πΈπ± Job Vacancies @ CAFOD – 3 Positions
CAFOD is recruiting to fill the following positions:
1.) Project Officer (x2)
2.) Terms of Reference
See job details and how to apply below.
1.) Project Officer (x2)
Job Title: Project Officer
Contract Duration: Fixed contract for Nine (9) Months
No. of Person: Two (2) Persons
Duty Station: Bombali and Bo Districts.
JOB SUMMARY
CAFOD works in partnership with local partners and faith-based organizations in Sierra Leone, supportingΒ them amplify the voiceless and reaching people and communities beyond reach. CAFOD is supporting the Inter Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) to implement the βWomenβs Voice and Engagement forΒ Peaceβ project and is seeking the recruitment of Project Officers to be based in Bombali and Bo districts respectively. The Project Officers would be responsible to support in the implementation of the βWomenβsΒ Voice and Engagement for Peaceβ project in Bombali and Bo District. They will be tasked with implementingΒ project activities to support the projects objectives at district and community levels, as well as reporting toΒ the General Secretary of IRCSL. They will also support to facilitate in the identification, assessment, andΒ training of women in the 8 selected chiefdoms in the two districts.
CAFOD AND IRCSL IN BRIEF
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the official development and humanitarianΒ agency of the Bishopsβ Conference of England and Wales and part of the global Caritas family. CAFODβs wayΒ of working is through partnership, both civil society and private sector. CAFOD believes in investing in theΒ capacity of local partners; promoting ownership and responsibility; facilitating the flow of resources andΒ knowledge to the point of need, rather than duplicating efforts or direct implementation by outsiders inΒ unknown contexts. As an enabling agency, CAFOD also supports partners to facilitate change at communityΒ level, ensuring communities have the spaces, skills and tools to exert their rights.
The Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) is an interfaith organisation working on, inter alia,Β national reconciliation, health and religious harmony. The IRCSL came into existence to facilitate interfaithΒ collaboration as part of efforts to end the countryβs civil conflict. Inaugurated in 1997, it is composed ofΒ adherents of the two main religions in Sierra Leone β Christianity and Islam. The organisation has a networkΒ of clergy and imams in every part of the country, from village, town, chiefdom, and district, to national levels.Β They are entrusted with undertaking sensitisation, awareness raising and community education. Its coreΒ values and mission include the fundamental responsibility to promote interfaith dialogue, promote peacefulΒ co-existence in communities and provide spiritual, moral guidance for congregations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Work in collaboration with IRCSLβs District Coordinators to organize, implement, supervise and monitor the projectΒ activities and report to the General Secretary of IRCSL with committed accountability to CAFODβs Programme Officer onΒ quarterly submissions of project narrative report.Β The responsibilities will include:
Participate in the Training of Trainers facilitated by the Lead Consultant on Civic Roles &Β Responsibilities, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Rapid Conflict Assessments, GenderΒ Championing & Peaceful Masculinities.
Lead in the development to tailor training contents according to the target audience in communities,Β especially the women at chiefdom level.
Lead the development implementation plans in consultations with the General Secretary, FinanceΒ Officer and District Coordinators of the IRCSL.
Support in organizing programs and activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of theΒ project.
Work in collaboration with the District Coordinators to identify, select and training of the women onΒ the various training packages identified in the project.
Lead community engagements and mobilization meetings to raise awareness and providesΒ constructive feedbacks.
Facilitate religious leadersβ sessions with men and boys focusing on combatting negative socialΒ norms, practices and stereotypes.
Facilitate the development and signing of Community Peace Commitments in the selectedΒ chiefdoms.
Facilitate chiefdom to chiefdom and district to district exchange visits to translate cross learningΒ among targeted women in selected chiefdoms working on Civic Roles & Responsibilities, AlternativeΒ Dispute Resolution (ADR), Rapid Conflict Assessments, Gender Championing & PeacefulΒ Masculinities.
Develop projects utilizing tools to effectively gather data and other relevant information forΒ reporting.
Ensure that the project is on track and challenges are dealt with through regular project reviewΒ process.
Provide technical support, and team coordination, including ongoing technical guidance and supportΒ with the women trained with the responsibility to translate the knowledge in their respectiveΒ communities.
Maintain oversight of project budgets for field operations and ensure proper controls andΒ compliance.
Conduct regular field monitoring and supervision of project activities.
Provide weekly or monthly updates to the General Secretary and submit quarterly and end ofΒ project narrative reports to CAFOD.
Requirements
Person Specification β Essential Requirements
Qualification
A minimum of first degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Gender and Development Studies, otherΒ Social Sciences, or a similar relevant field.
