Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an organization dedicated to partnering with communities that have been impacted by conflict, climate change, and disasters. The organization aims to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being. Established with a mission to provide humanitarian assistance, RI operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on various programming areas including Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods, which are essential for fostering community resilience. RI is structured as an alliance comprising four corporate members: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France, and Relief International-Europe, all of which operate under a unified management framework. This collaborative approach enhances the effectiveness of their humanitarian efforts across different regions.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of the 'Y-LEAD BARMM: Catalyzing Youth Leadership for Peacebuilding and Participatory Governance in Lanao del Sur' project. This initiative is designed to strengthen youth leadership in peacebuilding, governance, and local policy participation. The Project Officer is responsible for providing technical support and coaching to implementing partners and youth groups, ensuring that training sessions are executed effectively, and that stakeholder engagement is robust. The role also involves documenting field activities and contributing to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes, adhering to Relief International's standards and principles. The Project Officer will work closely with various stakeholders, including local government units (LGUs) and community actors, to address challenges and ensure the project's objectives are met.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer's responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at ensuring the effective delivery of project activities. Key duties include providing technical support at the field level, coordinating with implementing partners and community actors, and managing routine challenges that arise during project implementation. The officer is expected to document field activities accurately and in a timely manner for MEAL purposes. Additionally, the Project Officer will organize and facilitate various training sessions, workshops, and community dialogues, ensuring that all activities are inclusive and sensitive to gender and cultural contexts. The role also involves mentoring youth leaders and organizations, supporting the development of Youth Civic Action Plans, and engaging with local stakeholders to promote youth participation. The Project Officer will be responsible for data collection, documentation of success stories, and ensuring compliance with RI's accountability mechanisms. Furthermore, the officer will prepare budgets and procurement requests, maintain professional relationships with stakeholders, and submit regular reports on project progress and insights.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Project Officer position must possess a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Community Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Education, or related disciplines. Additionally, a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in development, peacebuilding, youth engagement, governance, or community work, particularly in the BARMM region, is essential. Experience working with local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and youth groups in Muslim-majority cultural contexts is highly desirable. Strong skills in training facilitation, mentoring, community organizing, and advocacy are also required, along with excellent coordination and communication abilities, especially in multi-stakeholder environments.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Project Officer position includes a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Community Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Education, or other related areas. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of community dynamics and the principles of peacebuilding and governance.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in areas related to development, peacebuilding, youth engagement, governance, or community work, particularly within the BARMM region. This experience should include working with local government units, civil society organizations, and youth groups, as well as involvement in training facilitation and community advocacy efforts. Familiarity with the operational challenges faced in humanitarian contexts is also beneficial.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of Relief International's operations. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the Philippines, particularly those prevalent in the BARMM region, would be advantageous and could enhance communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The Project Officer role is classified under the T3 - Technical job family level and requires standard pre-employment checks. The position involves travel to project sites, which is necessary for effective implementation and stakeholder engagement. The role does not have direct reports or budget responsibilities, but it requires strong relationship management skills with various stakeholders, including the Programs team, MEAL, support staff, BARMM ministries, local government units, and implementing partners. The position is full-time and is focused on delivering impactful programs in a challenging and dynamic environment.