πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡± Job Vacancies @ CAFOD – 3 Positions

Bombali, Bo, Port Loko & Kambia Posted on Project Management, Tender

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 β€œWomen’s Voice and Engagement forΒ  Peace” 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 β€œWomen’sΒ  Voice and Engagement for Peace” 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 Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and part of the global Caritas family. CAFOD’s 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 country’s civil conflict. Inaugurated in 1997, it is composed ofΒ  adherents of the two main religions in Sierra Leone – 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 IRCSL’s District Coordinators to organize, implement, supervise and monitor the projectΒ  activities and report to the General Secretary of IRCSL with committed accountability to CAFOD’s 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 leaders’ 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 – 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 β€œWOVEN Project Officer – Name of Applicant and forΒ  which duty station (i.e., Bombali or Bo)”. All Candidate’s 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 District – Gbinleh, Dixon, Masungbala and MagbemaΒ  Chiefdoms and

Port Loko District – 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 – 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 β€˜Promotion of Agribusiness and Innovative Farming’ andΒ  β€˜Support 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 poor’s 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 β€œTo provide targeted economic empowerment andΒ  resilience strengthening of key rural communities in Port Loko and Kambia Districts in SierraΒ  Leone”. 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.

– Output 1.1: Strengthened technical and financial capacity of youth in agriculture,Β  vegetable production, marketing and sustainable business management.

– 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.

 

– 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.

  1. STUDY OBJECTIVESΒ 

The overall objective of the evaluation is to assess the project’s overall performance andΒ  establish whether the project’s 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:

β–ͺΒ To assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of theΒ  outputs and achievements of the project.

β–ͺΒ Drawing lessons learned for better implementation performance and for possible scalingΒ  up.

β–ͺΒ Make recommendations to strengthen the impact and sustainability of achievementsΒ  after the end of the project.

 

  1. EVALUATION SCOPE, FOCUS AND TIMELINEΒ Β 

Evaluation FocusΒ Β 

The evaluation will focus on the project’s beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders in orderΒ  to address the following issues:

  1. Analysis of the project Logframe.
  2. 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:

β–ͺΒ 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).

β–ͺΒ 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.

β–ͺΒ The evaluator will focus to analyze the design of the project (and beneficiaries’  participation into the design); and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the project

implementation by the partners (including CAFOD) within the agreed contractualΒ  conditions.

β–ͺΒ Assess the program objectives, outcomes and recommend measures (if any).

β–ͺΒ 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.

β–ͺΒ Review the appropriateness and clarity of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholdersΒ  and the level of coordination between them and the value chain actors.

β–ͺΒ 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.

β–ͺΒ Assess the performance of the program in terms of timeliness, quality, quantity, and cost effectiveness of the activities undertaken including project procurement.

β–ͺΒ Assess the application of the project strategies, principles and prospects of theΒ  sustainability and ownership of the programme.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. EVALUATION CRITERIAΒ Β 

Data should be analysed in line with the below criteria:Β 

β–ͺΒ The relevanceΒ of the project

β–ͺΒ The effectiveness and the impactΒ of the project

β–ͺΒ The efficiencyΒ of the project and the methodology

β–ͺΒ The sustainabilityΒ of the project

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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 Officer – (Will support toΒ  facilitate through the partners to coordinate the data collection process and coordinate review ofΒ  report)

Key responsibilitiesΒ 

β–ͺΒ 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.

β–ͺΒ Conduct desk review of relevant

programme documents.

β–ͺΒ Develop quantitative and qualitative dataΒ  gathering tools in consultation with

CAFOD and the partner programme staff.Β β–ͺΒ Conduct training for the data collectionΒ  teams including pre‐testing of data

collection tools.

β–ͺΒ Plan and coordinate quantitative andΒ  qualitative data collection.

β–ͺΒ Data quality assurance.

β–ͺΒ Review, clean and analyse data collected.Β β–ͺΒ Present virtual preliminary findings to forΒ  validation

β–ͺΒ Incorporate input from the validation andΒ  submit final report.

β–ͺΒ Produce evaluation report.

Desired Qualifications and AbilitiesΒ 

β–ͺΒ A Minimum of master’s degree or PostΒ  Graduate qualification in Social Sciences,Β  Agriculture or a relevant academic discipline.

β–ͺΒ Work experience of at least 5 years in similarΒ  or related work.

β–ͺΒ Experience in EU funded, or any otherΒ  institutional donor funded

programmes/projects

β–ͺΒ Demonstrable previous experience in leadingΒ  an evaluation, including data collection,Β  analysis and reporting for a developmentΒ  project.

β–ͺΒ Evidence of producing high quality andΒ  detailed evaluation reports.

β–ͺΒ Demonstrate high level of professionalism.Β β–ͺΒ Excellent English communication, reportΒ  writing and presentation skills.

β–ͺΒ Ability to effectively interact with differentΒ  stakeholders of multiple socioeconomicΒ  backgrounds.

β–ͺΒ Ability to multi-task and work independently,Β  under high-pressure situations

β–ͺΒ Excellent interpersonal skills.

β–ͺΒ Strong critical analysis skills and attention toΒ  detail.

β–ͺΒ Flexibility and willingness to travel to ruralΒ  communities in Kambia and Port Loko districtΒ  of Sierra Leone

β–ͺΒ Ability to adhere to strict deadlines.

 

  1. 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 CAFOD’s 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

 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

  1. 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:

β–ͺΒ 1st instalment of 40% on Signing of Contract.

β–ͺΒ 2nd instalment of 30% upon submission of an acceptable first draft reportΒ β–ͺΒ 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 CAFOD’s 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 Welthungerhilfe’s 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.

  1. APPLICATION & QUOTATION REQUIREMENTSΒ Β 

Interested applicants to send a technical and financial proposal for the work in line with theΒ  following guidance:

– Technical Proposal:Β The consultant’s 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.

– List of Evaluation reports:Β Final reports for the evaluations conducted for the threeΒ  reference organizations provided.

– Financial proposal:Β Itemized budget proposal that should include the consultancy feesΒ  and operational costs.

 

  1. TIMELINE SUMMARYΒ 
ActivityΒ Timeline
Submission of applications23rdΒ February 2023
Inception report4 days from contract signing
Evaluation completedEnd of March
Submission of a draft reportEnd of March
Final reportEarly April

 

Interested consultants/firms that meet the requirements should submit an expression of interestΒ  toΒ [email protected]Β by 26thΒ February 2023. IncludeΒ β€˜EU-BAFS Agribusiness FinalΒ  Evaluation’ in the subject line.

About Company

CAFOD

Job Information

Status: Open No of vacancies: 3 Job type: Full Time Salary: Negotiable Publish date: 23 Feb 2023

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