Junior Programme Officer - Schools, WASH and Solar (Madagascar based)

Based in the coastal town of Fort Dauphin in the southeast of Madagascar, this post will provide support to our Schools, WASH and Solar projects. The successful candidate will work within a combined national and international team to assist in the development of projects, from initial planning stages to final evaluations. Primary responsibilities include the writing of donor reports and proposals, providing additional support to the project team surrounding project management and monitoring and evaluation. The role is predominantly office-based with some bush travel. The diversity of activities undertaken will provide a wide-ranging experience for an early career development professional with 1-2 years of experience who can effectively and efficiently deal with a comprehensive range of tasks related to the complex world of overseas development. It is essential that the post holder is able to work in English to a high standard and it would be desirable to have at least basic French. Candidates who do not meet these criteria will not be considered.

Location: Fort Dauphin, Anosy Region, Madagascar

Timeframe: 1 year

Terms and conditions: Voluntary with local monthly stipend towards accommodation and contribution to insurance of £650

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Write project reports, to a high standard of English, that clearly demonstrate the successes and challenges of the WASH and Education infrastructure projects, learning from the project and providing clear budgetary information
• Compile funding proposals based on past evaluation, team discussion, and international best practice in an engaging and professional manner
• Conduct internet searches and searches through SEED’s funder database for potential donors to fund projects
• Take a leading role in gathering statistics and ensure that all existing statistics relating to the projects are accurate
• Work alongside the Communications and Media Officer writing regular social media updates, blog posts, and website copy
• Support the development of projects that fulfill local needs and sit within the aims of SEED, taking into account research findings, contextual constraints, government objectives, and SEED’s previous experience
• Conduct research into international best practice with regard to Solar, Digital Learning, WASH and Education infrastructure programmes and take the lead in discussing these with the team
• Monitor and update project trackers according to project activities, ensuring the project is on track to meet project indicators and objectives
• Take an active role in project management meetings, leading these where appropriate
• Take an active part in international team meetings and supporting other members of the team
• Work with national staff in increasing their skills and capacity, providing mentoring or training where appropriate
• Assist in data collection and basic analysis where required, assisting the MEL Specialist in developing monitoring and evaluation tools, and completing MEL reports for projects
• Work alongside the Programme Manager and Head of Finance in developing and managing the budgets relating to projects
• Maintain a database of projects and funders alongside the UK team in London
• Form part of the team representing projects or SEED when required
• Liaise with the UK team in London ensuring clear communication at all times
• Ensure all of SEED’s policies and procedures are evident throughout the work of the department, including those for safeguarding, whistleblowing, and anti-corruption, and undertake continual training to ensure these are promoted at all times
• Complete other ad-hoc tasks as required by the Solar, WASH and Schools Project Coordinators, Programmes Manager, Head of Department, and Director of Programmes and Operations to further the aims and work of the organisation.

Person Specification

• Hold an undergraduate in or relating to WASH, international development, or have transferable skills or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 1-3 years’ professional experience in securing funding, project management, donor compliance, and donor reporting
• Demonstrate excellent writing skills, previous experience in grant-writing is an asset
• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in Environment and Sustainable Livelihoods, Community Health, WASH and Education Infrastructure, and their interface with international development; previous experience in WASH, Solar education, or community-based work would be an asset
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s ethos and approach, and be a good ambassador for SEED at all times
• Have passion, curiosity, and motivation for the job and the ability to enthuse others
• Have the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds, and across multiple language barriers
• Have the ability and desire to build capacity and share skills across cultures, and work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds, across multiple language barriers
• Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations
• Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect
• Demonstrate the ability, social skills, and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other members of the team in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED, in order to protect both their safety and the reputation of the NGO
• Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEED’s policies and procedures, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately
• Fluent English is required.
• Basic working knowledge of French is desirable though not essential.
• Be punctual and be able to work in an organised manner to tight deadlines, and to a high standard
• Have a flexible and patient attitude
• Have excellent problem-solving skills
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team

Fluent English is required

Basic working knowledge of French is desirable though not essential