Cluster Officer - Agriculture & Economic Development

World Vision International – Vietnam (WVV) invites Vietnamese competent candidates for the following position:

01 Cluster Officer - Agriculture & Economic Development,
Regular work base: Thanh Hoa province, preferable in Lang Chanh district

Interested candidates are invited to apply ONLINE via WORLD VISION VIETNAM'S WEBSITE BY 08 MAY 2016 - https://careers.wvi.org/jobs/vietnam/food-security-and-livelihood/wvv-cl...

INTRODUCTION

WVV’s Area Development Programs (ADP) focuses within one administrative district of a province which usually populated by ethnic minority people with very high rates of poverty. ADPs are mainly funded by sponsorship funds, and are a phased approach to development, involving clear and consistent assessment, design, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and reflection phases. Each ADP is tailored to the needs of a specific community in alignment with WVV’s strategic priorities. WVV works closely with district and commune local authorities and local partners to implement program activities. A uniqueness of WVV’s ADP approach and structure is that team members are based at district level where the ADP is located, which enables them to work closely with government partners and communities on a daily basis.

The current ADP structure is based on sectoral approach with one staff in charge of one sectoral project. In FY11, WVV pilots new ADP structure. Under each ADP, there will be 6-8 staff, including 1 ADP manager, 1 Sponsorship Facilitator, 1 Finance Officer/Bookkeeper, 1 ADP Coordinator and 2-4 Development Facilitators (DFs) who are in charge of all projects and programme activities for around 2 assigned communes/wards in their ADP (from assessment to planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and transition). For each cluster (3-5 ADPs), there are 4 technical cluster staff: Health/Watsan/HIV/AIDS; Education/Child Participation; Agriculture and Economic Development; DME/Capacity Building. DFs will be coached by the ADP Manager programmatically and the technical cluster staff technically. One of the strengths of this structure is to allow better integration of the program toward Child Well being Outcomes.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• To support WVV to implement its overall strategic direction to maximize the quality and impact of WVV programs in Agriculture and Economic Development in the assigned ADPs;
• To lead the process of identifying, developing, testing, implementing and mainstreaming best practices in Agriculture and Economic Development in the assigned ADPs;
• To provide technical support, advice, and capacity building opportunities to WVV staff and partners to enhance the quality of Agriculture and Economic Development activities;

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Give inputs to the WVV Agriculture Strategy and Economic Development Strategy annually. Provide inputs and assistance to the ADPs to develop and improve Agriculture and Economic Development training modules/ manual annually/ guidelines.
• Review design documents of the designated ADPs, ensuring that these documents are aligned with WVV Agriculture and Economic Development Strategies and responsive to the real needs of the children in the ADPs;
• Ensure that assessment and planning processes have active participation of the parents, community people, children and key project partners. This might include reviewing the process, documents of assessment & planning of the ADPs in the cluster. Ensure all interventions in agriculture and economic development of cluster ADPs are operated in clear and relevant road map
• Review all log frames and POAs (Plan of Action) of the ADPs in the cluster annually. Review all annual reports of the ADPs in the cluster and provide feedbacks for improvement. Review and update indicators at national strategy and ADP project annually for MIS;
• Introduce relevant technical models, tools, methods  for monitoring the best practices of the models in Agriculture and Economic Development to the ADP staff for their use and follow-up supports for effective application
• Support the ADP staff through daily contacts to ensure that the Agriculture and Economic Development activities, are monitored periodically (quarterly-annually) to ensure that the ADP provides maximum benefits to children;
• Participate in the following events within a year: assessment of the ADPs in the cluster,  Agriculture & Economic Development review and  ADP Evaluation; Carry out at least three visits for each ADP per year and suggest solutions to problems identified during the field trip to enhance the quality of services of both Agriculture and Economic Development;
• Give support such as trainings, mentoring, coaching, and advices on material resources, external/ internal consultants/ trainers to ADP staff, so that they could implement their POAs effectively according to the plan with the participation of the community people and children.
• Coordinate all TOT (Training of Trainers) Agriculture and Economic Development trainings annually for the cluster ADPs and support in follow up action plan after TOT training. Act as the trainer assistant to the TOT trainings. Support ADP in preparing TOR, act as resource person in TOT training events. Support the ADP staff to organize study visits, learning networks and regional workshops relating to Agriculture and Economic development best practices;
• Document best practices on Agriculture, Economic Development and Environment mainstreaming, share and use for adjustment, in consultation with NCs (National Coordinator) Agriculture and Economic Development, Communication and Advocacy staff;
• Identify technical training needs of staff and organize workshops and learning network to ensure that ADP staff got adequate technical trainings as per their training needs. Review and provide comments for further improvement of Individual Development Plan of the Project Assistants/ DFs in the assigned ADPs
• Provide assistance to the ADP managers in establishing, and maintaining relationships with government departments, especially DARD, Agriculture Extension Service, VET Service  at the Provincial and District levels and local partners involved in Agriculture and Economic Development activities such as Commune Agriculture council, farmer association, woman and youth unions, CBOs, etc and external Agriculture experts in and outside WVV. Represent WVV at relevant forums, meetings, working groups and workshops relating to Agriculture and Economic Development in the cluster ADPs
• Build working relationships with the ADP staff in the cluster ADP by meetings and setting working plans with them at least twice a year. Attend meeting with NC Agriculture, and Economic Development for sharing and learning; Improve networking skills by actively joining Agriculture Community of Practice initiative of WVI. Establish Agriculture and Economic Development Interest groups and supportive network and promote sharing among these groups and Agriculture and Economic Development staff outside WVV.
• Fill and update all training manuals/ documents of Agriculture/ Economic Development sectors in designed ADPs, share to NO for purpose of documentation and sharing in the sector network
• Explore needs for further funding to address the burning problems faced by the households and their children relating to  Agriculture and Economic Development; Assist NC Agriculture and Economic Development to propose these issues through Concept paper, proposals. 
• Carry out other tasks and any assignments when required by the organization. Ensure WV standards of child protection are maintained. Participate in Rapid Response Team in disaster risk reduction.

JOB REQUIREMENT

The following knowledge, skills and abilities may be acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self-education, prior experience, or on the job training:

• Bachelor degree in animal science, agriculture, agricultural economics or a related field
• Conceptual understanding of and commitment to development work, especially Christian, child-focused, community-based development concepts, approaches and processes.
• Ability to communicate and relate effectively with a diverse range of people (i.e. project beneficiaries, Government officials, project partners, WVV staff).
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and motivate staff and partners.
• Good reading and report writing skills in English.
• Good computer skills (word processing, excel, power point & email).
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision, exercise judgment, meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Willing to learn to advance career in Agriculture and Economic Development fields;
• Have Research ability and interest;
• Be willing to travel to the ADPs in the cluster.
• Experience in working in the area of community development and/or with non-governmental organization. 
• Experience of and demonstrated ability to effectively network with a diverse range of multi-lateral, and government bodies;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating projects and ensuring that recommendations are implemented.

World Vision Vietnam is a Christian non-government organization. Applicants having working experience in a similar kind of organization will be an advantage.

Our contact details are:

People and Culture Department
World Vision International - Vietnam
Address: 4th floor, the HEAC building, 14-16 Ham Long street, Hanoi
Tel: 04. 39439920 (ext.118)

We give equal opportunity to every candidate, regardless of religion, race and gender.

A competitive salary, benefits and career development opportunity will be offered and commensurate with the experience, qualifications and responsibilities.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization which works to improve the quality of life of people, especially children, who are marginalized and living in poverty regardless of religion, race and gender.