JOB SUMMARY
Provides a range of strategic advisory, capacity-building, technical support, and project management assistance to The Salvation Army country offices around the world in the Livelihoods sector with the core focus areas and primary initiatives of community-based savings groups, agriculture and livestock projects, value chain creation and improvements, micro enterprise development, and entrepreneurship trainings.
Supports in all stages of the project lifecycle a portfolio of Livelihoods initiatives; actively seeks to build the capacity of implementing partners; conducts community-based trainings in the Livelihoods core focus areas; provides strategic planning guidance; manages administration of project review and approval; develops cooperative partnerships; participates in home office activities; provides grant writing assistance; serves as SAWSO’s technical leader and representative in the Livelihood Sector; national and international travel required two-three months per year.
A primary duty of this position will be to adapt existing best practices and training resources in the larger field of Livelihoods to design and implement a micro enterprise and entrepreneurship training curriculum for The Salvation Army community context which will supplement, extend and leverage the existing project portfolio and expertise. It will include teaching and templates for: micro enterprise development, bookkeeping and budgeting, financial projections, marketing and networking, developing comparative advantages.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides a range of strategic advisory, capacity-building, and resource development assistance to The Salvation Army country offices including organizational and program development, program management training, grant writing assistance, proposal design and implementation, and ongoing technical support in the specific development sector of Livelihoods. This includes regular communication with implementing partners to assist in problem-solving, active learning, coaching and training, and the creation and sharing of templates and tools.
Partners in the full project lifecycle of Livelihoods initiatives with implementing teams around the world including research and analysis in the design phase, preparing proposals, monitoring project activities to assess achievement of objectives and assuring compliance with contractual obligations, preparing budgets and monitoring budget execution during implementation, and collection of learnings, financials, and impact results at the end of the project.
Actively seeks to build the capacity of Salvation Army officers and program personnel implementing the projects through program strategies, operations, strategic self-assessments, and training workshops.
Conducts community-based trainings for Salvation Army country offices and program beneficiaries in faith-based approaches in the Livelihoods core focus areas: savings groups, agriculture and livestock projects, value chain creation and improvements, micro enterprise development, and entrepreneurship.
Provides strategic planning assistance to Salvation Army field offices in the sector of Livelihoods and its core focus areas including, but not limited to: assisting offices to develop sector strategies and priorities, identifying and securing funding sources, initial mapping of available assets and needs assessments, and ensuring alignment with larger territorial strategies and other sectors’ activities.
Travels to country offices, international headquarters, or other supporting/donor offices as needed (2-3 months per year).
Manages the internal administration of Livelihoods project review and tracking for SAWSO by shepherding proposals through the international approval system, managing communications and questions between a diverse set of stakeholders, maintaining active tracking of project status, funding and reviewing reports within the Livelihoods portfolio.
Develops cooperative relationships with partners at other development Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs and maintains active involvement with the development community. Share learnings, collaborate on projects and combine skillsets with TSA country offices. Represents SAWSO internationally on consortiums requiring expertise related to Livelihoods (and its associated focus areas); liaise with IHQ and other Salvation Army development office personnel to accomplish global initiatives in this area.
Actively participates in organizational learning activities for the benefit of SAWSO.
Serves as SAWSO’s technical leader and representative in the Livelihood Sector; keeps current on the trends and new developments in the core areas of savings groups, agriculture and livestock, value chain creation and improvements, micro enterprise development, and entrepreneurship; serves as a resource to other SAWSO program staff.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university AND Master’s degree in International Development, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics or a field related to the assigned sector focus areas and,
five years of directly related professional experience, including experience in providing technical and knowledge driven solutions, in country-led development in the Empowerment and/or Livelihoods and/or Agriculture sector AND five years of program management experience and,
three years of experience living in a developing country and working with international economic empowerment and/or Livelihoods and/or Agriculture programs, preferably in a management role,
or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of and experience with international development project management theory, programs and their requirements including writing proposals, providing support for donor-funded activities, including United States Government funded projects. Ability to track and shepherd projects through a life cycle from start to close, ensuring both financial and programmatic compliance; ability to work closely with many staff in a team-oriented environment.
Has specialized expertise in the following areas: Livelihoods program design, curriculum development, facilitation/training, monitoring and evaluation, participatory community development, and international project/program management.
Possesses an in-depth professional and field-based knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to the Livelihoods sector and organizational capacity development programs/projects/activities in developing countries. Has thorough knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of development challenges and opportunities in the Livelihoods sector.
Technical expertise required in the international Livelihoods sector which includes in-depth knowledge of international standards and models for Livelihoods, such as VSLA, conservation agriculture and small scale livestock management, entrepreneurship training, micro enterprise development, and value chain creation and improvements. Experience working with government stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Agriculture is also preferred.
Other
Benefits after 90 days. Free underground parking and lunches offered.
Submit your cover letter and resume by secure fax to (703) 684-3478, e-mail to usn.recruit@usn.salvationarmy.org with the job title in the subject line, or send via US Mail to 615 Slaters Lane Alexandria, VA 22314, Attn: HR Office.
For more information please contact:
The Salvation Army National Headquarters
Human Resources
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-5500
For 45 years, The Salvation Army World Service Office
[SAWSO] has been improving the health, economic,
and spiritual conditions of people in poverty around the
globe. We engage individuals, families, and communities
in evaluating their needs, creating transformational
action plans, and implementing effective strategies.
SAWSO is presently engaged in more than $57 million
worth of projects throughout the world, emphasizing local
ownership and community involvement as keys for lasting
success. In all of our work, we employ a holistic, faith-based,
and community-focused approach to meet the physical,
emotional, social, and spiritual needs of those we serve.