Additional related courses would be an added advantage.
Experience
At least 2 to 5 years of experience in implementing peacebuilding, gender and civic education projects.Β oΒ Experience working within the NGO sector.
Experience in working in projects that worked with vulnerable women.
Experience in budgetary and financial controls of field operation activity budget
Experience in working with team and playing supervisory roles.
Demonstrable experience in promoting peace, gender and social cohesion in communities.Β Β Experience in training and field use of quantitative data collection methods.
Good knowledge of the area and local customs.
Previous work experience in project location highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies
Technical knowledge of mediating and dialogue creation processes in conflict situations.Β oΒ Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to prepare budgets and control expenses.
Highly organized, with excellent planning, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Competent in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel).
Fluency (written and spoken) in English and ability to communicate one predominant local language in theΒ district.
Must be able to work on their own and able to manage multiple tasks.
Plan, coordinate and organize workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competingΒ deadlines.
TO APPLY
Applicants are required to submit application package via email address to [email protected]Β and copyΒ Β [email protected]Β with mail subject indicating βWOVEN Project Officer β Name of Applicant and forΒ which duty station (i.e., Bombali or Bo)β. All Candidateβs Cover Letter and Resume (CV) must be submitted on orΒ Β before Friday,Β Β 3rdΒ March 2023 5:00pm GMT.
2.) Terms of Reference
TERMS OF REFERENCEΒ
FINAL EVALUATION ON YOUTH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH STRENGTHENEDΒ VEGETABLE VALUE CHAINS IN KAMBIA AND PORT LOKO DISTRICTS, SIERRA LEONE.
Funding Partner: European Union
Contract Number: FED/2019/411-235Β
Project Title:Β | Youth Economic Empowerment through Strengthened VegetableΒ Value Chains in Sierra Leone. |
Contracting AuthorityΒ | National Authorising Office (NAO) of Sierra Leone |
Lead Applicant and Co financer: | Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) Implementing |
ImplementingΒ Partners: | Kambia District Development and Rehabilitation OrganisationΒ (KADDRO) and JIM&K Agriculture Business Solutions |
TargetΒ Β Locations: | Kambia DistrictΒ β Gbinleh, Dixon, Masungbala and MagbemaΒ Chiefdoms and Port Loko DistrictΒ β Bureh and Loko Masama Chiefdoms. |
ProjectΒ Outcomes: | Outcome 1:Β Increased food and income security for medium scaleΒ youth-led farmer groups. Outcome 2:Β Enhanced performance of the local and nationalΒ vegetable value chain. |
DirectΒ Β Beneficiaries: | Directly target 402 (252 female, 150 male) unemployed, self employed and underemployed youth, with an emphasis on youngΒ women. |
Project Period:Β | 17thΒ December 2019 to 16thΒ March 2023. |
Final Evaluation:Β | February β March 2023 |
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATIONΒ
1.1.Β About CAFODΒ
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the official relief and development agencyΒ of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and a member of the Caritas Internationalis,
providing humanitarian assistance and development support in many countries worldwide withΒ the aim of protecting lives and relieving suffering during emergencies as well as reducing disasterΒ risks to vulnerable communities. CAFOD currently works in partnership with more than 500Β national nongovernmental organizations in about 40 countries, from those of all faiths, andΒ none. CAFOD Sierra Leone, does work in areas including Food and Livelihoods Security, RightsΒ and Participatory Governance and Emergency Preparedness Response and Recovery.
As part of our work in Resilience and Livelihood Support, CAFOD is undertaking a YouthΒ Empowerment through Agribusiness and the Strengthening of the Vegetable Value Chain projectΒ funded by the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security (BAFS) project and the EU. CAFOD SierraΒ Leone is implementing an EU funded project, Youth Economic Empowerment throughΒ Strengthened Vegetable Value Chains in Sierra Leone. The key focus for CAFOD and herΒ implementing partners (KADDRO is on βPromotion of Agribusiness and Innovative Farmingβ andΒ βSupport to short-scale value chains.
