PROJECT OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT FACILITATION INITIATIVE) – SOUTHERN REGION

Job Summary

Duration: 6 Months

Reporting To: Chairman, AKEPB Southern Region

Coordination With: AKEPB National Team, Southern Region Teams, Jurisdiction/Local Chairpersons and Local POCs

POSITION PURPOSE

The Project Officer will serve as the central coordination and execution point for AKEPB Southern Region's candidate outreach, employment mapping, follow-up and placement-support initiatives.

The individual will ensure that agreed activities are actively followed up, tracked and completed within defined timelines, while maintaining effective coordination between the Southern Region, National and Local teams.

   This is a hands-on execution role requiring a positive attitude, strong ownership, initiative and excellent       follow-up skills.

Role and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and share suitable job opportunities with eligible candidates.
• Coordinate with employers regarding vacancies, interviews, and candidate requirements.
• Screen and refer candidates for suitable positions based on their qualifications and experience.
• Schedule and coordinate interviews between candidates and employers.
• Follow up with candidates and employers regarding interview results and job offers.
• Maintain accurate records of candidate applications, interviews, placements, and employment status.
• Track and prepare regular placement reports and updates.
• Support candidates with CVs, interview preparation, and career guidance.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with companies and recruitment partners.
• Follow up with placed candidates to monitor their employment status and progress.
• Achieve monthly placement targets and contribute to overall employment outcomes.
• Ensure all candidate and employer information is handled professionally and confidentially.

Project Execution & Follow-Up

• Take day-to-day ownership of Southern Region project activities and timelines.
• Maintain a clear action tracker covering responsibilities, deadlines and progress.
• Proactively follow up with stakeholders and ensure actions are taken to closure.
• Identify delays, gaps and bottlenecks and escalate them to the Chairman with practical recommendations.
• Monitor progress against agreed targets and milestones.

Candidate Outreach & Mapping

• Coordinate with local teams to ensure systematic outreach to mapped candidates.

• Track candidate status across key categories, including employment-seeking, studying, employed, unreachable, relocated, business, retired and other relevant categories.
• Ensure unreachable candidates are appropriately re-mapped through local follow-up.
• Monitor the completeness and accuracy of candidate information.

Mansab, CV & Employment Readiness

• Follow up on Mansab registration and profile completion.

• Coordinate with candidates/local teams to ensure CVs are updated where required.
• Track candidates who are ready for employment and those requiring training, skills development or career counselling.
• Maintain a clear pipeline of candidates requiring further intervention.

Coordination & Communication

• Act as the key coordination link between the Chairman, National AKEPB team and Local/Jurisdiction teams.

• Communicate priorities, action points and deadlines clearly to relevant stakeholders.
• Consolidate feedback and challenges from local teams and bring them to the attention of the appropriate leadership.
• Coordinate with relevant partner teams, including EB/EPB, on career counselling, training and employment initiatives.

MIS & Reporting

• Maintain a consolidated and updated Southern Region project tracker/database.
• Ensure data received from different jurisdictions is accurate, complete and current.
• Prepare concise weekly/periodic progress updates for the Chairman.
• Track key indicators including outreach completed, candidates mapped, Mansab registrations, CV updates, employment readiness, counselling/training referrals and employment outcomes.
• Maintain proper documentation and records of project activities.

Meetings & Action Management

• Support coordination of project meetings and discussions.

• Record key decisions and action points.
• Follow up with responsible persons until agreed actions are completed.
• Ensure meetings and discussions translate into measurable progress.

Confidentiality & Data Management

• Maintain strict confidentiality of candidate information and project records.
• Ensure information is shared only with authorized persons on a need-to-know basis.
• Follow established data privacy and document-access protocols.

• Maintain an accurate and updated Southern Region candidate database.
• Improve Mansab registration/profile completion and CV readiness.
• Establish a clear pipeline of candidates requiring employment, training or counselling support.
• Ensure regular and reliable reporting to the Chairman.
• Maintain effective coordination between National, Southern and Local teams.
• Ensure pending actions are actively followed up and closed.
• Highlight challenges early and support leadership in resolving them.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• We are looking for someone who is proactive, organized, energetic and execution-oriented.

    The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• A positive, can-do attitude and willingness to take initiative.
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Excellent follow-up and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Confidence and maturity to communicate with different levels of stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good organizational and time-management abilities.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously.
• Ability to identify problems and suggest practical solutions.
• Basic analytical and reporting skills.
• Good working knowledge of MS Excel/Google Sheets, Google Drive and PowerPoint.
• Discretion and sensitivity in handling confidential information.

Required Skills

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in project coordination, administration, operations, community engagement, stakeholder coordination, MIS or a similar role.
• Fresh graduates with strong organizational, communication and coordination abilities may also be considered.
• Good command of written and spoken English; knowledge of relevant local languages will be an advantage.
• Comfortable working with multiple teams and meeting defined deadlines.

KEY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The individual will primarily be evaluated on:

Area Expectation

• Ownership Takes responsibility and does not wait for repeated instructions.

• Follow-Up Consistently follows up until actions are completed. Execution Converts plans and discussions into actual progress. Coordination  Keeps National, Southern and Local teams aligned.
• Reporting Provides accurate and timely information to leadership.
• Problem Solving Identifies bottlenecks early and proposes solutions.
• Attitude Maintains a positive, respectful and solution-oriented approach.

WORKING PHILOSOPHY

• The successful candidate is expected to operate as an Execution-Focused Project Office, rather than simply an administrative coordinator.
• Understand → Take Ownership → Follow Up → Resolve → Close → Report
• The ability to respectfully push stakeholders, maintain momentum and ensure that commitments are converted into results will be critical to success in this role.

​ENGAGEMENT

• This is a six-month project-based engagement, with continuation subject to project requirements, performance and organizational approval. The role is ideal for an individual who wants to take ownership, work closely with leadership and make a measurable impact through disciplined execution.