Job Purpose

The role of the Field Manager is to support the Programme Officers in rolling out the Mafisa activities across the project area.  S/he is responsible for managing the Field Office and community-based staff (Programme Officers, Area Coordinators, Rangeland Monitors and Community Agents)  in developing grazing and fire management plans for farmers; maintaining records, planning land assessments; conducting meetings with farmers and explaining the land usage and the ability to analyse fire situations. In addition, the Field Manager will also support the relevant team with the delivery of animal health services, community development and livelihood activities.

Duties and responsibilities include:

Program Management

• Hold weekly check-in meetings with Programme Officers and Area coordinators to track reporting on animal health and rangeland management service delivery and disease outbreaks
• Review procurement plans submitted by Programme Officers and work with Finance team to ensure clear justification, value for money and timely supply of all materials and resources needed to assist them with delivering services.
• Oversee the performance of Programme Officers, Area Coordinators, Rangeland Monitors and Community Agents to ensure delivery of agreed KPIs, and lead the fulfilment of requirements for grazing and fire management, programme delivery and reporting.

Programme Delivery and Reporting

• Lead the formation of Community Committees in all operational areas and ensure that Community Committee Meetings are conducted, and procedures are documented illustrating free, prior informed consent (FPIC) in line with protocols.

• Support the Area Coordinators in planning and delivering animal health services by:

1. Reviewing status reports collected by the Area Coordinators for precise delivery of animal treatments, especially vaccinations, dipping and tagging.
2. Check inventory records of all veterinary drugs and equipment, vaccines, syringes and any other such items used by the Community Agents

• According to the agreed schedule, hold weekly check-in meetings with Area coordinators to track reporting, service delivery and disease outbreaks.
• Where necessary meet with government extension workers in the community as part of networking and information sharing
• Support the Mafisa project with field-related assessments such as evaluations, studies and/or other project related activities.
• Support other technical areas when requested

Grazing and fire management

• Oversee the development of Community Fire management and grazing plans with local farmers
• Monitor the presence of signed Community Fire management and grazing plans agreements with each community.
• Assist in planning grazing blocks
• Checked grazing plans to assess appropriate grazing times
• Assist the Rangland Management Specialist in monitoring community grazing and fire management plans and operating instructions, in relation to:

1. Number of livestock in the grazing block
2. rotational grazing practices
3. range improvement and maintenance, and availability of water in the grazing block

• Maintain communication with rangeland users/farmers to explain needed maintenance work and report noncompliance to the supervisor.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• In consultation with the Head of Mwandi Field Office, ensure constant communication and consultation with stakeholders at the district level, including communities, traditional leaders, local authorities, and district Agriculture and Veterinary Officers.
• Serve as the focal point person for committees to facilitate the development of committee bylaws.
• Verify the selection of livelihood options as agreed upon by the community and local authorities to complement animal health, grazing and fire management activities.
• Monitor and ensure that Committee, Area Coordinators, Community Agents and Rangeland Field Monitors all adhere to Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) and Child Labour standards as prescribed by Mafisa.
• Coordinate with the Marketing Officer on market opportunities for farmers in the project area.
• Ensure that Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) forms are signed by all communities participating in the program and filed (physical and electronic) accordingly.

Human Resources

• In liaison with the HR Manager, lead the screening and recruitment of the Area Coordinators and Community Agents with the Programme Officers.
• Ensure all employees and contractors are familiar with the requirements of contract compliance over HSSE, Prevention of Child Labour Guidelines, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Anti-Corruption policy.
• Review staffing arrangements by organising staff allocation of annual leave and sickness to ensure operational requirements are met.
• Identify and deal with any potential disciplinary issues in liaison with the HR Manager.
• Identify skills gaps and develop staff training to ensure personnel are adequately trained for the tasks they are due to perform.
• Track the performance of each direct report and administer Performance Evaluation to all direct reports according to schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (animal health, development studies, forestry, gender studies, social work, Community Development or a related field)
• Diploma qualification may be considered with relevant years of experience
• Knowledge of regenerative grazing practices is advantageous.

 Experience

• At least five years of experience in community mobilisation or related fields
• Strong understanding of gender and power dynamics and their impact on women’s economic empowerment and rural livelihoods
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong training and capacity building skills, with the ability to engage communities and promote behaviour change
• Willingness to travel to local communities as needed
• A strong personal commitment to the values of Mafisa
• A high level of motivation and ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Ideal

• Experience in decentralized teams
• Experience in supervising staff

Reporting to the Head of the Field Office Mwandi