Job Description
Position Title: Senior Specialist, Livelihood
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Office: ChildFund Sierra Leone
Supervisor: Program & Sponsorship Director
Position Type: Full-time, fixed term
Work Environment: On-site
Monthly Salary Range (before taxes): 10,416 – 14,062 Sierra Leonean Leone
About ChildFund
ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization working in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources, and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled, and safe.
ChildFund’s Values
ChildFund aspires for every person—program participants, supporters, staff, and volunteers—to feel free, safe, and confident to be themselves. The organization promotes a culture of connection and provides opportunities for professional growth, learning, and leadership.
ChildFund’s Commitment
ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by staff, partners, or representatives.
It is committed to creating safe environments both in the workplace and in communities where programs are delivered.
All staff, partners, and representatives must adhere to these safeguarding standards.
This position is subject to vetting checks, including criminal record checks and disclosures.
About the Role
The Senior Specialist, Livelihood provides technical and strategic leadership in agriculture, food security, and livelihoods (FSL).
Key responsibilities include:
- Promoting systematic program design, monitoring, evaluation, and implementation.
- Translating FSL priorities from the Country Strategic Plan into actionable interventions.
- Designing and developing FSL projects and identifying new business opportunities.
- Leading proposal development and donor engagement on FSL activities.
- Ensuring FSL interventions meet the highest technical standards.
- Providing regular technical oversight, program monitoring, and reporting.
- Designing youth livelihood programs and scaling FSL programming across sectors.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies or a relevant field (Master’s degree preferred).
- 6–8 years of experience managing livelihood projects with NGOs or international organizations.
- Proven experience in grants acquisition and management.
- Experience designing and implementing youth livelihood programs.
- Strong understanding of:
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- Livelihood sector frameworks.
- The Government’s Medium Development Plan and “5 Game Changer” initiatives.
- Proven ability to provide technical assistance and capacity building to partners.
- Minimum of 5 years working in the livelihood sector in development and/or emergency contexts.
- Strong communication, presentation, and networking skills.
- At least 3 years of experience in policy formulation and best practice documentation.
- Experience working with children experiencing deprivation or vulnerability.
- Proven experience in participatory training, program design, and M&E.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in:
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- Cash transfer programming.
- Conservation agriculture and climate-smart technologies.
- Carbon credit or environmental livelihood schemes.
- Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
- Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) integration.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Program Leadership and Direction
- Lead technical design and development of food security and livelihoods interventions.
- Contribute to the Country Strategic Plan and related strategies and frameworks.
- Support capacity development for ChildFund and implementing partner staff.
- Advise Senior Management on emerging opportunities and sector trends.
- Assess partner capabilities and promote integration of FSL with other sectors.
2. Program Management
- Oversee the country’s FSL program portfolio, including new project start-ups and close-downs.
- Support local partners in mobilization for FSL grants and non-sponsorship projects.
- Ensure donor compliance in data collection, reporting, and achievement tracking.
- Participate in annual operational planning and budgeting.
- Monitor program expenditure and address financial issues with finance teams.
- Prepare technical reports and proposals in line with donor and organizational requirements.
3. Program Design and Development
- Collaborate with the Grants Acquisition and Management (GAAM) team on proposal development.
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities for FSL and climate-smart agriculture.
- Build partnerships, lead scoping missions, and engage new donors.
- Coordinate donor stewardship and communications efforts.
4. Reporting, Documentation, and Learning
- Support FSL baseline and related studies.
- Contribute to quarterly and annual program reports.
- Promote systematic monitoring, evaluation, and lesson learning in FSL programs.
- Document and share success stories, best practices, and lessons learned.
- Organize regular learning sessions with stakeholders.
5. Program Representation
- Represent ChildFund in national and regional FSL and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) forums.
- Engage with government, sector working groups, and NGO partners.
6. Child Safeguarding
- Remain alert to child safeguarding risks and adhere to ChildFund’s safeguarding policy.
- Promote best practices and uphold the organization’s child protection standards.
Support and Collaboration
The Senior Specialist will collaborate with and receive support from global and country-level team members, including:
- Education Advisor II
- Partnership Portfolio Manager
- M&E/KLM Specialist
- Business Development Specialist
- Senior Education Specialist
- Sponsorship Specialist
- Security Focal Persons
Required Competencies
ChildFund Core Competencies
- Teamwork: Works effectively and respectfully with others, valuing diversity.
- Communication: Demonstrates empathy, tact, and storytelling ability.
- Results Orientation: Proactively achieves organizational goals and quality standards.
- Decision-Making: Applies sound judgment, innovation, and reflection in problem-solving.
- Resilience: Thrives in complex and changing environments.
- Digital Literacy: Embraces technology and champions digital innovation.
Disclaimer: Applications will be received until this position is filled