1.2. About the Sierra Leone Country ContextΒ
Sierra Leone is ranked one of six countries worldwide with alarming levels of hunger. SixtyΒ percent of the population lives on less than $1.25 per day. The highest number of food insecureΒ people are those who are engaged in smallholder farming, which is no surprise considering itΒ constitutes 77.3% of households in rural areas. Vegetable and fruit farmers are among the mostΒ vulnerable. Kambia and Port Loko are the two leading districts in poor food consumption. In bothΒ regions, most households are mainly engaged in agriculture, specifically crop farming (87.8% ofΒ households in Kambia and 79.1% of households in Port Loko), but more than 50% of theirΒ populations face moderate to severe food insecurity, the highest rates in the country. Over halfΒ of the chiefdoms in both districts have food insecurity levels of over 70%. High rates of povertyΒ among farming households can be attributed to the fact that farming in Sierra Leone isΒ characterized by environmentally degrading farming techniques, a lack of application ofΒ sustainable inputs, low yields, low income and limited investments on-farm. Farmers are largelyΒ dependent on manual cultivation, with little access to advanced tools, infrastructure andΒ sustainable inputs, greatly constraining potential production. A lack of diversified livelihoodΒ options has led to food and income insecurity. Within the local economy, there are fewΒ opportunities for poor people, especially women, who lack resources, information and theΒ capacity to experiment, adapt and establish new and innovative income-generating options. LowΒ incomes, lack of diversification and over-reliance on one income source mean many poorΒ families lack savings to fall back on in times of shocks or stresses. Climate change has led to moreΒ drastic environmental hazards and limits the poorβs ability to depend on natural resources forΒ their livelihoods. In addition, public policies have not been able to effectively support agri business initiatives for the poor. These elements were the key drivers for the intervention ofΒ CAFOD and its partners resonating with the rapid assessment carried out by project partners.
1.3. Project DescriptionΒ
The project is a response to the call to promote agribusiness and innovative farming in SierraΒ Leone through the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security (BAFS) project. The project isΒ contributing to the development of a diversified and efficient agriculture sector that promotesΒ sustainable growth and creates jobs by focusing on economic empowerment of youth throughΒ capacity development and job creation in the agricultural sector. At the same time, the initiativeΒ is also to support the collaboration of Private Sector, Farmers and Non-State Actors inΒ developing economic, social and environmentally sustainable Agriculture Value Chains byΒ contributing towards a vegetable value chain that is economically, environmentally and sociallyΒ sustainable. The project is directly targeting youth, especially young women, in the creation ofΒ medium-scale youth-managed farms. To ensure that these farms are sustainable, the projectΒ prioritize careful identification and capacity-strengthening of youth, land planning andΒ management, and enhanced coordination among value chain actors. The environmental impactΒ of each farm was carefully assessed and the most sustainable and profitable methods forΒ production will be prioritized. Technical support on production, marketing and value chainΒ addition were also be provided. The project is to facilitate sustainable service provision and willΒ use social media and digital platforms to enhance connections between youth, strengthenΒ information-sharing and access to markets, as well as offer ongoing technical support andΒ financial services, including mobile money and linkages to lenders.
Overall ObjectiveΒ
The overall objective of the project is:Β βTo provide targeted economic empowerment andΒ resilience strengthening of key rural communities in Port Loko and Kambia Districts in SierraΒ Leoneβ. The final evaluation shall collect data on endline values for project indicators for theΒ outcomes and outputs as indicated in the project log frame, in order to monitor and measureΒ project progress towards the indicators throughout the period of implementation.
The Project objectives and Outputs are to:Β
Specific Objective 1:Β To increase food and income security for medium-scale youth-led farmerΒ groups.
β Output 1.1: Strengthened technical and financial capacity of youth in agriculture,Β vegetable production, marketing and sustainable business management.
β Output 1.2:Β Creation of viable employment opportunities for youth through engagementΒ in year-round production of enhanced breeds of tomatoes, sweet peppers and onionsΒ using environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
Specific Objective 2:Β To enhance the national and regional performance of the vegetable valueΒ chain.
β Output 2.1:Β Improved production and post-harvest of advanced breeds of vegetablesΒ through increased input and service options, access to markets and stronger networks andΒ coordination between value chain actors.
- STUDY OBJECTIVESΒ
The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess the projectβs overall performance andΒ establish whether the projectβs intended outputs and outcomes were achieved, providing a clearΒ explanation of why or why not for each result/situation. In addition, the consultant will examineΒ the design of the program. The specific objectives to be addressed by the evaluation are:
βͺΒ To assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of theΒ outputs and achievements of the project.
βͺΒ Drawing lessons learned for better implementation performance and for possible scalingΒ up.
βͺΒ Make recommendations to strengthen the impact and sustainability of achievementsΒ after the end of the project.
- EVALUATION SCOPE, FOCUS AND TIMELINEΒ Β
Evaluation FocusΒ Β
The evaluation will focus on the projectβs beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders in orderΒ to address the following issues:
- Analysis of the project Logframe.
- The review should place a focus on how similar projects might be improved in theΒ future, as well as limitations.
iii. Replicability and scaling-up of good practices and lessons learned analysis. In addition, it will cover the following:
βͺΒ The evaluation is expected to assess the entire financial and non-financial results of theΒ program and its management by the Implementing Partners per the OECD/DAC criteriaΒ (Likely Design, Impact, effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability).
