Socio-Economic Strengthening Officer

FACT Zimbabwe is a Christian based organisation that was instituted in 1987. Since establishment, FACT Zimbabwe has been a leading national HIV and development organisation implementing various projects directly and through partnerships. The organization have since grown to become a broad-based health and development organization whilst maintaining special focus on HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and related health issues. It envisions ‘Healthy Communities and a Healthy Nation’ and has a national footprint directly and through partnerships. FACT seeks the services of staff for staff as detailed below;

JOB TITLE: Socio-Economic Strengthening Officer
DEPARTMENT: SSL
DUTY STATION: Makoni
NUMBER OF JOB HOLDERS: (1)

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Socio-Economic Strengthening Officer is responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that integrate economic strengthening, education and parenting strategies
under the DREAMS SMART and SPACE for OVC programs. This dual-role position aims to support OVC households and AGYW and their communities in achieving economic stability while fostering an environment of continuous learning and skill development. The officer will collaborate with internal teams, community stakeholders, and clients to create impactful programs that address the interconnected challenges of poverty and education.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

District Coordinator
⬆️
Socio-Economic Strengthening Officer

KEY RESULT AREAS

• Program Planning, Implementation and Management
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Delivery of Results
• Documentation and Reporting
• Networking and Partnership-Building
• Safeguarding

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Performance Area # 1: Implementation and Management of Education and Parenting Thematic Area
• Lead in the identification, profiling and enrolling of the most at risk OVC as in line with the case management system and AGYW for education assistance at Primary, and Secondary levels as set by the SPACE for OVC/DREAMS SMART Girls selection criteria through strengthening community identification and referral systems.
• Develop and implement economic strengthening programs that promote OVC household sustainability and resilience.
• Provide training and support for School Development Committees (SDCs) AGYW and caregivers of OVC in financial literacy, enterprise skills development, inclusive business and participatory market skills development,  work-readiness and safeguarding.
• Develop transformative partnerships with public institutions, Government line ministries, private companies, associations and development organizations to create partnerships that create markets, enhance profitability, provide skills development and employment opportunities for AGYW and caregivers of OVC.
• Draw up costed-workplans for implementation and liaise with the Education & Parenting and Economic Strengthening Specialists as well as finance department for financial and material resources.
• Address the needs of CALHIV in the SPACE program and AGYW at risk of HIV and GBV to successfully transition and complete secondary school education.
• Support the FMP Facilitators during the formation of FMP sessions groups and provide ongoing mentorship throughout each wave.
• Produce mentoring and supervision reports and submit to the District Coordinator, ES and Education and Parenting Specialists for support in implementing recommendations.
• Conduct gap analysis in the SPACE for OVC & DREAMS SMART Girls projects implementation, as well as capacity gaps among FMP Facilitators.
• Support DSD to roll out Family Club sessions to caregivers of enrolled program participants through trained CCWs
• Make timely acquittals of expenditure supported by all relevant documentation to finance office.
• Link OVC Households and at risk AGYW to Economic strengthening interventions that overcome financial barriers to accessing services.
• Track and report on educational outcomes and impact, ensuring alignment with overall program goals.
• To conduct case management to children and caregivers enrolled in the project.
• Link enrolled OVC caregivers and AGYW to mentoring support interventions.

Key Performance Area #2: Delivery of program and M & E activities in the district 
• Ensure that all staff and community cadres involved in the SPACE for OVC and DREAMS SMART Girls programs implementation have adequate and correct data collection and other working tools to ensure that standards are maintained.
• Consolidate and file all program data from the field.
• Ensure integration of thematic area activities into the district project detailed work plan for effective coordination with other thematic areas.
• Ensure quality service delivery to beneficiaries and their caregivers according to PERPFAR Guidelines.
• Liaise with the ES and Education and Parenting Specialist for planning and reporting on project activities and progress.
• Monitor project progress and performance in line with the project MEAL plan, ensuring targets and timelines are being met.
• Produce site support reports as required for SPACE for OVC and DREAMS SMART projects.
• Participate in the documentation of case studies, key lessons learnt, success stories and best practices.
• Participate in FACT learning and capacity strengthening activities.
• Lead in drawing up quality improvement plans related to economic strengthening and education interventions at district level.
• Conduct periodic review meetings with facilitators and stakeholders.

Key Performance Area #3: Liaise with partners and stakeholders 
• Liaise with partners and district stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of project activities.
• Conduct community sensitization meetings on the SPACE for OVC and DREAMS SMART Girls projects interventions and beneficiary selection processes in collaboration with the relevant government line ministries and partners.
• Collaborate and network with Child Protection Committees at local and district level and other NGOs through scheduled formal and informal meetings and other discussion forums.
• Refer caregivers for linkages to economic strengthening community groups to enable parents/ caregivers to generate income for self-reliance.
• Develop monthly and quarterly reports for submission to key stakeholders as required.

Key Performance Area #4: Safeguarding
• Abide by the Child Protection/ Safeguarding policies within their day-to-day activities.
• Conduct regular risk assessment for safeguarding to ensure the program does not put OVC and AGYW in a position of harm.
• Orient partners and volunteers to ensure safeguarding of AGYW, OVC and their caregivers in all activities by the programme.
• Ensure AGYW safety in the place of work through bi-weekly check-ins and documented support visits.
• Inform program participants and partners expected behaviours towards them and reporting mechanisms available in the event of a violation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QAULIFICATIONS and SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Economics, Education, Social Work, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. A masters degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in economic development, education, community development, or related areas.
• Strong understanding of the intersection between economic stability and educational attainment.
• Proven experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data collection and analysis.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, including community organizations, private sector, government agencies, and program participants.
• Commitment to the mission and values of FACT Zimbabwe, with a passion for community empowerment and sustainability.