Project Field Officer (base in Sopbao District, Houaphanh Province)

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

SNV in Lao PDR has had a presence since 1993. In Lao PDR, SNV implements agri-food, energy and water projects. We prioritize interventions that address gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and institution strengthening. Our work is aligned with the country’s 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the National Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan. In the agri-food sector, we have contributed to reducing the stunting prevalence of children under five. We work on diversifying diets through household production and commercialising agriculture value chains by strengthening farmer linkages to markets.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org.

Background

SNV in partnership with WFP is implementing a nutrition project under component 4 of the Sustainable Rural Infrastructure and Watershed Management Sector Project (SRIWMSP). The aim of the project is to improve household nutrition through the production of nutrient-dense crops at the household level. The project focuses on ensuring year-round availability of four food groups: carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits and legumes for household consumption. The project builds the capacity of District Agriculture staff to use participatory approaches to take stock of the gaps and needs of the community as well as strengthens the technical capacity of extension services to provide needs-based training using agroecological practices.

Job Description

The Project Field Officer works at the district level, ensuring the (quality of the) service delivery to the community. He/She will execute the local delivery of the project, conform to the advice given by the nutrition and agriculture advisor(s)/ project manager and conform to the SNV procedures and guidelines, making sure timelines and project standards are met. He/she will also anticipate delivery challenges to ensure service and delivery continuity.

Key responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager in charge of the Nutrition Programme of SRIWMSP as well as the Provincial Coordinator, the project field officer will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide general office support following established targets and SNV’s policies and procedures.
• Work and exchange information with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
• Support communication and activities with district government partners
• Support implementation of the Nutrition Programme of the SRIWMSP project at district level in close collaboration with the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) and other district-based stakeholders.
• Provide training on soil health, seed savings, legume planting, fruit grafting and vegetative propagation of tubers
• Support implementation of participatory village action plans and multisectoral district level planning activities.
• Support the Implementation of Village Nutrition Clubs (VNC) in the project’s target villages.
• Supervise other activities under the Nutrition Programme of the SRIWMSP project that are implemented by SNV, such as Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) Planning.
• Support other SNV field staff in the district where applicable.
• Supervise other SNV-supported programme activities that exist in the district.

Qualifications

• The preferred consultant should have the following qualifications, experience and competencies:
• Bachelors degree in agriculture or related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in agriculture project implemention
• Goood analytical and IT skills
• Fluency in both oral and written communication in lao and English
• Competencies
• Communication
• The ability to communicate in clear language and to adjust one’s use of language to the audience’s level, making sure ideas and essence are understood by the audience.
• Flexibility
• The ability to change one’s behavioural style and/or views in order to achieve a set goal.
• Perseverance
• The ability to hold on to views and plans of action, despite adversity.
• Result orientation
• The ability to take direct action in order to attain or exceed objectives.
• Focus on quality
• Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Coaching Encouraging and guiding employees in order to make their performance more effective and to enhance their self-perception and problem-solving skills

Additional Information

Contract Type and Duration: 36 months

Contract Type: Open to national candidates

Duty Stations: Sopbao District, Houaphanh Province

Desired Start Date: 1 April 2024

Key Steps in the Selection Process 3

1. If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV (not more than three pages with three referees) and motivation letter (not more than 1 page) by clicking on the “I’m interested” button on, SmartRecruiter before 08 March 2024.
2. We will require you to provide us with the details of three people willing to act as referees. We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission. Please note that reference checks may be conducted before the selection decision.
3. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with the Selection Committee will occur.
4. After your interviews with the Selection Committee, we will advise you of the Committee’s decision as soon as possible.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

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