βͺΒ The evaluator may adapt the evaluation criteria and questions, but any fundamentalΒ changes should be agreed between the CAFOD, Partners and the Evaluator and reflectedΒ in the inception report.
βͺΒ The evaluator will focus to analyze the design of the project (and beneficiariesβΒ participation into the design); and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the project
implementation by the partners (including CAFOD) within the agreed contractualΒ conditions.
βͺΒ Assess the program objectives, outcomes and recommend measures (if any).
βͺΒ Investigate the relevance of the project objectives and identify the program prioritiesΒ areas of interest and the needs of the beneficiaries. Hence, recommend means ofΒ incorporating those priorities for similar intervention.
βͺΒ Review the appropriateness and clarity of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholdersΒ and the level of coordination between them and the value chain actors.
βͺΒ Review the program concept and design to the clarity of the addressed problems by theΒ program and the soundness of the approaches adopted by the program team to solveΒ these problems.
βͺΒ Assess the performance of the program in terms of timeliness, quality, quantity, and cost effectiveness of the activities undertaken including project procurement.
βͺΒ Assess the application of the project strategies, principles and prospects of theΒ sustainability and ownership of the programme.
- SCOPE AND TIMELINE
The scope of this exercise will include operational communities in the 6 chiefdoms (Gbinleh,Β Dixon, Masungbala and Magbema Chiefdoms in Kambia district and Bureh and Loko MasamaΒ Chiefdoms in Port Loko district) covered by the project throughout the 42 months period. As aΒ result, the complete intervention period (17th December 2019 to 16th March 2023) will beΒ covered in order to provide comprehensive findings, recommendations, and conclusion. TheΒ evaluation must be completed in four weeks (20THΒ February- 20thΒ March 2022), includingΒ planning, data gathering, and report writing. A final report must be submitted no later than 31stΒ March 2023 CoB.
- EVALUATION CRITERIAΒ Β
Data should be analysed in line with the below criteria:Β
βͺΒ The relevanceΒ of the project
βͺΒ The effectiveness and the impactΒ of the project
βͺΒ The efficiencyΒ of the project and the methodology
βͺΒ The sustainabilityΒ of the project
- EVALUATION METHODOLOGYΒ
Evaluation Design and ApproachΒ
The Evaluator will propose a suitable study design based on the scope and objectives of theΒ study and the context. The sample population should include the direct project beneficiariesΒ targeted during the implementation of the project.
- THE EVALUATION TEAM ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Lead ConsultantΒ (Will plan and coordinate data collection, review data, analyze it and prepare a high quality report) Reports to CAFOD Agri-business Programme Manager and Programme OfficerΒ β (Will support toΒ facilitate through the partners to coordinate the data collection process and coordinate review ofΒ report) | |
Key responsibilitiesΒ βͺΒ Develop an inception report, detailing theΒ study design, methodology, indicators, data- gathering tools and work plan to carry out the assignment agreed in consultation with CAFOD and Partners. βͺΒ Conduct desk review of relevant programme documents. βͺΒ Develop quantitative and qualitative dataΒ gathering tools in consultation with CAFOD and the partner programme staff.Β βͺΒ Conduct training for the data collectionΒ teams including preβtesting of data collection tools. βͺΒ Plan and coordinate quantitative andΒ qualitative data collection. βͺΒ Data quality assurance. βͺΒ Review, clean and analyse data collected.Β βͺΒ Present virtual preliminary findings to forΒ validation βͺΒ Incorporate input from the validation andΒ submit final report. βͺΒ Produce evaluation report. | Desired Qualifications and AbilitiesΒ βͺΒ A Minimum of masterβs degree or PostΒ Graduate qualification in Social Sciences,Β Agriculture or a relevant academic discipline. βͺΒ Work experience of at least 5 years in similarΒ or related work. βͺΒ Experience in EU funded, or any otherΒ institutional donor funded programmes/projects βͺΒ Demonstrable previous experience in leadingΒ an evaluation, including data collection,Β analysis and reporting for a developmentΒ project. βͺΒ Evidence of producing high quality andΒ detailed evaluation reports. βͺΒ Demonstrate high level of professionalism.Β βͺΒ Excellent English communication, reportΒ writing and presentation skills. βͺΒ Ability to effectively interact with differentΒ stakeholders of multiple socioeconomicΒ backgrounds. βͺΒ Ability to multi-task and work independently,Β under high-pressure situations βͺΒ Excellent interpersonal skills. βͺΒ Strong critical analysis skills and attention toΒ detail. βͺΒ Flexibility and willingness to travel to ruralΒ communities in Kambia and Port Loko districtΒ of Sierra Leone βͺΒ Ability to adhere to strict deadlines. |
- ROLE OF CAFOD AND PARTNERSΒ
- Review and approve the work plan, including the timeframe and methodology to beΒ applied.
