Program Officer

Job Summary:

The Program Officer is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Care and Support Program and Self-Help Group (SHG) Program. The position provides technical leadership and supervision to project staff and volunteers, ensures quality service delivery, strengthens community-based support systems, and promotes household economic empowerment through SHG interventions.

The Project Officer will work closely with government offices, community structures, schools, health facilities, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of project activities and achievement of project objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management and Coordination

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of OVC and SHG program activities.
• Develop annual, quarterly, and monthly work plans and ensure their timely implementation.
• Ensure program activities are implemented in accordance with approved plans, budgets, organizational policies, and donor requirements.
• Coordinate program activities with relevant government offices, schools, health facilities, and community structures.
• Strengthen community-based child protection and support mechanisms.
• Ensure vulnerable children receive appropriate referrals and access to support services.
• Oversee SHG formation, strengthening, monitoring, and graduation processes.
• Lead and support household economic strengthening initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide technical support to Community Development Workers, Caregivers, and SHG Facilitators.
• Conduct regular field supervision visits to monitor performance and provide coaching and mentoring.
• Identify capacity-building needs and organize training for staff and volunteers.
• Organize regular review meetings and monitor progress against project targets.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation

• Monitor program indicators and ensure quality data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual narrative reports.
• Ensure proper maintenance of program records, files, and documentation.
• Collect, document, and report quarterly success stories, case studies, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Conduct beneficiary interviews and field visits to assess and document program impact.
• Support program assessments, evaluations, donor monitoring visits, and audits.
• Monitor home visits, counseling services, psychosocial support activities, educational support interventions, and child protection services to ensure quality implementation.

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with child safeguarding, protection, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Promote accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct throughout program implementation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Community Development, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in NGO program implementation, preferably in OVC, child protection, livelihoods, or community development programs.
• Experience in SHG promotion and household economic strengthening programs is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Strong report-writing, coordination, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to project sites.

Required Competencies:

• Leadership and team management skills.
• Strong planning, monitoring, and reporting abilities.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and networking skills.
• Commitment to child safeguarding and protection.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Skills Required:

• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development