Programme Technical Lead-Climate Resilience & Economic Empowerment

Trócaire is an International NGO. We work with local partners in the world’s most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We work towards five goals:

• Promote Access to Justice;

• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;

• Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence;

• Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and

• Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

In Sierra Leone since 1995, Trócaire works to achieve climate and environmental justice; ensure women and girls’ protection, voice & influence; and save lives and protect human dignity. Trócaire supports work on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, women’s political participation and leadership, sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment, natural resource management and environmental conservation, and humanitarian preparedness and response.

Trócaire works exclusively with local partners and actively supports localised development and humanitarian aid. Supporting local civil society organisations to strengthen their organisational, institutional, financial, technical, and managerial capacities is core to Trócaire’s partnership approach in Sierra Leone.

Trócaire is currently seeking to recruit a Programme Technical Lead - Climate Resilience & Economic Empowerment to join our dynamic and passionate Programme Team. The role will report to the Head of Programmes.

Role Summary

The Programme Technical Lead - Climate Resilience & Economic Empowerment (PTL-CR&EP) will lead on the delivery of Trócaire’s climate resilience, sustainable food systems and (womens) economic empowerment approaches, that support women, youth and communities to strengthen food sovereignty and climate resilience through: agro-ecology, sustainable livelihoods; protection of natural resources; improved market access, value addition and increased voice & influence in decision making processes in Sierra Leone. Currently funded through Irish Aid and private donors in 4 Districts (Kambia, Port Loko, Karene and Western Area Rural) with four partners, but with potential to expand. The (PTL-CCR&EP) will coordinate closely with other Programme Technical Leads and Head Office advisors to ensure integrated programming approach. The role will serve as the lead technical expert for sustainable food systems and related livelihoods, providing support to programmes and partners on market access, value addition, enterprise development, agro-ecology and Natural Resource Management, with a particular focus on women and other vulnerable groups. To achieve this the Programme Technical Lead will be responsible for designing with partners and stakeholders, innovative and impactful solutions and strategies in the relevant thematic areas. The role will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of civil society partners and providing technical assistance and accompaniment to ensure programme quality. S/he will also be responsible to build on existing strong relationships with key government actors to position Trócaire and partners to be able to support women and communities to effectively influence policies and decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods and natural resources. The role will represent Trócaire Sierra Leone’s programming in this sector with major public and private donors, NGOs, universities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other professional organizations. The role will also support the development of well-designed proposals in areas of technical expertise.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, proactive and results-oriented with a proven track record and expertise in sustainable food systems with related livelihoods, inclusive market access, agro-ecology, Natural Resource Management, climate resilience and working with local partners.

Key Responsibilities

Technical and Programme Quality

• Lead and assume accountability for the successful delivery of climate resilience, sustainable food systems and (womens) economic empowerment programming.
• Provide high-quality technical support and accompaniment to partners on sustainable food systems related livelihoods, access to finance and markets including value addition (at community and small processing centres levels), enterprise development business incubation, climate change resilience[1], agro-ecology and NRM, – in coordination with Technical Lead for Climate Change Policy & Advocacy (PTL-CCP&A).
• In coordination with the MEAL team, PTL – CCP&A support the country team to proactively drive an evidence-based agenda around advocacy and policy influencing on climate and environmental justice, sustainable food systems and resource rights that is inclusive of the voices of women and PWD.
• Work closely with the PTL - Gender & Women’s Empowerment and PTL -GBV & Inclusion, to integrate women’s empowerment and inclusion into sustainable food systems, economic empowerment and climate resilience programming.
• Collaborate with Trócaire Technical Leads (in country) and Advisors (head office) to align programming approaches with best practices, ensuring consistency and documentation
• Review and update the monthly Project Budget versus Actual reports including transaction list and project expenses planning to avoid under/overspending and ensure accurate budget forecasting.

Partnership and Capacity Strengthening

• Lead partnership portfolio management of Trócaire’s thematic partners delivering climate resilience, sustainable food systems and (women) economic empowerment.
• Lead on capacity-strengthening initiatives, coaching, and mentoring of partners, on technical areas, including regular field accompaniment visits - Coordinating closely with the other Programme Technical Leads for cross learnings and integration.
• Coordinate with Localisation Hub and Partnership & Localisation Manager on the development of tailored capacity strengthening tools and support packages, risk-based oversight and performance support/recovery where required for partners.

• Design and deliver capacity strengthening trainings, manuals, and guidance documents for partners in key technical areas using participatory techniques appropriate to audiences of various literacy and technical expertise levels.
• Monitor ongoing implementation of partner projects through field visits (including joint field visits with finance and MEAL teams) and provide written feedback on compliance with agreed project objectives and Trócaire’s standards.
• Contribute proactively to the successful implementation of integrated programming framework as one of Trócaire’s key programming strategies

Reporting and Information Management

• Lead in the development of donor, government, and programme reports for projects within your portfolio.
• Develop Service Level Agreements and lead on reporting and correspondence with the relevant line ministry.
• Collect and review partners’ narrative, MEAL and financial reports (jointly with MEAL and finance) and ensure timely submission, quality assurance and compliance with financial norms and standards.
• Coordinate with MEAL Manager to manage programme MEAL and support partners to have effective results-based MEAL systems, including needs assessments and programme baselines and endlines.
• Contribute/lead case studies and lessons learned documents and disseminate to key stakeholders (internally and externally).
• Participate in wider organisational planning and review work, as and where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and updated project files (both on Salesforce (as default) Country Box Office, and hard copy)

Programme Growth and Representation

• Support the development of institutional and foundation funding applications (concept notes and full proposals) in area of expertise in close coordination with Business Development and Grants Manager, partners, and HQ.
• Build Trócaire Sierra Leone’s reputation and networks in sustainable food systems, livelihoods, markets, environment, climate change space through participation in relevant networks, working groups and conferences.

• With HQ advisors continue to explore new opportunities for off-farm sustainable livelihoods including value addition, social enterprise development and market access.
• Coordinate with the PTL- Climate Change Policy & Advocacy and HQ advisors to explore new opportunities for the growth of climate adaptation & mitigation opportunities, including agroecology, nature based solutions, circular economy and renewable energy.
• Proactively identify and represent Trócaire Sierra Leone in thematic space and key policy influencing fora's and actively engage key stakeholders/actors in and outside of Sierra Leone (e.g. Agroecology Coalition).
• Other Duties
• Support visibility and communication activities—developing case studies, updates, and promotional materials to highlight project outcomes.
• Support in hosting visitors, including donors, Ministries and the media, and represent Trócaire at relevant forums and events.
• Contribute to country-level strategic planning, program reviews, and team learning.
• Carry out other responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Programmes and Country Director.