Job Description

Project Officer, Large Animal Clinical SciencesThe Feminist Focused One Health Community Partnership (FFOHCP) Project involves team members from Canada, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana. The ultimate goal is to improve community health and equitable One Health empowerment for poor, marginalized rural smallholder farms, especially women and girls and female headed households, with high prevalence of zoonotic and human - animal - environment interface related diseases. The partnership includes students, faculty, women, men, children, domestic and international non-governmental agencies, and governments.Primary Purpose: To provide project administration, implementation, and coordination support; to plan and facilitate partnership activities; and to ensure that project implementation is successfully executed. In addition to project management, the role supports other initiatives as assigned by the Project Director.Nature of Work: This position reports to the Project Director. The Project Officer (PO) will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy and initiative and will be responsible for the administration and coordination of the Project\'s implementation plan.The PO will be responsible for working closely with and coordinating the Canadian team members, Canadian working groups, Canadian subawardee (Veterinarians Without Borders), and the pandemic preparedness exercises. S/he will also ensure effective financial and operational management of the project and work closely with the other project managers from Ghana, Uganda, and Ethiopia. The PO will also act as one of the main focal points and represent the project to key stakeholders in Canada. The PO is ultimately responsible for compliance and the oversight of project activities which will meet the stated objectives of the project.The work is diverse, requiring knowledge of development project activities, project management and quality improvement. This position will play a key role in the successful coordination and implementation of project activities in collaboration with the Project Director and Country Project Managers. To be successful, the individual must exercise sound judgment, be comfortable in a team environment, and have well-developed communication and project management skills. The PO must have the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders (Global Affairs Canada, Project partners, Project team members, faculty members, and volunteers), and effectively address cultural barriers. Maturity, experience, problem solving, and communication skills will be keys to success. In carrying out this work, confidentiality and close collaboration and alignment with key administrative areas will be critical. This position will work in close collaboration with other staff within the WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, development community, and Partners. The successful candidate will have the ability to manage the complex nature of a gender focused One Health development project. The PO will work with academic faculty, students, Partners, and various other stakeholders in arriving at solutions for One Health Challenges.Accountabilities:Project implementation

• Ensure that project implementation is on track in adherence to the project implementation plan, project frameworks, and in line with grant agreement and GAC; University of Saskatchewan technical and operational requirements;

• Ensure adequate planning and implementation documents are established, maintained, and archived;
• Identify technical and operational project supply needs and coordinate with logistics teams to put in place a sensible phased procurement plan;
• Participate in timely preparation of quality project and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal requirements and any relevant external donor requirements;

• Ensure that regular project financial reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual) are compiled, prepared, and submitted to GAC, in collaboration with USask Finance for the duration of the project;

• Ensure that delays and constraints on planned project activities are documented and solutions identified;
• Ensure project activities are adequately resourced and with timely expenditure of approved budgets, ensuring appropriate spend and proper and effective use of project resources;
• Communicate with the Project Director on the overall progress of implementation, as well as all the key risks and mitigation measures;
• Timely flag and discuss key challenges, incidents, and divergence from the donor-approved plans;

• Effectively communicate project scope and expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion;
• Manage and maintain \xe2\x80\x9cbuy-in\xe2\x80\x9d from project stakeholders;
• Communicate with stakeholders to understand current realities, design future state, build commitment and ensure stakeholder engagement plan incorporates important perspectives;
• In coordination with the Project Director, Partners, and the other project managers, create plans for maintaining the improvements made as a result of the activities;
• Maintain accurate records, correspondence, tracking of decisions, and measuring and reporting of outcomes;
• Collaborate and work effectively with the Project Director, faculty, students, and other Partners.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Monitor project implementation and provide support identifying issues that need timely action and support at different levels;
• Support the work of the Monitoring and Evaluation team in tool development and capturing of ideas to ensure that the project is monitored against measurable and appropriate indicators;
• Ensure regular monitoring is carried out appropriately, and contributes to situation/response analysis, and any corresponding revision of project plans;
• Support project assessments, evaluations and other reviews required in the project;
• Ensure that learning and good practice is gathered, documented, and shared with the wider project;

• Support the production of the annual project newsletter by collecting and compiling information throughout each project year;
• Disseminate project updates as per project communication plan;

Project coordination

• Coordination and facilitation of activities related to project management team, project volunteers and faculty working groups;
• Coordinate selection of and logistical matters for volunteers
• Maintaining regular contact with country managers and stakeholder groups;
• Organize, attend, participate in, or facilitate stakeholder meetings in collaboration with Country Managers, as well as document and follow-up on important action items and decisions from meetings;

• Represent FFOHCP and maintain good working relationships with project stakeholders, visiting donor and third-party monitoring teams, and other key contacts. Keep abreast of NGO, government, and donor initiatives relevant to FFOHCP work;
• In coordination with the Project Director, represent Canada and the project in GAC donor meetings and with representatives from GAC as required;
• Encourage teamwork, openness, and honesty among staff and between FFOHCP and its partners.

Other

• Undertake any other related tasks as assigned by the Project Director;
• Comply with GAC / University of Saskatchewan policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

Education: Bachelor\'s degree in relevant subject such as Development studies, Gender, Health (e.g., health sciences, public health), or equivalent combination of education and work experience.Experience: Three to five years\' experience related to project coordination/management.Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written), with a strong understanding of diversity and other cultures, and a strong ability to build and maintain harmonious partnerships with project stakeholders;
• Experience supporting multi-partner projects and projects with multiple components;
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise;
• Attention to detail and ability to set priorities;

• Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple tasks with tight timelines and competing demands;

• Strong ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Excellent problem-solving skills and initiative;
• Strong analytical and organizational skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity;
• Ability and willingness to travel to project focus countries as required;

• Ability to use a full range of software packages, including the Microsoft Office suite advanced word processing, spreadsheets, electronic calendars, and e-mail;

• Good work history (performance and attendance).

Assets

• An understanding of gender equality principles, practice and measurement is a strong asset;

• Experience related to international development, preferably Global Affairs Canada funded projects;
• Project management training or experience considered a major asset;
• Knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan\'s financial and operational systems an asset.

Department: Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Status: Term 1 year with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $52,050.00 - 81,328.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 1
Posted Date: 6/24/2024
Closing Date: 7/21/2024 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan