Programme Officer

ECLT Foundation

General scope and purpose of role:

The Programme Officer supports ECLT Foundation in its mission to promote the elimination of child labour in tobacco-growing communities by ensuring efficient and successful delivery of ECLT programme portfolio assigned to him/her.

To achieve the agreed programme strategy, project objectives, s/he works closely with internal and external key stakeholders, including the Foundations' Board members, implementing partners, trade unions, regulators, farmers' associations, private sector and government representatives on regional and national level.

The Programme Officer will work as part of the team, driving the development and implementation of a range of programme activities, and will also participate in technical discussions and thematic meetings of relevance to the portfolio that s/he oversees. This role reports to and acts under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Manager.

Key responsibilities:  

Programme development and delivery

• Support the Programme Manager with the identification, conceptualization, design and development of strategic initiatives, programme initiatives, potential new projects, and service provision in consultation and close collaboration with private, public and civil society constituencies, including but not limited to small pilot interventions, area-based projects, and systems for the identification, remediation, monitoring and reporting of child labour.
• Lead and coordinate the development of project proposals by implementing partners.
• Advise and build capacity of government agencies and other stakeholders to advance business and human rights in agriculture.
• Develop and oversee initiatives and activities for the operationalization of Memoranda of Understanding between ECLT and government agencies to address the root causes of child labour in agriculture.
• Develop project workplans, including writing calls for proposals and requests for applications for provision of services.
• Draft and/or review concept notes and project proposals and provide technical advice to the Programme Manager.
• Identify potential partners and assess their ability to implement ECLT-funded projects and meet ECLT requirements, facilitating partner's selection.
• Act as a resource person preparing research, training materials, policy papers and other products as needed.

Project management

• Lead and monitor the implementation of ECLT's projects under his/her portfolio through the analysis of quarterly deliverables (including narrative and financial reports, and key performance indicators).
• Maintain and monitor project work plans, timelines, budgets, and expenditures sent from the field offices by implementing partners.
• Oversee projects implementation, including project plans, results monitoring frameworks and budgets and prepare progress reports, presentations, graphics to communicate projects outcomes.
• Conduct monitoring visits to projects to ensure timely delivery of expected activities, outputs and outcomes and adherence to the agreed standards; assess risks and challenges and propose project adjustments or changes.
• Ensure that relevant standards and policies in particular the Foundation's Code of Conduct, business and human rights principles and child safeguarding are embedded into projects and service delivery.

Monitoring and evaluation, learning, and impact reporting

• Lead continuous development of ECLT monitoring & evaluation systems to better capture and measure project achievements in order to inform future planning and communicate impact/results.
• Support the Foundation's knowledge and learning generation activities, including research, needs assessments, analysis and sharing of best practices.
• Ensure the development and implementation of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework across the initiatives' life cycle.
• Facilitate the adequate evaluation of ECLT projects (baseline studies, Mid-Term Assessments, Final Evaluations, and rapid assessments).
• Gather and analyse performance data on project indicators to feed into different communication materials for wide public and Board: board meetings, annual reports, website, factsheets.
• Support dissemination of research findings, success stories, effective approaches and best practices.
• Ensure project activities, targets, outputs and outcomes are captured and regularly updated in the Foundation's digital project management system.
• Train implementing partners for the adequate reporting of progress in project implementation, in accordance with the Foundation's internal policies and standards.

Strategy, policy, and stakeholder engagement

• Support the negotiation and collaboration on child labour issues, specifically as they relate to agriculture, with governments and stakeholders at all levels – national, regional, and local – with a view to influencing strategy and policy development and implementing quality programmes jointly.

Organizational management

• Monitor the performance of in-country consultants, ensuring adherence to ECLT internal policies and providing overall direction with planning, prioritization, and coordination of activities.

General

• Raise awareness and build capacity with key constituencies to enable systemic and sustainable solutions for the eradication of child labour in the tobacco supply chain and beyond.
• Contribute to development and update of the Foundation's programme policies and operating procedures.
• Organise and attend stakeholder meetings, discussion groups, trainings and lessons sharing events.
• Support the organisation of field events, such as partners' workshops, conferences or any relevant world event.
• Document and follow up on important actions and decisions from meetings.
• Prepare necessary presentation materials for meetings.
• Provide administrative support as needed.
• Liaise between the ECLT projects, the programmes team and the communications team to ensure regular and timely flow of project related content in alignment with the ECLT external communication strategy.

Any other duties as requested by the Executive Director and/or the Programme Manager.

Required qualifications/education:

University degree in international development, economics, law, social sciences, business and human rights, or other relevant discipline.

Required work experience:

• At least 5 years of proven experience as programme officer or in a similar position in the development sector, international organisation, multi-stakeholder initiative, or sustainability initiative.
• Experience in international cooperation, sustainability, humanitarian or human rights.
• Experience in programme management, monitoring, and evaluation, including travel to project sites in developing countries.
• Experience in evaluation and selection of projects' partners and/or service providers.

Required knowledge and competencies:

• Understanding of international human rights frameworks, and issues surrounding child labour.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sustainable development frameworks.
• Experience in engaging stakeholders at national and local levels.
• Proficiency with MS office, including, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral and written English, knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish, Bahasa, or French a real advantage.

Desired experience:

• Understanding business and human rights approaches.
• Managing CSR, sustainability projects.
• Knowledge of capacity building and technical assistance in the context of international cooperation.

Required soft skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and adherence to cultural sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Able to convince, influence, motivate and adapt to various audiences.
• Analytical mindset, creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Positive and proactive attitude.
• Strive for continuous improvement in work systems.
• Excellent collaboration skills and team spirit.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, meet deadlines and maintain composure under stress.

Particular Work Requirements:

• Valid Swiss work permit .
• Ability to travel regularly to project countries and to other relevant international meetings. Travel may take up to 15-20% of work.

How to apply:

Please send us the following documents to the email address below:

• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Motivation letter (1 page)
• Diplomas
• Work Certificates

ONLY the applications submitted through will be considered! 

Branche: Community/Sozialer Dienst/Non-Profit

Funktion: Anderes

Stellenprozent: 80-100%

Führungsperson: Nein

Anstellungsart: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)