Project Officer- Livelihoods

Job Description

Title: Project Officer- Livelihoods

Company Name: Institute of Development Affairs (IDEA)

Vacancy: 1

Age: At most 50 years

Job Location: Sylhet (Golapganj)

Salary: Tk. 40000 (Monthly)

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Development Studies, or related field

• 3 to 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Age At most 50 years

Required Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years of experience in livelihoods programming, microfinance, or community economic development

• Experience with VSLAs or community savings groups is highly preferred

• Strong understanding of local market and economic context

• Good communication and facilitation skills

• Basic computer skills and ability to collect and document data

• Fluency in English and Bengali (written and spoken)

Key Attributes

• Commitment to supporting women and youth economic empowerment

• Patience and ability to work with vulnerable groups

• Good listening and empathy skills

• Willingness to spend significant time in communities

• Adaptability and problem-solving orientation

Project Duration: 01 September 2026 to 31 December 2028

Job Duration: 28 Months

Location: Golapganj Upazila of Sylhet District

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term

Position Overview

The Project Officer for Livelihoods of STEP project is responsible for direct implementation of the economic empowerment component at the community level. This officer will work closely with vulnerable households, particularly women and youth, to support livelihood development through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), vocational skills training, and entrepreneurship support. The position requires regular field presence, strong community engagement skills, and commitment to supporting community members in their economic recovery and resilience. STEP Project is implemented by the Institute of Development Affairs (IDEA), Project funded by SOS-Sweden and Technical support by SOS Children's Villages International in Bangladesh.

Key Responsibilities

• Mobilize vulnerable households and communities for livelihoods support. Conduct household visits and community meetings to build awareness and enrollment.

• Work with community leaders to identify and select vulnerable households and youth for livelihood programs. Maintain lists of selected beneficiaries with supporting documentation.

• Facilitate the formation and operation of Village Savings and Loan Associations. Conduct regular support sessions on savings discipline, internal lending processes, and financial literacy.

• Assist in delivering vocational and entrepreneurship training programs to selected beneficiaries. Support participants in developing business plans tailored to market opportunities.

• Provide on-going support to trained entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses. Help with market linkages, problem-solving, and basic business advice.

• Work with the Project Officer for Finance to process and disburse business start-up grants to eligible beneficiaries. Monitor grant utilization through regular visits.

• Share regular market information with beneficiaries to help them identify viable income opportunities. Help link beneficiaries with potential buyers and market outlets.

• Collect regular data on livelihoods activities, beneficiary participation, and economic outcomes. Maintain attendance records and progress updates.

• Document success stories and lessons learned from livelihoods activities. Compile reports on activities and outcomes for submission to SOS.

• Participate in joint monitoring visits with SOS. Share updates on activities and respond to SOS guidance and technical support.