REGIONAL SOCIAL ECONOMIC SERVICES COORDINATOR

The USAID/Empowered Children and Adolescent Program I (USAID/ECAP I) works to mitigate against the impact of HIV and improve the health and well-being of Vulnerable Children and Adolescents (VCA) through the delivery of high-impact, evidence-based, and age-appropriate interventions with a family-centered, customized approach for each VCA sub-population. The activity is being implemented by the Catholic Medical Mission Board Zambia (CMMB-Z) in partnership with Pact Zambia, Grassroots Soccer (GRS), and the Catholic Medical Mission Board Inc.

About the Project

CMMB Zambia has been implementing a USAID project, Empowered Children and Adolescents Program I (USAID/ECAP I) since September 30, 2020. The project will continue and is scheduled to end on September 29, 2025.

USAID/ECAP I seeks to improve the social and health outcomes of vulnerable households in the high HIV burden districts of Chingola, Kitwe, Luanshya, Ndola, and Mufulira in Copperbelt province, Solwezi district in North-Western province, Mansa and Nchelenge districts in Luapula Province and Kasama and Mbala in Northern Province.

USAID/ECAP I is inviting applications from suitably qualified individuals with relevant experience for the following position aimed at contributing to the strategic vision of the USAID/ECAP I Project.

Job Title: Regional Economic Strengthening Coordinator

Department/Unit: Programs

Location: Ndola and Mansa

Reports to: Regional Social Services Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Economic Strengthening and Parenting Coordinator will be responsible for the design, implementation and technical quality of strategies and activities to improve the economic stability of young people and households caring for vulnerable children and adolescents supported by USAID Empowered Youth Project I (ECAP1). S/he plays will play a pivotal role in planning for all aspects of livelihoods and economic opportunities related activities for the project by ensuring that these services respond to the needs of the intended beneficiaries and project objectives.

This includes coordination and provision of TA and support related to economic strengthening activities including, but not limited to, training and mentoring of Community Economic Strengthening and Parenting Facilitators (CESPF) and case workers on economic strengthening approaches, innovations, and models; oversight of savings groups; enterprise development and links to wage employment activities; and to ensure that Economic Strengthening components are linked to the project goal. This position will report to the Regional Social Services Coordinator Based at Project Management Unit (PMU) in Ndola and Regional Office in Mansa

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise Economic Strengthening program activities, ensuring a high-level of quality including the design, development and implementation of technical guidance as it relates to Economic Strengthening, ensuring all activities are addressing the needs of VCA and their caregivers.
Exercising a supportive supervision approach, train and mentor technical staff responsible for service provision, child wellbeing and the empowerment of vulnerable adolescents and their caregivers.
Build awareness of key Economic Strengthening concepts and principles among the project staff. This includes assisting families in earning and saving income, managing money, allocating household resources to improving children and youth’s wellness outcomes, and small business and enterprise development and management.
Develop and guide project staff and CESPF on effective methodologies for identifying appropriate Economic Strengthening interventions for specific households and VCA (i.e. credit and market opportunities, group savings, income generation, micro-enterprise development training, other vocational training opportunities, etc.). Train/mentor in principles and standards for good implementation of, or linkages to these interventions.
Develop and ensure the implementation of strategies and interventions that promote the economic empowerment of VCAs and Young People.
Coordinate the implementation of PEPFAR approved evidence-based Economic Strengthening interventions with partners and beneficiaries.
Ensure the documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned, capture timely, high-quality information and utilize data to inform decisions and foster learning and innovation.
Monitor and maintain relevant manuals, training materials, and reports for economic strengthening.
Ensure all economic strengthening strategies are gender-sensitive and promote equitable programming.
Create and implement a plan to engage the private sector in economic strengthening activities for greater and sustainable impacts.
Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual planning, monitoring, and reporting for all Economic Strengthening related activities.
Oversee pilot or demonstration projects to test and adopt specific ES activities.
Regularly visit savings groups to provide appreciative support and supportive supervision and to ensure that a spirit of motivated teamwork and open communication is maintained throughout the project sites.
Identifying emerging areas of challenge and participating in the modification of program materials to meet those needs.
Ensuring that program information is accurately and promptly communicated from and to the field.
Regularly travel to the field to provide Economic Strengthening technical support and mentorship to the CESPF, Anchor Farmers and Small Livestock Committees.
Contribute to work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and other reports and papers summarizing project results and evidence.
Prepare regular reports documenting processes, outputs and outcomes of Ecomic Strengthening work and report to the Regional Social Services Coordinator
Maintain a respectful workplace by always modelling respectful behaviour and supporting co-workers’ opinions and ideas. Report complaints of harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environment

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Health or any related Social Science with relevant experience in the field area
Five experience in designing, implementing and monitoring household economic strengthening activities working on multifaceted and complex development programs.
Should have technical management experience, including direct supervision of Community Volunteers and technical teams
Must have knowledge of social protection, household economic strengthening, and microenterprise and market development instruments and frameworks
Experience in leveraging private sector partnerships and resources for creation of business opportunities, business mentorship and skills training, market access, strategies to strengthen household resilience, etc.
Demonstrated leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical and management expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills including such skills in English.
Ability to work independently and manage a high-volume workflow without constant or close supervision
Must have excellent training skills in working with adult learners, particularly at the community level, experience in an appreciative approach a plus.