • Provide backstopping to project partners, private sector partners, Cooperative, on program management. 
  • Support and coordinate with the admin and finance team to ensure project’s operations, legal and auditorial compliances are met. 
  • Support to transform the Coops as sustainable business hubs (business aggregation center, transport support, quality input and output market linking).
  •  Collaborate and closely work with thematic leads and ensure quality in project service delivery.
  • Ensure effective mobilization of project staff to ensure quality. 
  • Maintain transparency, code of conduct and meet donor compliance during project implementation.
     Coordination, Monitoring, and Reporting (30%)
    • Visit and supervision of the project sites, collaborate with farmers, SHGs, SHG networks, cooperatives with the purpose of understanding the context, monitor progress, and a follow up on recommendations. 
    • Reporting of the progress and discuss next steps as appropriate. 
    • Collaborate and develop strong working relationship with local government for smooth project implementation.
    • Coordinate with related private sector (market actors, BFIs, insurance companies etc.) and ensure required services are delivered 
    • Good Governance established in cooperative businesses with transparency and accountability.
    • Ensure the project milestones, objectives and requirements are fulfilled.
     Networking and Technical support and Backstopping (15%)
    • Develop and maintain a sound network of government, other stakeholder, project partners and counterparts.
    • Develop and maintain links with relevant professional bodies.
    • Ensure the capacity building of project partners, including training and backstopping.
    • Create enabling environment to tap and disburse resources.
    • Cooperative formation and capacity building.
    • Linkage stablishes between Value chain actors/Buyers.
    • Support Small Holder farmers, Lead farmers, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives to leverage resources from local government, provincial government, and other opportunities. 
     May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)
     QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
    • A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from a recognized university in Business Administration, Rural Development Studies, Business Studies, Agriculture or related field.  
    • Minimum four (4) years’ experience in a similar context is required.  Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements.
    • Experience in training facilitation and training curriculum development using participatory methodologies.
    • Experience in leading/facilitating business development/market linkages/access to finance or development of business and production plans.
    • Knowledge in agriculture cooperative development.
    • Fluent in local language and English – both spoken and written.
    • Possess a working knowledge on sustainable livelihoods, value chain and market development.
    • Knowledge of community organizations – SHGs, farmer producer groups, etc.
    • Experience of field data collection.
    • Good analytical skills and ability to verify information.

     ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES: 

    • Ability to prepare and present documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
    • Good team player with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in several locations.
    • Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
    • Ability to perform multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
    • Willingness to work with a flexible schedule.
    • Willingness to extensively travel to rural areas.
    • Able to effectively promote Heifer’s mission values, and objectives.
    • Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and to gender equity.

    Number of positions: 02

    Location: Heifer International Bangladesh Regional Office, Jashore and Rajshahi
    Application Deadline: December 22, 2024