The Project Assistant will support the implementation of the Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector Project contributing to timely implementation of project activities, stakeholders’ engagement and consultation, team management, monitoring and evaluation, financial planning and management, and communication with stakeholders at all levels.

The position requires familiarity with the context in which the project is being implemented, experience in community engagement, and capacity for critical thinking and adaptation based on learnings and findings during the implementation period. The position holder will report to the Project Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities:  

Project planning, implementation, and budget management:

▪ Plan, design and ensure delivery of project activities at the LGA level in line with the Project Activity Implementation Plan (PAIP) and Self Help Africa’s Operations Guideline.

▪ Coordinate with project stakeholders at the LGA level including community partners, farmers groups, local government, Extension Officers and other stakeholders.

▪ Monitor and ensure planned activities are implemented at the LGA level as per PAIP and budget allocations.

▪ Provide strategic and technical support to field teams (Extension Officers), farmers groups, community partners, and other stakeholders to ensure on-time implementation of project activities at LGA level.

▪ Provide technical support to field teams in designing and conducting capacity building activities for Small Holder Farmers Groups as per capacity development plan.

▪ Ensure that at the LGA level, there is budgetary compliance with grant agreement and both SHA and CCAC financial and procurement policies.

▪ Employ the highest standards of openness, transparency and accountability to ensure good financial management in line with SHA’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption.

Networking, coordination and advocacy:

▪ Conduct in-person outreach with partners at the LGA level, project stakeholders, Extension Officers, Farmers, and community leaders.

▪ Work with project stakeholders at all levels, and Extension Officers in developing training guide to facilitate Farmers Field School activities on No-burn Alternatives and Climate Smart Agriculture.

▪ Provide strategic and technical support to field teams in building and maintaining cohesive coordination with the local government authorities.

▪ Work with Project stakeholders at the LGA level, and Extension Officers in developing training guide to facilitate Farmers Field School activities on No-burn Alternatives and Climate Smart Agriculture.

▪ Support the development/identification of training modules, SBCC (Social Behavior Change Communication), IEC (Information, Education and Communication) and promotional materials.

▪ Tailor SBCC and IEC materials to local and project context in coordination with stakeholders at all levels.

▪ Ensure organisational and donor visibility during implementation of activities.

Knowledge management, monitoring, reporting and safeguarding:

▪ Provide support to MEAL team for the tracking and monitoring of progress, data collection, database administration, documentation of the project’s impacts and results, and M&E related support at the LGA level as required.

▪ Support the M&E teams efforts to document the project’s achievements, results, learnings and impacts.

▪ Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per the approved format summarizing the progress made in implementing activities, lessons learnt, and recommendations for improvement.

▪ Monitor risks that arise in the course of project implementation, and implement rapid risk mitigation measures including effective communication to all stakeholders.

▪ Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding, protection, gender mainstreaming and inclusion of vulnerable population including people with disabilities.

▪ Support the setup of feedback, complaints and response mechanism across communities of implementation to ensure programmatic and operational decisions are informed by local perspectives and priorities, and contribute to the protection of program participants.

Education and other qualifications:
▪ Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, social science, community development or related field.

▪ ICT operation, and proficiency in MS Office.

Experience:

▪At least 4 years of project implementation experience in an international development organisation/INGO/NGO.

▪ Experience in the field of Climate Change, Agroforestry, Natural Resource Management and community mobilisation.

▪ Experience in capacity building and development of farmer groups and extension workers.

▪ Knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

▪ Experience working with culturally diverse teams.

Skills:

▪ Project management and implementation

▪ Gender sensitivity and Respect for cultural diversity

▪ Team spirit and openness to learning

▪ Monitoring, evaluation and learning

▪ Communication, networking, facilitation and mobilisation

▪ Organisational development

▪ Reporting and documentation

Language Requirements:

▪ Excellent written and oral proficiency in English language is required and relevant local language competency is an added advantage.