Project Officer – UNICEF (Belize City, Belize)

Overview

RET International, with funding from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is currently engaged in the implementation of a project entitled: Strengthened continuum of child protection services through support for the roll out of a case management and referral systems and expansion of services: Creating local child protection networks.

The proposed intervention aims to strengthen the local child protection networks in selected Communities through the identification of current organizations that provide family oriented and child-friendly services in Orange Walk and San Pedro, raising awareness of the child protection system among these organizations identified during the mapping exercise by educating/training them about the importance of child protection and reporting, and support services needed by children and families, and building the resilience of children in care by providing extra support services such as tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, and financial literacy, through the engagement of skilled individuals.

We are currently in need of a dedicated Project Officer to effectively coordinate and oversee the execution of project activities.

Duration of Contract

S/he will be engaged for a period of 1 year.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure the comprehensive execution, management, coordination, and successful realization of the project aimed at enhancing the continuum of child protection services. This includes facilitating the rollout of case management and referral systems, as well as the expansion of services to establish local child protection networks. Promptly inform the Country Director of any discrepancies, challenges, or obstacles encountered during the planning and execution of activities, particularly if they have the potential to impact RET’s objectives.

• Guarantee that all activities, achievement of goals and submission of reports and deliverables are reached with the highest quality and in a timely manner.

• Internal. Closely coordinate with the different work areas, namely Officers and Specialists, Technical, Finances, Administration, and Logistics, to ensure the proper and timely allocation of the necessary resources for an efficient and effective implementation.
• External. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships and linkages with the Government of Belize, Department of Human Services, Childcare Institutions, Statutory Bodies, Associations, NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, and any relevant organized group and individual advocates to strengthen inter-country networks for the success of the project.

Specific responsibilities

• Overall management, planning and implementation of the project’s outcomes, outputs and activities, according to the work plan.
• Organize and manage implementation of project activities, which entails collaborating with the Department of Human Services, nationwide NGOs and CBOs, childcare institutions, frontline workers, as well as professionals in teaching and social services.
• Undertake all necessary financial arrangements, processes, request for authorizations, payments and ensure financial accountability for national level activities.
• Ensure close coordination with other government and non-government stakeholders, to increase collaboration and synergies.
• Organize and facilitate regular partnership stakeholder meetings and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Represent the project in external meetings.
• Develop a tool for asset mapping and execute a mapping initiative to identify existing organizations, assess the services they offer, and evaluate their potential to expand service provision to children and families within the child protection system.
• Establish a comprehensive directory of children and family services, featuring these organizations, their service offerings, and contact information.
• Collaborate with the Department of Human Services to conduct training sessions addressing the significance of child protection and reporting, as well as the support services required by children and families.
• Facilitate collaborative sessions involving multiple agencies, in coordination with the Child Justice Taskforce, across each district.
• Utilize needs assessment tools to determine the service requirements of residents in childcare facilities.
• Coordinate and arrange the delivery of support services at the three childcare institutions, which includes recruiting tutors, volunteers, mentors, and procuring necessary materials and resources.
• Oversee and monitor the provision of services at childcare institutions.
• Monitor the project’s advancement, compile monthly consolidated project reports and situational updates, encompassing all activities conducted during the reporting period, and deliver these reports promptly.
• Ensure the alignment of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan with the Operational Work Plan.
• Maintain regular follow-up routines and provide monthly and quarterly reports covering all aspects of project management.
• Foster open communication regarding operational matters and identify strategic opportunities that may arise during project implementation.
• Offer substantial and technical expertise for both the implementation and assessment of the project, which includes gathering and organizing relevant background data and information, as well as overseeing monitoring and evaluation efforts.
• Sustain ongoing contact and cultivate productive working relationships with colleagues from other agencies and external partners delivering services to the target population.
• Collaborate with Officers, Specialists, and Staff to secure the collection of pertinent and suitable data essential for an effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system. This data will be instrumental in monitoring strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in existing projects and services, and for fulfilling donor commitments.
• Regularly update the Country Director on project progress.
• Alert the Country Director to any corrective actions required to prevent implementation delays, including the identification of operational issues and risks necessitating timely interventions.
• Contribute to monthly and quarterly reports for donors, furnishing critical information on the project’s advancement.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the Country Director.

Security

• Oversee the effective management of the compliance and control environment by the project team.
• Implement essential measures to enhance the safety of all staff members and execute emergency security evacuation plans as deemed necessary.
• Provide regular safety and security reports to your line manager and designated security focal points.
• Establish and maintain a risk register for management purposes, and routinely update your line manager on it. Proactively implement risk mitigation measures for potential high-risk areas, such as staff security and theft prevention.

Secondary responsibilities

• If requested by the Country Director, participate in coordination meetings with the authorities and/or partners.
• Complete any additional task, as requested by the Country Director.

• Comply fully with internal policies, ensuring that the activities and performances follow the guidelines included in the RET’S Code of Conduct, RET’s PSEASH and other institutional manuals and policies;
• Manage transparently institutional resources, fulfilling effectively and efficiently the tasks;
• Maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive, security and institutional issues.
• Other support or tasks as required by the Country Director.

Skills and Competencies

• Sensitivity and commitment to vulnerable populations and communities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with minimal supervision: demonstrated ability to plan and organize work to deliver results, consistently approaching work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude, demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills, and focus on impact and results and responding positively to critical feedback.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and solve complex situations in environments of cultural diversity
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities
• Results-oriented, with a track record of accomplishing objectives in a complex environment
• Flexibility to manage different tasks effectively and willingness to put in extra hours when required
• Ability to transform challenges into opportunities
• Solid Competence in information technology: environment Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet and e-mail

Applications

Applications are to be sent to info.belize@theret.org by Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, indicating in the subject of the email: Application to the position: “Project Officer” and shall contain:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Cover Letter.
• Three professional references’ contact details (name, job title, company/organization, email, and phone number).