lucius August 2, 2022 0 Comments

Job Vacancies @ Restless Development – 2 Positions

Freetown, Sierra Leone Posted 2 years ago Posted on NGO / Community Services, Project Management

Restless Development is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Chief of Party
2.) Senior Project Manager

ABOUT RESTLESS DEVELOPMENT

Restless Development is an innovative, global non profit that strengthens Youth Power: the collective force of young leaders to create a better world. We strengthen youth-leadership and youth civil society to be at the forefront of creating lasting change and impact, on our impact priority areas: Education & Livelihoods, Gender & Sexual Rights, Voice & Democracy and Climate Justice. We are independently registered and governed in nine countries (India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe) with a global team of over 230 people and a growing youth collective of 4000 youth civil society groups in over 180 countries.

Never has investing in youth-led change been more necessary. Young leaders have been shaping the response to the pandemic in many of the poorest economies, leading the fight for climate justice, and educating their peers on sexual rights and gender. Young people are already leading the way in creating a better world, they are leading and supporting each other. Yet 75% of youth organizations globally have reported funding cuts since the start of the pandemic. Restless Development works to strengthen youth leadership – in our impact driven programmes and by strengthening youth civil society.

In May 2022 we launched our new global strategy. We recognize that how we do our work is as important as what we do. We are a feminist, anti-racist agency. We recognize the growing inequalities and injustices and are intentional in our efforts to shift power, enabling young people and communities who have previously been marginalized to lead. We not only want to achieve impact on the issues we work on, we also want to create an alternative to the top-down international development sector, proving the success of an alternative that is inclusive, ensures youth civil society can thrive and lead lasting change.

OUR APPROACH TO SAFEGUARDING

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organizational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding Policy.

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Chief of Party

BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE
Sierra Leone has been characterized by almost 20 years of peace and stability, following a devastating civil war in the 1990s; the Ebola virus disease outbreak from 2014-16; and the concomitant economic shock caused by the collapse of the price of iron ore, the country’s main export commodity. The country has successfully conducted four credible elections, including the general elections in March 2018 that saw the peaceful transition of power from the All People’s Congress (APC) to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

Political violence appears to be rising in Sierra Leone, despite the country’s progress in peace and stability in the twenty years since the end of the civil war. A 2020 report from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) provides evidence that political violence and conflicts have steadily been rising around 2014 and 2015, peaked around the 2018 elections, and the violence levels have remained high since. By early 2020, Sierra Leone had been experiencing levels of political violence that were higher than at any time since the end of the war. Sierra Leone has experienced one of the highest levels of political disorder per capita among countries not in conflict. Individuals are implicated in and impacted by political violence differently depending on gender identity, age, and other social identities. Sierra Leone has a long history of neglect and marginalization of women and youth, a fact cited by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a key contributing factor to both the eruption and protracted nature of the civil war. There is no evidence that post-conflict reforms have addressed these issues. Women and youth have the potential to lead reconciliation efforts, but are sidelined by a male-dominated culture.

USAID has Requested for Applications for its People to People (P2P) approach in peacebuilding in Sierra Leone project which will run for three years. The USAID office in Sierra Leone seeks to improve individual and community capacity to manage, mitigate, resolve, and transform conflict, as a way of fostering the necessary and sufficient conditions for positive peace.”

The overall objective is to support the prevention and mitigation of politically motivated violence through people-to people approaches that foster local leadership and efforts of women and youth, to address underlying divisions along ethno-regional and political lines by building trust both within and between communities to reduce the risk of violence that is triggered by political issues and processes.

The emphasis will be on supporting activities that address divisions in communities manifesting in political violence, often along ethno-partisan lines, and in supporting women and youth to lead on conflict mitigation and prevention and peacebuilding efforts.

Restless Development seeks applicants for the position of Chief of Party (CoP) to lead the project team, should we win the award from USAID.

The Chief of Party (CoP) is responsible for the overall implementation of the P2P project; is the primary project focal point who ensures the judicious use of allocated resources, oversight of the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and the progress of the project towards its intended results. He/she is the strategic lead of the project and oversees reporting and coordination across the consortium. He/she will be based in Freetown

Job title Chief of Party
Impact Area Voice and Democracy
Location Freetown, Sierra Leone
Salary We offer a competitive salary package based on our Global Salary Scale
Preferred start date This will is contingent on us winning the award from USAID
Length of contract 1 Year ( renewal is based on satisfactory performance and continuity of funding)
Reports to Hub Director
Direct reports Project Manager, Peacebuilding
Expected travel Travel to project districts expected.

