Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Field Officer

💰 $45,000 - $65,000 Annually (Commensurate with Experience)

Non-ProfitNGOCommunity DevelopmentSocial WorkProject ManagementField Operations

🎯 Role Definition

As a Field Officer, you are the backbone of our program delivery. You will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of project activities directly within our target communities. Reporting to the Project Coordinator or Program Manager, you will work to build trust, facilitate engagement, and ensure that our interventions are effective, culturally sensitive, and aligned with our strategic goals. Your on-the-ground insights and diligent reporting are critical for program adaptation, accountability, and demonstrating our impact to stakeholders and donors. This is a hands-on role that requires a blend of strong interpersonal skills, practical project management abilities, and a deep commitment to community empowerment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Program Assistant / Project Assistant
  • Community Mobilizer / Community Health Worker
  • NGO Intern / Volunteer
  • Junior Case Worker

Advancement To:

  • Senior Field Officer / Field Coordinator
  • Project Coordinator / Assistant Project Manager
  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer
  • Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Community Engagement Specialist
  • Case Management Officer
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer
  • Grants and Reporting Officer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan, implement, and coordinate all field-level activities in strict accordance with the project's work plan, timeline, and budget.
  • Conduct comprehensive community-based needs assessments, vulnerability analyses, and baseline/endline surveys to inform project design and measure impact.
  • Build and maintain strong, positive, and trust-based relationships with community members, local leaders, government authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Facilitate community mobilization and sensitization campaigns to ensure active participation, ownership, and sustainability of project interventions.
  • Lead the identification, registration, and verification of project beneficiaries based on established and transparent selection criteria.
  • Organize and conduct training sessions, workshops, and focus group discussions for beneficiaries and community groups on various topics as per project objectives.
  • Systematically collect field data (both quantitative and qualitative) using mobile data collection tools (like KoboToolbox, ODK) and other prescribed methodologies.
  • Provide direct support, mentorship, and regular follow-up to project beneficiaries to ensure they are effectively utilizing the resources and knowledge gained.
  • Monitor project activities on a daily/weekly basis to track progress against targets, identify challenges, and ensure adherence to quality standards.
  • Prepare and submit timely, accurate, and high-quality weekly, monthly, and quarterly narrative and data reports to the Project Manager.
  • Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned from the field, complete with high-quality photos and quotes, for reporting and communications purposes.
  • Ensure all project activities are implemented in a manner that is conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive, and inclusive of marginalized groups.
  • Manage and account for all project resources, assets, and materials at the field level, ensuring their proper use and storage.
  • Act as the primary focal point for community feedback and complaints, managing a responsive and confidential feedback mechanism.
  • Conduct regular site visits to project locations to oversee implementation and engage directly with beneficiaries.
  • Assist in logistical planning for field activities, including transportation, procurement of supplies, and event coordination.
  • Ensure compliance with the organization's policies, procedures, and code of conduct, as well as donor requirements.
  • Identify and report any security risks or incidents in the field to the supervisor in a timely manner.
  • Participate in regular team meetings to review progress, discuss challenges, and contribute to collaborative problem-solving.
  • Support the distribution of cash, vouchers, or in-kind assistance, ensuring a transparent, accountable, and secure process.

Secondary Functions

  • Represent the organization in local-level coordination meetings, forums, and workshops with other NGOs, UN agencies, and local government bodies.
  • Contribute to the development of new project proposals by providing field-level insights, context analysis, and data.
  • Support visits from donors, senior management, and external evaluators by organizing logistics and showcasing project activities.
  • Assist the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team in carrying out specific studies, assessments, and data quality assurance checks.
  • Provide training and capacity building for community-based volunteers or local partner staff.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Project Implementation: Proven ability to execute project activities according to a work plan and budget.
  • Community Mobilization & Engagement: Expertise in techniques to foster community participation and ownership.
  • Data Collection & Management: Proficiency with mobile data collection tools (KoboToolbox, ODK, CommCare) and basic data analysis.
  • Report Writing: Strong ability to write clear, concise, and accurate narrative and data reports for internal and external audiences.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Foundational knowledge of M&E principles, including data collection, tracking indicators, and feedback mechanisms.
  • Training & Facilitation: Skills in designing and delivering effective training sessions and workshops for diverse community groups.
  • MS Office Suite: High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for reporting, data management, and presentations.
  • Contextual Analysis: Ability to understand and navigate local social, political, and cultural dynamics.
  • Basic Budget Management: Experience in handling and accounting for small-scale field activity budgets and cash advances.
  • Logistics Coordination: Ability to plan and coordinate field logistics, including transport and procurement of local materials.

Soft Skills

  • Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: High degree of awareness and respect for cultural differences and local customs.
  • Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying and resolving challenges encountered in the field.
  • Adaptability & Flexibility: Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, often unpredictable, and sometimes high-pressure environment.
  • Resilience & Stress Management: Capacity to remain composed and productive while facing challenging field conditions.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: A strong team player who can work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Integrity & Ethics: Unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles and professional ethics.
  • Negotiation & Diplomacy: Skill in navigating sensitive discussions with community leaders and stakeholders to achieve project goals.
  • Empathy & Compassion: A genuine desire to support and empower vulnerable populations.
  • Time Management & Organization: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • A Master’s degree is considered a strong asset.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Sciences (Sociology, Anthropology)
  • International Development / Development Studies
  • Community Development
  • Social Work
  • Public Health
  • Agriculture or a related technical field relevant to the project

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • A minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience in a similar role, working directly with communities for an NGO or other development/humanitarian organization.

Preferred:

  • Experience working on projects funded by major institutional donors (e.g., USAID, ECHO, UN agencies).
  • Direct experience in the specific sector of the project (e.g., Livelihoods, WASH, Health, Protection).
  • Fluency in the local language(s) of the project implementation area is often required.
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