IOM - Project Assistant

IOM is looking for two (2) Project Assistant/Community Facilitation Specialist (Agriculture) according to the terms of reference below. Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting their application to hrbandaaceh@ iom.int not later than 8 August 2008 indicating the reference code below and job title. All candidates are requested to specify their availability date in the application form. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Reference Code : SVN/IDI/2008/ 103
Job Title : Project Assistant/Community Facilitation Specialist
(Agriculture)
Duty Station : Takengon and Kutacane, NAD,Indonesia
Classification : Employee, Grade 4
Estimate Starting Date : As soon as possible
Duration of Contract : 3 months with possible extension

General Functions:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Field Coordinator (FC), the Project Manager (PM), and the overall supervision of the Program Manager (Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration Program), Post-Conflict Reintegration Program in Banda Aceh, the incumbent will provide program support duties to field office projects. In particular, s/he will:

1. Provide technical support to local partners and other team members in monitoring and evaluation of local partners, community facilitation methods and approaches used in conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses, in addition to providing technical advice and support in relation to, but not limited to, any and all agricultural projects.
2. Mentoring of new and existing IOM and Local Partner (LP) staff, and assisting with achieving the Support Conflict Affected for Community Project (SCACP) team’s project outputs (specific to but not limited to agriculture) as defined in project documents.
3. Provide advice and feedback on project planning and implementation to the FC, PM and team.
4. Work closely with the FC, SCACP Focal Point, PM, team members and LPs/ local government staff by making meaningful contributions in team planning and detailed implementation planning;
5. Collaborate with team members and local partners to regularly collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative agricultural data from all Self-Help Groups (SHGs)/LPs on a daily basis, recording all data in tracking sheets. Track and document LP/SHG grant rotations;
6. Provide on-site technical assistance and supervision to SHGs, LPs and IOM staff as necessary/ as delegated by the FC/ PM; guidance to LPs in their interaction with SHGs specific to agricultural techniques and best practices (especially relating to organic practices), including the drafting of agriculture business plans;
7. Provide guidance to SHG members specific to agricultural techniques and best practices (especially relating to organic practices) including the drafting of agriculture business plans and action plans by SHG;
8. Create LP/ SHG narrative monthly progress reports, highlighting primary successes and failures;
9. Work with SHG, LPs, and local government staff to identify joint agricultural projects and trainings; solicit and work with local partners (and also SHGs) to develop agriculture projects;
10. Conduct weekly meetings with local partner agriculture/ other staff to identify issues, delays, and bottlenecks, strategize solutions, and analyze LP/ SHG progress;
11. Promote and disseminate Community-Appropria te Technologies knowledge based upon the manual, and solicit project proposals based on this model;
12. Collaborate with team members/LPs in guiding the agriculture segments of community-appropria te technologies project;
13. Work with LPs/ SHGs/ local government to promote environmentally friendly agriculture by application of organic agriculture techniques;
14. Work with LPs/ SHGs/ local government to manage all LP organic agriculture demonstration plots, including the development of a plan for future and expanded use of demonstration plots and dissemination of such techniques to the wider community;
15. Work with LPs/ SHGs/ local government to undertake market chain analysis of self-help group agricultural products;
16. Conduct regular meetings and interaction with local government dept of agriculture and other sub-district- level officials;
17. Monitor local government extension agents seconded to local partners; design trainings and progress plans for said employees.
18. Identification of future trainings for all IOM/LP/Local Government staff and SHG members;
19. Prepare weekly reports to the FC/ Project Manager on issues requiring their attention.
20. Attend meetings as requested by the FC/ PM;
21. Perform other tasks as assigned by the FC/ PM.

Desirable Qualifications

S1 degree in agriculture or a closely related field. Thorough proficiency in current agricultural best practices especially relating to organics. Three year’s field experience minimum in agricultural projects within an international development setting. Proven leadership and initiative within a team environment. Strong management, administrative, and organizational skills. Preparedness to multitask under pressure and meet deadlines. Strong familiarity with all MSOffice applications. Grant management and general livelihood experience required. Experience in Aceh Tengah, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, and Aceh Tenggara an advantage, as is knowledge of local languages (Bahasa Gayo, Batak, Alas, Kluet, Aceh etc).

English language proficiency preferred but not required.
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