Role profile
Basic information
Job title
Senior Programme Officer, Resilient Livelihoods
Department
International
Location
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Reports to (Job Title)
Senior Programme Manager, Sahel
Matrix manager if applicable (Job Title)
Regional Emergency Manager
Direct reports (Number or Not applicable)
1
Overall people management responsibility
3
(Number or Not applicable)
Matrix management responsibility (Number or Not
applicable)
Budgetary responsibility (Amount or Not applicable)
Child protection clearance required
yes;
Not required
(If applicable, Standard/Enhanced)
Expected travel per annum
Up to 75 days
On call/unsocial hours
No
Role definition
Role purpose
Why does the role exist? What is its purpose? (around 25 words)
The Senior programme officer, resilient livelihoods will work with partners and other actors from across
the Sahel region to develop innovative approaches to build the resilience of communities in their
context. This post will build on current resilient livelihoods work across the region; ensuring Christian
Aid experience and learning inform the on-going development of programmes. He/she will also
provide when necessary surge capacity for the region in the context of responding to emergencies as
part of Christian’s Aid’s resilient livelihoods strategy. He/she will ensure that gender and advocacy are
fully integrated in CA’s resilient livelihoods works in the sub region. The post holder also contributes to
the promoting exchange and networking between CA’s partners in the Sahel. He/she should engage
and promote communication and fundraising, in particular from institutional donors.
Role context
(What does the department do? Is the role part of a team? How big is the team and where does the job fit in? (An organogram is
helpful here)
This role is in the International programme role family. The post holder will directly manage and
support partner and externally represent Christian Aid when and where appropriate. In addition,
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he/she will provide technical guidance and support the partners in the successful delivery of
projects/programme, ensuring that programme monitoring, evaluation and programme are carried out
in accordance with Christian Aid’s and donor requirements. Working closely with other colleagues of
the Sahel team, in particular programme officers and finance officers, the post holder will reinforce
integration between the different components of the Sahel programme, contributing to improving its
impact on the lives of people living in poverty. Given the interest of donors in supporting resilient
livelihoods initiatives in the Sahel, the post holder will work closely with PFD and the Trust team to
mobilise additional resources for the development of Sahel programme.
Key outcomes
 Significant decisions on programme work in the Sahel region informed by Christian Aid’s strategic
focus areas
 Strong programme management support to the Sahel resilience programme provided. Projects
are delivered on time and to the budget.
 Innovative approach on resilience building undertaken and best practice in resilience programming
implemented.
 Significant grant proposals based on strong planning and evaluation procedures using Christian
Aid’s internal systems.
 Partners and relevant country team/s have the necessary support to implement the resilience
programme to a high standard.
 Capacity development of CA staff, partners and allies in innovative resilience programming.
 Compliance with financial policies and procedures, including reporting requirements
 Programme reports comply with Christian Aid and donor policies and procedures.
 Positive relationships developed with partners, allies and teams working on resilience through
 effective communication
 Contributions with other teams members in the development and implementation of partner
capacity development and training.
Role requirements
Relationships
(Key relationships, frequency of contact, purpose of contact (liaison/influencing/negotiating etc.)
External
Working closely with partners managing large or complex partnerships or
projects. Contact with institutional donors, supporters and knowledge
institutes.
Internal
The post is line managed by the Senior Programme Manager Sahel. May
be managing a high performing project team with strong links between
partner work and advocacy, communications and fundraising roles in the
UK or elsewhere.
Decision making
(Accountability, level of decision making and impact of them, authority to make decisions, how often, responsibility for
resources)
Required to make significant decisions on programme work in the Sahel region informed by Christian
Aid strategic focus • Decisions are made in order to manage a team, from recruitment to managing an
operational workgroup to ensure successful programme delivery • Decisions based on technical
expertise, especially about resilient livelihoods.
Analytical skills
(Responsible for one discrete area or several strands within a function, how much creativity, analysis and judgement or
routine/semi-routine)


Problems or issues need detailed information gathering, investigation and analysis including
assessment of benefits and risks of different courses of action.
Initiative and judgment need to be applied regularly in the course of day-to-day work. Expected to
make direct contribution to improved programme performance, whether through own area of work
or participation in cross-disciplinary projects.
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Developing self and others
(The extent to which the job holder is responsible for their own work, for influencing and/or directing the work of others, acting in
an advisory/specialist capacity)
May have formal responsibility for others, including direct responsibility for performance management
and developing plans to improve the performance of staff, volunteers or others; may have project
management responsibility for directing work of others and taking responsibility for ensuring that work
quality and professional standards are maintained.
Person specification
Applied skills/knowledge and expertise
(Extent/type of knowledge, skills and experience required, extent to which a source of expertise to others. Maybe a professional
qualification but may be skills and knowledge gained through experience)
Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent
Knowledge of development issues and current affairs in the Sahel region
Desirable
Knowledge of churches and indigenous organisations
IT competency required
Intermediate
Competency profile
LEVEL 2: You are expected to be able to:
Build partnerships
 Take on different work when necessary to achieve a team or organisational goal.
 Actively consult with others to ensure you understand their needs or goals.
 Listen to and take on board fresh perspectives and views even if you initially disagree with them.
 Maintain on-going relationships with individuals and contacts through networks, based on mutual
rapport and respect.
Steward resources
 Implement ways to reduce the inefficient use of resources or pass the ideas on to someone who
can make them happen.
 Estimate the resources needed to achieve your own work plans or objectives and to deliver them
in the most efficient and cost effective way.
 Set and communicate realistic timelines for achieving tasks, working out how best to adapt as
priorities change or unforeseen circumstances arise.
Deliver results
 Prioritise, plan and monitor own work to meet own and team deliverables to agreed performance or
quality standards.
 Acknowledge others’ priorities whilst being prepared to say “no” if there are genuine reasons why their
needs cannot be met.
 Use logical processes and relevant tools and techniques to report on information or analyze options.
 Make timely and considered recommendations or decisions based on analysis of available data,
information and evidence.
DATE CREATED (dd/MM/yyyy)
01/07/2014
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Further details of specific tasks and duties will be agreed with the line manager as part of the
performance agreement. Any reasonable duty may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of
the job and its level of responsibility.
This role profile is not prescriptive; it merely outlines the key behaviours the role-holder requires to be
successful in the role; the key behaviours and responsibilities are subject to change. Any changes will
be made in consultation with the role-holder.
You will be expected to abide by the Code of Conduct, policies and procedures within Christian Aid
which may be updated from time to time.
You must be in sympathy with the aims, beliefs and values of Christian Aid as it seeks to work on
relief, development and advocacy for poverty eradication.
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