This role is subject winning of award from USAID.

KEY PRIORITIES

External Engagements

Consistently monitor the economic and socio-political dynamics that could negatively impact the P2P project, and share them with the Head of Programmes and Partnerships (HoPP), and the Hub Director (HD);
Maintain synergic relationship with consortium partners, ensuring coordinated, efficient project management and their commitment to the delivery of mutually agreed activities;
Contributes to the development, definition, and ongoing evolution of the P2P project strategy
Serve as the focal point for the P2P in peacebuilding project on behalf of the consortium and manage communication between the consortium and USAID.
Communicates regularly with USAID, providing updates on project challenges and successes, and accepting feedback.
Communicates regularly with officials of the relevant ministries of the Government of Sierra Leone, Civil Society, and donors, coordinating with ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable peace.
Influences communications related to the project in consultation with the HoPP and the HD;
Represent Restless Development’s interests, promote the P2P project among government ministries, Members of Parliament, Security sector, local councils, relevant Commissions, Embassies, and donors.

Programme Management

Overall management and responsibility for the P2P project’s technical and financial performance, ensuring that the project is implemented in alignment with Restless Development’s and USAID’s policies and procedures.
Provide strategic guidance, leadership, and overarching management to consortium team to ensure effective coordination and convergence.
Ensure that the P2P project is executed in compliance with contract provisions.
Oversee all reporting obligations on project activities and outputs are completed and submitted on schedule and to the standards required.
Oversee project annual planning and budgeting processes with support from the Senior Finance and Admin Manager.
Closely monitor budget burn rates and support the timely development and submission of budget revisions when necessary.
Ensure integration of community approaches, conflict sensitivity, and gender sensitivity, inclusion, and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
Exercises strategic decision making and direction based on Monitoring Evaluation and Learning data, for adaptive management of the project as needed.
Oversees the effective close out of the project and communication of results.

Personnel/ Resource Management

Provide leadership to project staff to ensure high program quality for optimum results.
Lead NGO partners and staff in work planning, to ensure timely and high-quality implementation of project activities.
Encourage an atmosphere of dignity and respect among project staff, leading by example.
Performance manage the P2 Project Manager in line with Restless Development People and Performance policies.
Motivate staff to perform effectively toward project objectives, through communication, team-building incentives, and responsiveness.

5. Others
Document and report any lessons learned, good practices, programmatic modifications.
Prepare and submit monthly work plans and relevant documents to line manager as requested.
Other significant duties as may be assigned by her/his line manager; participate in required training.
Take up other responsibilities when called upon.

ABOUT YOU
We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate the personal qualities consistent with our Values.

Values Behaviours What we expect of the Chief of Party
HEART
We are who we serve. We are brave.

Values-led Embeds a values-led culture. Inspires passion in external partners
and all staff. Makes decisions and takes measured risks to

achieve the organizational vision

Innovation Fosters a climate of innovation and continual improvement.
Takes measured risks and solves complex issues with creativity

and innovation. Maintains focus on aligning the organizational

vision for long-term growth in a changing world.

HEAD
We are 100% professional. We prove that young people can

Delivers Quality Ensures organizational excellence in the face of challenges and
constraints. Identifies opportunities to advance our mission

through the work of others.

Decision-Making Quickly and confidently makes, sometimes tough, strategic
decisions, even with incomplete or rapidly changing

information. Decisively drives change by analyzing complex

situations and evaluating long term impact on the

organisation and external partners.

VOICE
We generate leaders. We are proud to carry the banner for youth-led development.

Leadership Creates a compelling organizational vision across all teams,
ensuring high performance of multiple teams against

strategic priorities. Develops leadership in others for future

growth of the organisation.

People Development Is committed to long term personal and professional growth
aligned to greater organizational performance. Builds future

organizational capacity by creating a culture of continual learning

through coaching and mentoring.

HANDS
We are in it together. We listen and learn.

Effective Communication Consultatively develops new initiatives and priorities which
respond to staff and organizational needs. Persuades influences

and inspires external partners and internal audiences, building

commitment to initiatives. Coaches others to communicate

strategically.

