FREETOWN CITY COUNCIL

SENIOR PROJECT OFFICER JOB ADVERT

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR 

1. Background

In March 2022, the World Bank approved the Social Safety Net and Youth Employment Project (PSSNYE). The PSSNYE is an IPF of US$40.0 million equivalent, with an expected project implementation period extending over five years (closing June 30, 2027). It will provide much needed technical and financial support to the GoSL to advance the agenda of social protection and jobs.  

The Project Development Objective (PDO) of the PPSNYE is: “to improve access to social safety nets and income generating opportunities for targeted beneficiaries”. 

The project consists of activities continuing from the Social Safety Net Project (SSN) as well as new ones such as the provision of Economic Inclusion Support, entrepreneurship support package and activities implemented in new settings such as public works in urban areas.  

The project tackles key constraints faced by different segments of the population.  The project is composed of five components. The different components of the project were designed to collectively benefit the different target groups and where they fall within the socioeconomic spectrum in the country. The public works component targets eligible youth aged 18–35 from extreme-poor, poor, and climate-vulnerable households in urban and rural areas to provide income and employment support through public works activities aimed at improving climate resilience. The public works sub-component provides youth in urban areas with short-term employment opportunities under the Green Public Works (GPWs) to improve environmental and sanitary aspects of urban areas. The Sub-component will target inactive and unskilled youth, women, and persons with disabilities from poor and vulnerable households for participation in the activities.

The World Bank through the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) and the Freetown City Council (FCC) has funded the implementation of a pilot of the Green Public Works (GPWs) and Digital Public Works (DPW) in Western Area Urban through the Freetown City Council; it is expected that learnings will subsequently be taken to other urban cities in the country. The GPW and DPW in the Western Area Urban (WAU) are expected to reach 6,000 and 2,000 urban youth ages 18–35 respectively with productive public work opportunities and will build on lessons learned from previous community-driven adaptation programs to support a robust community-stewardship adaption program of activities in vulnerable communities in the WAU. The GPW will provide the youth with short-term employment in planting, growing trees, garbage collection and disposal to address climate adaptation and mitigation; building resilience against climate-induced hazards and vulnerabilities in communities

The Freetown City Council (FCC), the implementing agency, and the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), are seeking the services of a Senior Project Officer (SPO) to lead, co-ordinate and oversee the implementation of the GPW sub-component.

2. Purpose of the Assignment/Objectives of the Position

The SPO will lead the overall implementation and coordination of the Green Public Works (GPWs) and Digital Public Works (DPW) sub-component. Under the administrative supervision of the Mayor and the Chief Administrator of FCC, the SPO will implement the Pilot of the GPW. S/He will foster effective partnership, representation and outreach other stakeholders including Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs), and community stakeholders to successfully implement the GPW sub-component to advance the Climate Change resilience and Environmental Management in the Western Urban Area. The officer will be part of the project team and should also be involved in other project activities not limited to GPW and DPW. For example, any issues that require project wide attention

3. Scope of Work

The task will include implementation, supervision, monitoring and coordination of the Green Public Works (GPWs) and Digital Public Works (DPW) sub – component activities in Western Area Urban. The candidate will prepare annual work plan and budget of the GPW. H/she will supervise all contracted activities, facilitate collaboration with other stakeholders including MDAs, local government offices, provide support to mobilize and build capacity of targeted communities in climate change resilience. The candidate will also plan and facilitate field visits, assessments, prepare and submit periodic regular report documenting successes and achievements of the GPW.

4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Senior Project Officer

The duties of the will include:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Green Public Works (GPWs) and Digital Public Works (DPW) in cooperation with the project team, including drafting TORs, identifying consultants/service providers, arranging their recruitment, reviewing quality of deliverables;
• Collecting data and liaising with Project M&E team to report on indicators in the PSSNYE Results Framework relevant for GPW and DPW sub-components
• Cooperate with the rest of the PSSNYE team to deliver the overall PDO. 
• Assist in coordinating and supervising the work of the relevant team members, both at the regional level and at community level.
• Assist in managing effective planning, administration, coordination with FCC, NaCSA and other partners, as well as donor reporting. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the PSSNYE’s Annual Work Plan and Budget, including its policies, tools and strategies and mobilize relevant resources to implement the GPW, develop concept notes and project documents.
• Monitor progress of project activities by reviewing, verifying and analyzing work-plans, progress reports, consistency and completeness.
• Write reports and document lessons learnt, best practices of the GPW to be shared with project partners, and other stakeholders. 
• Provide support on the knowledge management related aspects of the project, including web-based communication on objectives, activities and achievements.
• Serve as focal for information, communication and education of the GPW, through periodic newsletters, traditional and social media.
• Assist to coordinate and co-organize events with partners to provide high visibility to the project and prepare policy materials, briefing notes and speeches as needed.
• Draft Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to be signed with collaborating partners and community stakeholders for implementation of the GPW.
• Support the FCC to organize career workshops, technical meetings and seminars with a focus on the incorporation of indigenous knowledge in project activities.
• Carry out any other relevant periodic duties that may be assigned from time to time.

5. Qualifications and Experience

       The Senior Project Officer will have the following qualifications and experience:

• A Master’s Degree in relevant discipline including Economics, Business Development, Development Studies, Public Policy, with demonstrated expertise in programs relating to Youth Employment and Empowerment;
• Professional qualification in project/programme management/monitoring will be an advantage;
• Demonstrated experience in report writing for donor funded programs; with at least two years dealing with the World Bank;
• Not less than five years’ experience, in project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Proven exposure to the Bank’s operations and mission with a good understanding of the Bank’s overall strategy;
• Proven track record in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams;
• Excellent Computer Skills.

6. Duration 

The Senior Project Officer shall be engaged with the project for a period of one year with the possibility of extension based on performance and continue need. 

7. Tentative Date of Commencement: May, 2024

8. Location: 

The assignment shall be carried out at the Freetown City Council Office, 17 Wallace Johnson Street Freetown, Sierra Leone. 

How to apply:

Send your CV and a covering letter in English to the Deputy Chief Administrator, Freetown City Council or on email: koromapeter02@gmail.com 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The deadline for applications is on Monday, the 25^th April 2024.