Program Officer Lusaka Child Development Agency (LKCDA)

Summary

The core purpose of this role is to oversee the implementation of programs and sponsorship activities at the community level. Apart from that, the Program Officer is to ensure community mobilization and engagement to ascertain the program participation of children and families.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE AND NETWORKING.

• Support the design and implementation of programs and projects at community level.
• Timely submission of narrative and success reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual reports)
• Strengthen volunteer participation in program implementation.
• Directing, managing and be accountable for community operation in accordance with the organizations and donor requirements
• Building capacity of the community leadership and other partners to manage community-based projects.
• Building positive and productive contacts and relations with communities and enrolled families
• The link between the Community Association and LKCDA.
• The secretary to the Community Association Board
• Ensure community financial records are properly maintained.
• Mentoring community volunteers to effectively monitor implementation of programs and projects.

SPONSORSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Providing oversight of sponsor relations in communities
• Provide support, guidance, training to families, and monitor sponsor relation activities.
• Work with the Community Volunteers to ensure that sponsored children and families participate and benefit from the programs implemented by LKCDA.
• Support the design of community growth plan, enrollment process of children and monitoring availability of the children.
• Ensuring that sponsor relations activities are carried out in a timely and professional manner
• Ensuring that the children write letters, timely deliver them to LKCDA according to schedule
• Maintaining a high standard of stewardship and accountability for all resources entrusted to him/her.
• Track and record assistance given to each enrolled child.
• Maintaining up-to-date children’s information, and folders.
• Ensuring timely submission of quality SR reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, and other reports).
• Disbursing and monitoring use of Designated Fund Certificate (gifts for children).
• Develop a comprehensive beneficiary list for all projects.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Provide effective representation of interests of children and youths among the partners and networks at the community level.
• Ensuring that parents, community members, children and youths actively participate in project review and planning meetings.
• Mentoring Community Volunteers to effectively accomplish their community assignments.
• Encouraging active participation of community leadership in project activities.
• Ensure a good understanding, appreciation, and adherence to child protection issues/ policies among participants/ stakeholders monitoring and reporting any child abuse cases to relevant authorities.
• Liaising with institutions in the community, government departments and structures in planning and implementation of programs that benefit children in the community.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Development studies, Community Development, Project Management or any other related field.
• Extensive experience of more than 5 years in programming will be accepted in lieu of the Bachelor’s Degree
• More than 2 years of experience in development work.
• Excellent people skills, commitment to work and history of adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills; solid field experience within the field of community development is required.
• Demonstrated experience in the development sector.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking
• Knowledge and understanding of children’s issues
• Good facilitation and community mobilization skills
• Experience in working with diverse and multicultural environment
• Experience in working with government and other development agencies
• Ability to work independently and under tight time constraints.
• Computer proficiency in general office software applications (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Good written and oral communication skills in English; fluency in a local language required.