Project Officer, Kédougou, Senegal – African Programming and Research Initiative to End Slavery (APRIES)

Project Officer, Kédougou, Senegal – African Programming and Research Initiative to End Slavery (APRIES) at the Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO)

Position Summary and General Objectives

This position, funded by the U.S. State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, will serve as an additional in-country liaison for a project on human trafficking in Kédougou, Senegal through June 30, 2024. The position reports to the CenHTRO/APRIES Assistant Director based at the University of Georgia. The overall goal of the CenHTRO/APRIES project is to measurably reduce the incidence of trafficking in selected hotspots. We do this by: 1) establishing baseline estimates of human trafficking in the selected hotspots; 2) contracting with community agencies to administer programs to combat trafficking, and 3) conducting monitoring and evaluation of these programs.

The Project Officer will support the Senegal Country Coordinator to monitor and report on the progress of sub-recipient projects in Senegal; communicate with CenHTRO/APRIES stakeholders in Senegal, including NGO, university, and government representatives; co-organize CenHTRO/APRIES activities in Kédougou; co-plan CenHTRO/APRIES trips to the country; and provide pertinent information to the APRIES team about local news, developments, and stakeholders. This is a full-time position not eligible for benefits. This is a contract position and the Project Officer is expected to have his or her own office space, equipment and transportation that enable them to perform their essential duties.

The CenHTRO Assistant Director will perform performance evaluations for this position annually.

Proposed Position Start Date

August or September 2022

Specific Objectives and Tasks

1. Monitor Sub-recipient Projects

• Build and maintain effective relationships with sub-recipient organizations responsible for implementing anti-trafficking programs in Kédougou.
• Demonstrate extensive and deep knowledge of APRIES’ and sub-recipients’ project goals, activities, and anticipated outcomes.
• Monitor sub-recipients’ progress towards project outcomes, including adherence to timeline.
• Support and monitor timely project reporting.
• Perform regular field visits to project sites in order to conduct informal observations and assessments of project activities.
• Support and monitor sub-recipients’ communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
• Identify activities out-of-sync with best practices or compliance according to subaward terms and conditions.
• Identify current and prospective project risks and consider how best to address them in collaboration with implementing partners and the CenHTRO/APRIES team.
• Submit monthly written project progress reports to CenHTRO/APRIES Program Manager (Senegal) at the University of Georgia.
• Participate in regular Zoom calls (at least once per week) with the Senegal project team at the University of Georgia.
• Report to CenHTRO/APRIES Assistant Director at the University of Georgia any adverse observations by CenHTRO/APRIES implementing partners, as needed.

2. Communicate with APRIES Stakeholders

• Build and maintain effective relationships with CenHTRO/APRIES stakeholders in Kédougou, including community, university, NGO, and government stakeholders.
• Keep stakeholders informed of CenHTRO/APRIES project developments in Kédougou, including both research and implementation.
• Report pertinent information from Kédougou stakeholder meetings to CenHTRO/APRIES team on a regular basis and in a timely manner.

3. Monitor Local Context

• Track local policy developments that may impact implementing partners’ ability to carry out their work and that are related to human trafficking.
• Track local news related or adjacent to human trafficking, such as policy changes, other government actions, legal outcomes, and law enforcement actions.
• Monitor local developments in the human trafficking landscape.
• Report pertinent local updates as described above to the APRIES project team on a weekly basis.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree, 3-5 years of project management experience with international NGOs, exceptional written and oral communication skills, and at least 5 years living and working in Senegal. Fluency in written and spoken English and French.

Preferred Qualifications

5-7 years of experience managing subrecipient projects in international aid settings. Extensive experience (10+ years) living and working in Senegal. Experience in anti human trafficking or anti child labor work an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Ability to communicate diplomatically, clearly, and effectively across cultural contexts.

Ability to build relationships with wide variety of individuals and groups, including community, NGO, university, and government stakeholders.

In-depth topical knowledge on human trafficking or demonstrated ability to learn quickly.

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

Exceptional organizational skills and high level of initiative.

Ability to work independently and with multiple partners and stakeholders.

Ability to work as a team member with all project partners and staff.

Ability to plan and implement required project responsibilities.

Experience monitoring progress to ensure adherence with project needs and deadlines.