Oxfam in Tunisia

“Senior Project Officer”

Within the Gender Justice Programs Portfolio

Oxfam’s vision is a just world without poverty: a world in which people can influence decisions that affect their lives, enjoy their rights, and assume their responsibilities as full citizens of a world in which all human beings are valued and treated equally.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Team Purpose

Oxfam in Tunisia Programs and Partnerships portfolio have three thematic focuses: Gender Justice, Governance and Civic Space and Just Economies. Under the leadership of the “Head of Programs and Partnerships”, the Program team is responsible for the quality conception & design, the timely implementation and the efficient and effective outcome and impact of the Oxfam projects. The team is also charged with ensuring sound and equal partnerships with all parties involved in our work, under the different types of relations and partnerships within the relevant work portfolio. 

The “Senior Project Officer” position is an integral part of the Oxfam in Tunisia structure. This SPO’ Job description is designed specifically to Project Officers within the “Gender Justice” Thematic Portfolio. The Senior Project Officer can be assigned and/or reassigned to different any under implementation project, based on documented track records of excellent performance and solid competencies, and following decisions made through compliant internal processes by the directly related stakeholders.

Job Purpose

The Senior Project Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Program Manager and in close relation with other Program team members and partners. This position is expected to provide support to the team to plan and implement the project activities successfully. Additionally, the SPO is expected to coordinate the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework of the AECID project.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities 

Program oversight and implementation (50%) 

• Actively network with relevant stakeholders and peer organizations, working groups to develop and implement joint initiatives and advocacy events at local or/and national level(s).
• With the PC support, ensure the implementation of Oxfam’ and donor’s (where relevant) operational policies, procedures and guidelines in all aspects of programs’ work.
• Responsible, with the PC, for the oversight and development of partnerships to maximize the strengths the different partners bring to the partnership within the Project.
• Responsible for the implementation and progress of the Tunisia related program activities, including partner organizations’ activities
• With the PC, manage the program risks by constantly monitoring risks, and updating the risk mitigation plan.
• Work closely with the program team to prepare and revise the Oxfam and partners’ annual implementation plans, budgets, contracts, and reporting.
• Mentor and monitor the progress and quality implementation of the program, proactively identifying problems, opportunities ad exceptions, and propose solutions to be discussed and agreed with the Program Coordinator and other relevant colleagues.
• Maintain direct regular contact and conduct field visits to partners and activities to provide support to the partners and ensure quality implementation and achievement of outcomes and targets.
• Monitor program spending, review financial reports prepared by partners, together with the ‘Finance Officer’ and other colleagues.
• Share, regularly, program updates and progress with the PC (including in writing if requested).
• Coordinate the production of the narrative and financial reports, and contribute to their development and conclusion, in accordance with the donor requirements. Ensure internal and external reporting is done as per the agreed timeline and requirements.
• Facilitate and support all internal and external audits together with the Finance Officer and other relevant colleagues.
• In coordination with the Program Coordinator, keep the Oxfam country and relevant Affiliate’ teams and relevant stakeholders informed about the project progress and ensure the knowledge exchange and synergies with other Oxfam in country projects or at the regional level.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (50%

MEAL systems design, implementation, reporting 

• Develop and establish, in consultation and collaboration with partners and allies, project MEAL systems. 

• Ensure project’s MEAL framework are implemented as planned, and adapted as needed following lessons learned or changes in the intervention logic and/or context. 

• Ensure scientific and statistically viable usage of a range of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools and methodologies to measure the project impact.

• Assess the needs and capacity of partners and staff to deliver on MEAL objectives, and build their capacity to deliver.

• Mentor and monitor the progress and quality of the project.
• Support the preparation and dissemination of high-quality reports/ program documentation/ learning among key stakeholders in projects and programs. 

• Contribute to donors’ reporting obligations. Participate in the draft and submission of project annual plans and reports.

• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders develop empowering methods of measurement – such as participatory action research, most significant change stories, constituency feedback committees, etc. 

• Participate to the Steering committee and to the Project management unit for the MEAL component (present results, give recommendations, suggest solutions).

Data collection and analysis 

• Compile and analyze data – or manage partners who do this – from each of the project pillar/areas

• Ensure proper monitoring of the partners activities in the area of qualitative and quantitative data collection, database design, and other relevant activities. 

• Support project officers in the analysis of data and effective integration of monitoring activities into project activity plans ensuring that all program staffs contribute to and assist in implementing the M&E activities. 

• Conduct or organize baseline, progress assessments and end line evaluation based on project objectives for the use of current and future project activities. 

Learning, knowledge management and sharing:

• Assist the program staff and partners in extracting critical lessons learned as well as identifying and highlighting achievements of stated project objectives and outcomes.

• Elaborate and share semesterly reports.

• Take part and coordinate the Capitalization process together with the experts and project team.

• Organize annual learning events with consolidate data and results with the consortium.

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant job responsibilities and work experience; preferably with similar type of organization (national and/or international NGOs)
• Solid understanding of and experience in working in Tunisia, and other countries in the region.
• University degree in related fields (example: social sciences, political sciences, development, women’s studies), or an equivalent sufficient experience and alternative type of education.
• Good understanding of Tunisia and the NA region context; social economic and political. 
• Sufficient knowledge of the civil society in Tunisia and North Africa and familiarity with innovative approaches to address related challenges.
• Strong skills of professional writing, facilitation, communication, data management and analysis, knowledge management, research and development, and M&E.
• Knowledge and understanding of the rights-based approach to development. Excellent command of written and spoken French and Arabic, English is an Asset. 
• Experience in building relations with research institutions, hiring consultants, and developing monitoring tools.
• Experience of working in the field of resources development, reporting to donors and different constituencies. 
• Commitment to Oxfam’s values and ways of working and to Oxfam’s objectives to promote gender equity and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of its actions. 

Desirable –

Previous experience with Oxfam.

Key Attributes:

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities. 
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work. 
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible. 

Organizational Values:

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.