- Provide the consultant with background information and reference material including allΒ relevant project documents.
- Ensure that the health and safety procedures and CAFODβs Safeguarding, Code of Behavior and Antibribery Policies are fully adhered to.
- Ensure smooth flow of consultancy engagement processes including contractualΒ obligations.
- Provide timely feedback to consultant on products submitted for review. β’ Ensure community sensitization and mobilization of respondents.
- Follow up and evaluate progress on execution of the task assigned.
- Review and approve the draft and final product as stipulated in the expected outputs/deliverables.
- Quality assurance of the final product
- KEY DELIVERABLESΒ
The consultant is liable for the following deliverables during the service period:Β I.Β Inception Report: This should be accompanied with the general research instrumentΒ and should be presented to CAFOD and Partners within maximum 4 days upon contractΒ signing. This will include, a statement of work clearly outlining a methodology, sampling,Β and work plan. This may be further refined after additional meetings with the projectΒ team.
- First Draft Report: The consultant will make a draft report and share for review to bothΒ CAFOD and Partners on the key findings of the final evaluation and recommendations.Β Β III.Β Final Report:Β The final report should be submitted within five (5) days after reviewed.Β The soft copy of the report will be submitted to CAFOD.
- All data collectedΒ (both raw and aggregated) should be submitted to CAFOD andΒ Partners. The data set should be in the appropriate format agreed upon.
10.DURATION OF ASSIGNMENTΒ Β
The overall timeframe of this consultancy is 20 days from the date of signing of the contractualΒ agreement.
- PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACTΒ
The consultant/consultant company will be paid in instalments after important deliverables areΒ completed and submitted.Β All Payments shall be made through bank transfer in three instalments.
The following is the payment schedule:
βͺΒ 1st instalment of 40% on Signing of Contract.
βͺΒ 2nd instalment of 30% upon submission of an acceptable first draft reportΒ βͺΒ 3rd and final instalment of 30% upon submission of acceptable final Report incorporatingΒ inputs from the dissemination meeting.
Note:Β The stipulated total cost of the assignment should cover all costs incurred during theΒ research period including travel costs and sustenance for the research team. Reports producedΒ in soft copies and all other costs that may arise during the research period. 10% of WithholdingΒ tax shall be deducted from the total Professional fees.
12.CODE OF BEHAVIOURΒ Β
The consultant including any member of their research team will abide to CAFODβs code ofΒ behaviour and in line with the Safe, Accessible, Dignified and Inclusive programming frameworkΒ throughout their engagement with CAFOD. The Consultant will be required to sign the code ofΒ behaviour, as well as the safeguarding and anti-bribery policies at the signing of the contract,Β before commencement of the work. Any violation of Welthungerhilfeβs Code of Conduct orΒ failure to discharge duties according to these terms of reference by the consultant will lead to aΒ unilateral termination of the contract.
- APPLICATION & QUOTATION REQUIREMENTSΒ Β
Interested applicants to send a technical and financial proposal for the work in line with theΒ following guidance:
β Technical Proposal:Β The consultantβs understanding and interpretation of the Terms ofΒ Reference (TOR), a detailed methodology on how the data collection and analysis will beΒ done and detailed implementation schedule for the evaluation as well as any otherΒ proposed approaches the consultant may deem fit for this assessment. CapabilityΒ statement on How the consultant or firm is structured for the assignment, the role eachΒ staff will play including the CVs of the key personnel who will take part in the consultancy.Β References of three organizations that you have conducted evaluations for within the lastΒ three years, that will serve as your professional referees.
β List of Evaluation reports:Β Final reports for the evaluations conducted for the threeΒ reference organizations provided.
β Financial proposal:Β Itemized budget proposal that should include the consultancy feesΒ and operational costs.
- TIMELINE SUMMARYΒ
ActivityΒ | Timeline |
Submission of applications | 23rdΒ February 2023 |
Inception report | 4 days from contract signing |
Evaluation completed | End of March |
Submission of a draft report | End of March |
Final report | Early April |
Interested consultants/firms that meet the requirements should submit an expression of interestΒ toΒ [email protected]Β by 26thΒ February 2023. IncludeΒ βEU-BAFS Agribusiness FinalΒ EvaluationβΒ in the subject line.