Collaboration Leads multiple teams to collaboratively deliver quality against
the organizational vision. Is a role model for collaboration at a

national and global level, building and maintaining strong,

long-lasting relationships with internal teams and external

partners.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
Strategic vision, leadership qualities, depth and breadth of relevant technical expertise and experience;
Knowledge of current thinking on peacebuilding issues and methods; and demonstrable ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them swiftly into priority Programme setting
Demonstrates effectiveness and strong experience with short and long-term planning; financial, personnel and program management;
Responsiveness, and ability to handle stressful situations and intense work periods;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate gender responsive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Experience implementing complex and multifaceted projects is required, with demonstrated skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities;
Proven track record of working effectively with diverse groups of civil society organizations, media, civil society, and government counterparts;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of internet for research; Ability to relate sensitively to diverse groups;
Commitment to Restless Development’s values and mission (available on Restless Development International website).
Desirable
A minimum of a Master’s Degree in public/business administration, international relations, other social sciences. (A master’s degree may be substituted by a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 12 years’ relevant management, supervisory, technical experience working with activities that are of a similar scope and scale to this activity);
At least 10 years of relevant management, supervisory, technical experience working with activities that are of a similar scope and scale to this activity
Several years of field experience in conflict affected contexts including in the Sierra Leone or West Africa.
Experience in the fields of peacebuilding (social cohesion, conflict research, analysis security governance, natural resources management, and/or development);
Strong professional reputation, management experience, interpersonal skills and written and oral presentation skills to fulfil the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program description.
Fluency in written and spoken English & Krio (will be an added advantage)
Experience in management of complex projects in consortia and with several international and local parties;
Experience of political engagement, influencing, networking, and communications on peacebuilding, and/or development issues in Sierra Leone.

Restless Development is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from young people, women, those living with HIV, disabled people, and other marginalized groups.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

Remuneration
We are proud to commit to a transparent global salary scale, ensuring a fair and comparable system of pay across all global locations, taking into account statutory benefits. In addition to salary, we offer End of Service Benefit, and NASSIT (10% employer contribution) for all staff.

Values and Culture
At Restless Development, we’re proud that the strength and integrity of our values has been recognized by staff, beneficiaries, donors and others who we work with. Beyond this, we have a culture of recognizing and celebrating both our values and our global achievements with monthly Values Champions and an annual Values Day.

Work-life balance
It goes without saying that we work hard at Restless Development. We also recognize the importance of helping staff to maintain a positive work-life balance by offering:

24 days annual leave (in addition to public holidays and with an extra day of annual leave given for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 28 days).
Access to flexible working.
Study leave, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, and other leave allowances.
A day’s leave on your birthday.

Professional development
Restless Development is proud to be an employer who recognizes potential and invests in the development of its staff. We are committed to the professional development of our staff through:

Empowering opportunities to work on significant projects which stretch and inspire staff – allowing them to develop on-the-job.
Training and development opportunities, including supporting our staff to identify mentors both within and outside of the agency.
Quarterly Staff Workshops for all staff to give and receive agency updates, receive training, and socialize.

Travel and medical insurance
When travelling abroad with work, all staff will be covered by Restless Development’s travel insurance. Any additional insurances/benefits will be shared with the successful applicant, and are dependent on the country of hire.

KEY DATES
Please send a completed application form to [email protected] and copy [email protected] by Midnight on Sunday 14th August 2022. Please note that we do not accept CVs, resumes or covering letters.

PLEASE DOWN LOAD FORM AND FILL

2.) Senior Project Manager

BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE
Sierra Leone has been characterized by almost 20 years of peace and stability, following a devastating civil war in the 1990s; the Ebola virus disease outbreak from 2014-16; and the concomitant economic shock caused by the collapse of the price of iron ore, the country’s main export commodity. The country has successfully conducted four credible elections, including the general elections in March 2018 that saw the peaceful transition of power from the All People’s Congress (APC) to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

Political violence appears to be rising in Sierra Leone, despite the country’s progress in peace and stability in the twenty years since the end of the civil war. A 2020 report from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) provides evidence that political violence and conflicts have steadily been rising around 2014 and 2015, peaked around the 2018 elections, and the violence levels have remained high since. By early 2020, Sierra Leone had been experiencing levels of political violence that were higher than at any time since the end of the war. Sierra Leone has experienced one of the highest levels of political disorder per capita among countries not in conflict. Individuals are implicated in and impacted by political violence differently depending on gender identity, age, and other social identities. Sierra Leone has a long history of neglect and marginalization of women and youth, a fact cited by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a key contributing factor to both the eruption and protracted nature of the civil war. There is no evidence that post-conflict reforms have addressed these issues. Women and youth have the potential to lead reconciliation efforts, but are sidelined by a male-dominated culture.

