Economic Recovery Officer

Purpose of the Role

The Economic Recovery Officer will lead the implementation of economic recovery and livelihood interventions in Magwi, focusing on communities and households benefiting from Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) cleared and released land. The role will oversee the delivery of key livelihood support activities including Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Cash for Work (CfW), Business Grants, and Agricultural Inputs Support, with the objective of restoring and strengthening household livelihoods, improving food security, and promoting sustainable economic recovery.

Working closely with Humanitarian Mine Action teams, community leaders, local authorities, and technical partners, the Officer will ensure that beneficiaries’ transition from emergency support toward self-reliance through inclusive, market-based, and climate-resilient livelihood approaches.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Implementation and Coordination

• Conduct and coordinate rapid field assessments, including livelihood, market, and agricultural value chain assessments in ERW-cleared and released areas.
• Lead beneficiary identification and selection for MPCA, CfW, business grants, and agricultural input support using agreed criteria, vulnerability mapping, and community consultations.
• Facilitate the implementation of cash-based interventions (CBIs), including MPCA and CfW, ensuring transparency, inclusion, and compliance with cash transfer guidelines.
• Support the design and delivery of Business Grant assistance by assessing business feasibility, mentoring beneficiaries, and monitoring enterprise performance.
• Strengthen the capacity of local partner staff on improved agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, pest management, and post-harvest handling techniques.
• Coordinate and supervise agricultural input distributions (seeds, tools, fertilizers), ensuring accountability, fairness, and effective utilization by targeted farmers.
• Facilitate the establishment and strengthening of community structures such as VSLAs, producer groups, cooperatives, and marketing associations to promote financial inclusion and collective action.
• Coordinate with mine action teams, agricultural extension officers, and local authorities to ensure safe and productive use of released land.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning

• Monitor and document project activities, outputs, and beneficiary feedback using digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo).
• Contribute to baseline, midline, and endline assessments through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
• Compile and share lessons learned, best practices, and success stories to support programme learning and improvement.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting on implementation progress, cash transfers, and agricultural support activities to the Area Manager and relevant technical units.
• Maintain accurate documentation and data verification systems in compliance with accountability and data protection standards.

Coordination and Representation

• Engage with relevant coordination platforms and working groups, including the Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster and Cash Working Group, to ensure alignment with inter-agency strategies and standards.
• Maintain strong community engagement and coordination with local authorities, elders, community committees, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support gender, protection, and inclusion mainstreaming to ensure equitable participation and benefit for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure compliance with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), protection principles, and organizational policies throughout all phases of implementation.
• Promote accountability to affected populations by ensuring effective integration of feedback and complaints mechanisms into programme delivery.
• Support logistical planning and coordination to ensure timely delivery of cash, agricultural inputs, and training materials.

Experience and Technical Competencies

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience implementing livelihood, cash-based, or agricultural recovery programmes in humanitarian or early recovery contexts.
• Proven experience in cash-based interventions, including MPCA, Cash for Work, and/or business grants.
• Demonstrated experience conducting market and livelihood assessments and using digital data collection tools such as Kobo or ODK.
• Strong understanding of agricultural production practices and experience supporting farmer-based interventions.
• Proven skills in community mobilization, facilitation, and capacity building.
• Strong ability to engage effectively with community structures and local stakeholders.
• Knowledge of ERW or mine action operational contexts and their implications for livelihood recovery is an added advantage.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and organizational skills.
• Diploma in Agriculture, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Business Studies, or Natural Sciences (a university degree is an added advantage).
• Fluency in at least one local language is required.