Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) Technical Specialist

The UPG Technical Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Manager for Scaling Graduation in the Peri-Urban Areas. S/he will oversee the overall project field operations, ensuring quality programme delivery on the ground, as well supporting the Project Manager in designing and/or fine-tuning the project.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Agribusiness/agriculture/Animal production/Development studies/ Business administration/ Social sciences or related field.
  

Experience Required

• 10 years and above experience in programme design, operations, especially in the Graduation and Livelihood development sector, preferably in an NGO setting.
  

Skills and Competencies

• In depth knowledge on poverty dynamics, geographical context, community, culture etc.
  
• In-depth knowledge of relevant programmes
  
• Project Management skills
  
• Advanced People Management and Leadership skills
  
• Financial Management
  

• Ensure the effective enrollment of project participants through accurate targeting, appropriate livelihood selection, comprehensive training, asset transfer, and other key interventions.
  
• Ensure the quality execution of different project components, such as community mobilisation, hands-on coaching, VSLA, etc., to achieve the anticipated sustainable graduation of the project participants from extreme poverty.
  
• Capture and document learnings from the field, identify opportunities for introducing innovation into the project, and adapt project strategies to the local context to enhance overall relevance and effectiveness.
  
• Identify project needs, challenges, and risks through regular follow-ups and field visits.
  
• Provide timely guidance and solutions to the team to resolve issues, thus improving programme performance and efficiency.
  
• Serve as a critical link between the Project Manager and field teams to strengthen coordination, communication, and alignment across all levels.
  
• Ensure accurate documentation, timely development and tracking of MIS and financial reports, and take informed actions based on analysis in collaboration with the Monitoring & Learning, Grants, Finance, and Communication teams.
  
• Foster strong coordination and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to promote synergy and ensure optimal use of resources.
  
• Ensure operational, technical and leadership skills are strengthened among the staff through targeted training, hands-on coaching, and ongoing mentoring.
  
• Support resource mobilization and fundraising efforts by contributing to proposal development, and documenting impact stories and lessons learned to inform donor engagement and partnership development.
  

Safeguarding Roles

• Ensure the safety of team members from harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation to achieve the program’s goals on safeguarding implementation. Act as a key source of support, guidance, and expertise on safeguarding to establish a safe working environment.
  
• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.
  
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, and encourage others to do so.