USAID has Requested for Applications for its People to People (P2P) approach in peacebuilding in Sierra Leone project which will run for three years. The USAID office in Sierra Leone seeks to improve individual and community capacity to manage, mitigate, resolve, and transform conflict, as a way of fostering the necessary and sufficient conditions for positive peace.”

The overall objective is to support the prevention and mitigation of politically motivated violence through people-to people approaches that foster local leadership and efforts of women and youth, to address underlying divisions along ethno-regional and political lines by building trust both within and between communities to reduce the risk of violence that is triggered by political issues and processes.

The emphasis will be on supporting activities that address divisions in communities manifesting in political violence, often along ethno-partisan lines, and in supporting women and youth to lead on conflict mitigation and prevention and peacebuilding efforts.

Restless Development Sierra Leone is the leader in youth-led development and community

engagement in the country. Key priorities the Peacebuilding Project Manager will include;

Programme Development and Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, External Representation, Budget Management, External Representation and People Management

The Peacebuilding Project Manager will work closely with the Government of Sierra Leone, Youth and Women-led Community Based Organizations (YWLCBOs), local Councils, local Leaders to improve individual and community capacity to manage, mitigate, resolve, and transform conflict, as a way of fostering the necessary and sufficient conditions for positive peace in Sierra Leone.

Job title Senior Project Manager , Peacebuilding
Impact Area Voice and Democracy
Location Freetown, Sierra Leone
Salary Le 217,300 (Annual Gross in new currency) + additional allowances
Preferred start date Role is contingent on the award of funding
Length of contract 1 Year ( renewal is based on satisfactory performance and continuity of funding)
Reports to Chief of Party
Direct reports Project Coordinator and Communications Coordinator
Expected travel Travel to project districts expected.

This role is subject winning of award from USAID.

KEY PRIORITIES

Programme Development and Implementation

In collaboration with the Chief of Party, take strategic leadership in ensuring implementation, monitoring, administration and management of P2P in peacebuilding project, including preparation of Annual Work Plans (AWP) in close consultation with Consortium Management Board.
Build, expand and maintain strategic relationships with Government, Donors, local councils, local leaders, and other structures relevant to conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.
Provide leadership, mentoring and accompaniment to NGO partners & YWLCBOs in reaching planned project Impact, outcomes, and outputs, in particular, in ensuring increased participation of communities and individuals in P2P interventions.
Early identification and resolution of any problems that arise in relation to project delivery, including through regular communication with NGO partners, YWLCBOs, and Stakeholders.
Provide support to the global resourcing leadership team with technical input for conflict prevention and peacebuilding programming.
Facilitate regular project planning meetings with NGO partners and YWLCBOs, and help identify capacity needs to implement the P2P project
Support the facilitation of events (dialogue meetings, trainings, learning and planning workshops) with the participation the P2P implementing partners.
In tandem with the Chief of Party, ensure the overall relevance and performance of the project, the effective realization and quality of outputs, and adherence to P2P in peacebuilding standards, rules and regulations including value for money, gender and conflict sensitivity, with the peacebuilding lens.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

Provide technical advice to the Monitoring and Evaluation team in developing baselines and indicators for monitoring and evaluation, as well as in preparing project reports focused on capturing results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider applicable or necessary adjustment to remain relevant to the context.
Ensure NGO partners are in compliance with the approved Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP) to guide monitoring and evaluation of Programme interventions, and that captures and feed learning into Programme implement and decision-making processes in real time.
Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the context and responses amongst CSOs and governmental policy.
Prepare intermittent analytical reviews with NGO partners and YWLCBOs and systematically capture lessons learnt from project implementation and identifying follow-up actions.
Write timely and high quality reports and support the Chief of Party in the drafting of donor reports.
Maintain a database of project outcomes and targets

Budget Management

Accountability to the CoP for effective management of the project resources, including all assets and other related materials.
Accountable for timely and accurate budget phasing and forecasting.
Fully participate in project review meetings to discuss any under or overspends with the finance department.
Ensure the project budget is fully understood by the project team and NGO partners.
Ensure that all requisitions and retirements are appropriately authorized in a timely manner; and that all expenditures are accompanied with supporting documentation.
Ensure project Staff and NGO partners spend funds within guidelines, in line with Programme activity plans and associated financial policies.

