Intensive Economic Strengthening Program Officer at FHI 360

Project Description:

• The Intensive Economic Strengthening (IES) component of the FHI 360 DREAMS program aims to decrease young women’s reliance on transactional sex and strengthen young women’s self-efficacy and decision-making power in relationships. Economic disparity related to gender inequality is an ongoing and complex driver of HIV. Implementing robust and intensive evidence-based economic strengthening interventions is a priority for DREAMS to decrease young women’s reliance on transactional sex and strengthen young women’s self-efficacy and decision-making power in relationships.

Position Description:

• The DREAMS Intensive Economic Strengthening (IES) Program Officer will be responsible for providing the IES Implementing Partners with programmatic support. Furthermore, S/he will be an integral member of the CDS IES program and will provide the IES team with regular support to improve and meet the objectives of the IES program as outlined by the Funder.The IES Programme Officer will report to the IES Area Manager. To be successful in this role, the incumbent will be required to travel within the province/s to fulfil the requirements for effective implementation of CDS programmatic goals for the IES project.

Key Responsibility Areas:

• Provide daily ongoing programmatic support to IES implementing partners (IPs).
• Supervise, coordinate, and support the DREAMS Ambassador Program for FHI 360.
• Ensure that IPs meet submission deadlines, and the deliverables are in accordance with what has been prescribed.
• Identify weekly reporting discrepancies and report the same.
• Identify risks pertaining to implementation at partner level and recommend possible mitigation strategies.
• Recommend and support refinement of program materials, IES assessments, and processes to measure progress along the IES pathways aligned with the graduation benchmark.
• Keep abreast with emerging best practices in market linkages and intensive economic strengthening for young women and document such findings. Assistance with IES administration and logistic co-ordination.
• Contribute to all documentation of project activities and achievements (success stories).
• Serve as liaison and maintain good relations with the IES IPs and other significant stakeholders.
• Maintain DREAMS meeting trackers for all IPs and ensure that invitations are shared, and meeting outcomes are recorded.
• Support Area Manager and SI in monitoring implementation fidelity of IES model, namely Siyakha Inspired Model
• Support IES team to conduct site visits and fidelity checks to IES districts to monitor implementation of IES activities.
• Liaise with the M&E team in tracking and reporting related targets.
• Support the report writing process for IES on a monthly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc basis.
• Compilation of slide presentations to enhance regular meetings.

Oversight, communication, and coordination 

• Support IES Team in implanting the IES program through sub awardees.
• Meet regularly with IES Team and provide ongoing support.
• Advise IES Area Manager on matters of concern and elements of risk regarding DREAMS IES implementation and target achievement.
• Collaborate with SI team on performance results analysis, visualization, and reporting.
• Undertake periodic data-driven program reviews and troubleshooting as necessary

Target tracking, progress review and reporting 

• Report on progress, issues, challenges, and local risk management.
• Compile routine and ad hoc reports for DREAMS senior leadership.
• Support with compiling monthly, quarterly, and annual narrative progress reports.
• Support IES Area Manager with weekly tracking, analyzing, and managing periodic target achievements across all provinces.
• Ensure that partners coordinate, develop, and maintain high quality program documents, e.g.,trackers, work plans, agendas, minutes of meetings, training reports, etc.
• Work with the MER unit to track program implementation and routinely review, evaluate, and strengthen program implementation.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications, Experience/Skills:

• Diploma / Degree in Economics or Social Sciences or any related field.
• Previous DREAMS experience will be advantageous.
• At least 3 progressive years of experience as a Program Officer in Economic Strengthening or Workforce Development in South Africa.
• Demonstrated experience with working on youth development programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the potential private/public sector support landscape for young women in South Africa
• At least two years demonstrated PEPFAR experience in supporting a team preferred.
• Strong familiarity with PEPFAR and USAID policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and reporting requirements for INGO-led projects
• Proven administration and inter-personal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Valid South African driver’s license.
• Eligibility to work in South Africa.