By 
Position title: Livelihoods Officer **
Working location: Bindura Zimbabwe
Supervisor:** Project Manager
Country : Zimbabwe
Context of the position
Established in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI) is a dynamic, international social development organization working globally to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children without parental care and those who are at the risk of losing it. SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI exists in more than 134 countries. The National Association of Zimbabwe is part of the bigger federation.
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Livelihood Officer will be responsible for guiding, coaching and supporting the Care Leavers that grew up in Zimbabwe SOS Children’s Villages, Bindura programme in the area of livelihoods activities and or income generating activities.
The officer will be responsible to identify, support and implement viable livelihoods or income-generating activities (based on the capacity, interest and prior experience of the Care Leavers) sustainably meet the needs of their families.
He/she will be responsible to provide training on income generating activities, i.e. on how to start and manage business. This includes provision and management of start-up capital based on feasible and practical business plan. The Officer will also work with relevant stakeholders like NGOs, private institutions and relevant government offices to develop sustainable livelihoods that helps the Care leavers to become self-sufficient and raising of their self-esteem.
Main clients:
- Project Manager
- Mental Health and Psychosocial support Officer
- National Management team
- Relevant internal and external stakeholders
Key performance areas and main responsibilities:
1. Provision of start-up capital and training on how to start your business (SYB) and on how to manage your business (MYB)
§ Conduct an assessment of individual care leavers to serve as an input to develop livelihood plan considering their individual interest, capacities and prior experience (if any).
§ Together with Project manager ,Mental Health and Psychosocial officer develop individual care leavers plan to guide implementation.
§ Design, execute, and monitor a practical youth entrepreneurship program that targets the Care Leavers in business improvement and financing.
§ Identify and equip the care leavers with short-term vocational skills relevant to run their own business.
§ Identify and link care leavers with business mentors and financial institutions to access credit and other services.
§ Coordinate with internal & external stakeholders to improve the entrepreneurship development program and livelihoods activities of the Care Leavers.
§ Works closely with colleagues at national and regional levels to identify potential entrepreneur Care Leavers and coordinate complementary activities
- Mentorship and Technical Support in Growing and Sustaining livelihoods activities.
§ Provide one to one mentoring and coaching to the Care Leavers from time to time to actively engage them in the livelihoods activities .
§ Appropriately plan and organize outcome-focused activities to engage Care leavers in a viable livelihoods activities. This includes collaborating with the Psychosocial support officer to help the Care Leavers overcome social and emotional barriers.
§ Establish a positive and interactive relationship with each beneficiary for them to understand the intended outcome of the project and to benefit from it as intended in the design.
- Programme planning and monitoring of the Livelihood activities
§ Lead and support the planning and development of the livelihood activities for each Care Leavers in a collaboration with the Project Manager and Psychosocial support officer.
§ Communicate with the relevant stakeholders on the status and progress of the livelihood activities implementation that they are all aware of the progress and development of the livelihood programme intervention.
§ Submit weekly, monthly , quarterly progress reports to the Project Manager
- Ensure proper project financial Management with the support from the Finance team:
§ Undertake regular financial monitoring meant for the implementation of the livelihood activities, and undertake follow up with national and location Finance department.
§ Support the Project Manager to make sure that financial reports/records are up-to-date and make them available to auditors when needed.
- Management Youth Adults Building Projects.
§ Support the project manager in planning and implementation of construction activities, verification of land acquisitions and documentations.
§ Support the Project Manager implement construction activities.
§ Monitor building progress and report any challenge with a contractor to the Project manager for early and appropriate intervention.
Knowledge, skills and abilities required **
· Project development & business skills
· Experience in the development and operations of income developing projects.
· A record of accomplishment in the implementation of livelihood activities and or income generating activities with vulnerable groups.
· Experienced in devising and implementing strategies to achieve financial targets.
- Hands on experience on agri business projects, youth empowerment, Value chain.
- Good monitoring, evaluation and reporting skill.
- Experience of successfully diversifying income streams.
Required qualification
- Advanced Degree in social sciences such as Business Management, Community Development, Project Management and related field of study.
- At least 5 years’ professional experience in the development of livelihood strategies, income-generating activities.
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