External Representation

Establishing and maintaining good working relations with relevant NGO partners; Build and maintain strong relations with staff in partner organizations who are implementing the project
Regular Communication with other project Staff, NGO partners, and YWLCBOs
Attend to related external engagements delegated by the Chief of Party.
Work in consortium with NGO partners

People Management

Ensure all P2P in peacebuilding project team members understand and comply with all Restless Development policies and procedures.
Provide coaching and mentoring to the project team to build cohesive and high performing staff.
Responsible for the talent management and capacity enhancement of team members
Performance manage the Project Coordinator and Communications Coordinator.

5. Others
Document and report any lessons learned, good practices, programmatic modifications.
Prepare and submit monthly work plans and relevant documents to line manager as requested.
Other significant duties as may be assigned by her/his line manager; participate in required training.
Take up other responsibilities when called upon.

ABOUT YOU
We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate the personal qualities consistent with our Values.

Values Behaviours What we expect of the Senior Project Manager
HEART
We are who we serve. We are brave.

Values-led Upholds a values-led culture across the hub, inspiring a Restless passion and professionalism amongst all others. Considers the Restless Values when making decisions.
Innovation Creates an enabling environment for innovation across the hub. Takes measured risks and solves complex issues with creativity and innovation.
HEAD
We are 100% professional. We prove that young people can

Delivers Quality Drives quality across the Programme by holding all team members to account for high performance and value-for-money. Ensures the hub is effectively and efficiently resourced to deliver quality against strategic priorities.
Decision-Making Drives change across the hub by considering the long term impact of risks and strategic decisions to multiple teams.
VOICE
We generate leaders. We are proud to carry the banner for youth-led development.

Leadership Contributes to strategy development and creates a compelling organizational vision. Is accountable for performance at team level. Develops leadership in others for future growth of the organisation.
People Development Builds organizational capacity by creating a culture of continual learning through performance management, training, coaching and mentoring; aligning their own personal and professional development to current and future organizational needs.
HANDS
We are in it together. We listen and learn.

Effective Communication Builds consensus and commitment amongst staff and major national partners. Confidently anticipates and responds to challenge or resistance in difficult circumstances. Coaches others to communicate strategically.
Collaboration Is a role model for collaboration at a national, regional and global level; frequently contributing to internal processes and decisions. Leads participatory decision making and strategy development.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
Substantial experience of managing USAID funded programmes;
An excellent understanding of community engagement strategies, the investment environment in Sierra Leone, land laws and policies, peace frameworks, natural resource governance, and conflict sensitivity, and an active interest in the workings of civil society;
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the USAID’s P2P approach to peacebuilding and others;
Ability to work under stress, follow projects through to completion, with strict deadlines and without loss of attention to detail, budget and reporting;
Substantial experience within a senior leadership position in which decision making and collaboration has been a priority;
A role model, able to gain the respect of the management and wider staff team;
Demonstrable experience in project administration, planning and implementation; Experience working on youth and gender-sensitive programming;
Skills in participatory approaches to programming, and community engagement; Demonstrable interpersonal and team working skills;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of internet for research; Ability to relate sensitively to diverse groups;
Commitment to Restless Development’s values and mission (available on Restless Development International website).
Desirable
A minimum of a Master’s Degree in public/business administration, international relations, other social sciences. (A master’s degree may be substituted by a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 10 years’ relevant management, supervisory, technical experience working with activities that are of a similar scope and scale to this activity);
At least 7 years of experience in donor-funded project management in post-conflict or fragile states; managing implementation of integrated programmes (Peacebuilding, Protection, Women and Youth, community mobilization for example);
Past experience building, nurturing and maintaining synergic relationships with relevant Government Agencies, Commissions, NGOs, Local Councils, YWLCBOs and community Peacebuilders;
Fluency in written and spoken English & Krio (will be an added advantage)
Knowledge of relevant national and international strategies and frameworks in the areas of Peacebuilding, Gender and youth empowerment and other poverty related national development priorities;
Experience of working in Sierra Leone and an understanding of the current socio-political environment;
Experience working in challenging operating environments with a rapidly changing policy and legal landscape.