The Project Assistant supports the implementation of the multi-country project Home 3 in Sierra Leone, coordinating operational activities, relations with partners, reporting, and monitoring under the functional supervision of the Project Manager (PM) based in Italy and the line management of the Country Representative (CR).
In parallel, the staff acts as the International Adoption Country Focal person for AVSI Sierra Leone, managing adoption procedures, maintaining relations with authorities and child institutions, accompanying families throughout the process, preparing documentation, and coordinating relevant professionals. The position includes the coordination and monitoring of project staff and ensuring compliance with AVSI and donor procedures.
Net Monthly Salary: 1.200€
Project Assistant e International adoption officer junior
Main tasks and responsibilities
Project Assistant:
→ Contribute to achieving project objectives in Sierra Leone.
→ Support planning and implementation of activities under the supervision of the PM Italy and the CR.
→ Coordinate activities with local partners, institutions, and operational stakeholders.
→ Prepare operational documents, analyses, technical reports, and materials requested by the donor or coordination.
→ Monitor field activities, beneficiaries, results, and indicators.
→ Support the preparation of periodic and final narrative and financial reports.
→ Facilitate effective systems for reporting, monitoring, and data collection in collaboration with MEAL department
→ Support administrative processes, procurement procedures, and the drafting of Terms of Reference and contracts.
→ Promote synergies with other AVSI projects and share relevant information internally.
→ Coordinate, supervise, and monitor project staff.
→ Transmit timely information to the PM Italy and the CR.
→ Delegate tasks to respective project staff as required for the effective implementation of project components, ensuring clarity of roles, timely delivery, and compliance with procedures.
International adoption officer:
→ Receive and verify adoption dossiers submitted by families.
→ Maintain regular communication with the Central Authority and institutions involved in adoption procedures.
→ Manage the matching process: assessment of matching proposals; relations with children homes; visits and assessment of children; accompaniment of children to medical examinations.
→ Prepare and transmit all documentation related to the matching process.
→ Organize accommodation and logistical arrangements for prospective adoptive families.
→ Coordinate lawyers, translators, escorts, and specialized personnel.
→ Welcome the couple upon arrival and accompany them to institutional appointments.
→ Accompany families to the first meeting with the child and follow-up meetings as needed.
→ Manage final stages of the procedure: collection of adoption court orders; request for new birth certificates and passport,; preparation of documents for consular legalization,; transmission of documents to Italy for authorization to return.
→ Support families in obtaining the visa.
→ Perform other tasks related to the adoption procedure as required.
→ Delegate tasks to respective project staff as required for the effective implementation of project components, ensuring clarity of roles, timely delivery, and compliance with procedures.
Essential Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology/Social Sciences or equivalent
Work experience:
At least 1 year of NGO work experience
Language proficiency:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Italian
Required skills and experiences
· Computer skills: ability to effectively use MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Exchange)
· Good attitude and experience in working with partners and allies
· Independent performance of the task within a certain scope of action and decision-making process related to the task.
· Excellent communication skills in building relationships with local contacts
· Well developed interpersonal and team skills and proven ability to be flexible and sensitive in challenging situations; passion for working with others
· Good understanding and commitment to gender equality
*AVSI reserves the right to request information from previous employers regarding any disputes, safeguarding concerns, investigations, or disciplinary actions, and to require the candidate to provide criminal and civil records, for the purpose of assessing the worker’s professional suitability for roles involving contact with vulnerable individuals, including children and adults.*
** AVSI applies the principle of inclusiveness and non-discrimination in its selection process, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, religious belief, disability, or belonging to protected classes.