District Projects 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’s programming focuses on 4 strategic pillars Safeguarding and Sustainable Livelihoods (SSL), Health and Well-being (HW), Strategic Information and Research (SIR) and Organisational Efficiency and Effectiveness (OEE). FACT seeks the services staff detailed below;

District Project Officer: Job Description
Reporting to: Program Officer

Job summary

The District Project Officer (DPO) works under the supervision of the Program Officer in ensuring that all GF interventions in the targeted districts are coordinated and implemented smoothly to ensure that the project achieve its desired outcomes. As such the District Officer is expected to lead in recruitment of community cadres, training of community cadres, engagement of all district-level key stakeholders, and ensuring that all data collected in his/her respective districts is used for decision making. The individual must be a team player and an independent thinker who is creative, self-confident and able to engage all relevant stakeholders in a constructive manner to ensure that the project is effectively coordinated and managed at district level.

Roles and responsibilities

The Main responsibilities of the DO are:
1. Community Mobilization
1.1. Ensure relevant and target population are identified and recruited to participate in the CSS project and to benefit from the services provided under the CSS project in line with
terms and conditions of the grant.
1.2. Conduct regular monitoring of project progress and covering and providing updates to the Program Officer.
1.3. Organize meetings and trainings of selected community cadres in line with project objectives
1.4. Identify appropriate venues and target groups for training and marketing of services offered by the project.

2. Grassroots Project Supervision

2.1. Work with community volunteers and AGYW representatives to facilitate successful project implementation.
2.2. Promote wider community participation in project activities through promoting visibility of the Project and marketing of project products.
2.3. Ensure that community volunteers deliver and provide designated quality, timely and acceptable services to communities as per project mandate.

3. Training, Capacity Building & Reporting 

3.1. Training community volunteers in line with project mandate and expectations
3.2. Facilitate efficient and correct use of project gadgets
3.3. Training community cadres on use and management of community monitoring tools  provided.
3.4. Generates training level and community engagement reports identifying key challenges and opportunities for improved project outcomes.

4. Stakeholder engagement

4.1. Identify, mobilise and work with relevant district level stakeholders for the successful uptake of the project.
4.2. Conducts periodic meetings with stakeholders reporting on project progress, challenges and opportunities .
4.3. Facilitates engagement in community dialogues for improved local advocacy.

5. Referrals & Network building & Demand Creation

5.1. Develops local community / district referral pathways for SRHR/ TB/ HIV/ Malaria services and connects service users with service providers
5.2. Activates services demand through demand generation activities
5.3. Identifies service bottlenecks and works with local stakeholders to improve on service provision.

Skills and attributes

Experience in leading community lead advocacy; Experience and skills in managing community health cadres, sound understanding of Ministry of Health structure. Appreciation of key populations programming in Zimbabwe. Ability to write comprehensive reports; Strong verbal and written communication skills; analytical mind and inclination on problem-solving. Experience in engaging and working with all relevant stakeholders at District Level.

Qualifications and experience 

Minimum of university degree in Social Science, Health Promotion or any other related degree, with at least 2 years relevant experience in advocacy project or Community Systems Strengthening
interventions. Ability to write comprehensive reports; Strong verbal and written communication skills;