Provincial Project Officer (4 Positions)
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Community Development, Advocacy, Rural development, Capacity development
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: $500 - $600
Contract type: The successful candidate will undergo a three-month probationary period. Upon satisfactory performance, API may offer a two-year Fixed Duration Contract (FDC).
Location: Kampong Thom Province (2 positions) and Pursat Province (2 positions), with frequent travel within the target districts and communes
Report to: Senior Project Officer (SPO)
Job Purpose
The Project Officer will implement the CLIPS project, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation in Cambodia's public financial management (PFM) systems. This role involves coordinating and implementing project activities at the sub-national level, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and engaging with civil society and government stakeholders.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Outcome 1: Capacity and Participation
- Strategic intervention: API will build the capacity of citizens and responsive local authorities by combining structured capacity-building, institutional strengthening, and digital engagement — simultaneously increasing citizen capability, institutional readiness, and access to information.
- Coordinate the development, review, and mapping of existing tools and training materials.
- Distribute training materials and leaflets to educate citizens on PFM.
- Conduct Training Needs Assessments and support the updating of community profiles.
- Conduct a series of capacity-building trainings for community-based organizations (CBOs), citizen leaders, and community representatives through a hybrid approach combining face-to-face sessions and an e-learning platform.
- Provide ongoing coaching, technical assistance, technological tools, and logistical support to trained Sub-National Administrations (SNAs) to enable them to effectively apply their knowledge and skills in their respective roles and implement civic engagement and governance activities.
- Support SNAs in conducting SNA budget analysis.
- Facilitate the implementation of revised civic engagement guidelines between Commune Councils, District Councils, and citizens.
- Awareness Raising on Citizen Rights and Public Service Delivery Monitoring: Conduct awareness-raising activities on citizen rights, the use of mobile and digital One Window Service (OWSO) services, and local budget information.
- Orientation on Digital Tools and Platforms for Civic Engagement on the use of government and NGO digital tools and platforms, including the API Citizens Budget App, MoI Commune/Sangkat Budget App, API–PIDOR OWSO platform, and MoI OWSO system.
- Outcome 2: Accountability and Oversight
- Strategic intervention: API will operationalise accountability by shifting trained citizens from passive participants to active leaders of oversight and advocacy processes, through citizen initiatives that generate evidence and engage directly with government platforms, and by embedding a civic engagement culture among youth through schools.
- Facilitate inclusive citizen participation in local planning processes of the Commune Investment Program (CIP) and Commune Development Plan (CDP).
- Facilitate citizen participation in local governance platforms, including council meetings, public forums, and sub-committees.
- Facilitate citizen monitoring of One Window Service delivery and public procurement processes.
- Developing the civic engagement curriculum in Public Finance Management (PFM) & fiscal decentralisation (MoI Circular 007) for high school students.
- Facilitate training sessions for students and teachers on civic engagement in PFM and fiscal decentralisation.
- Provide coaching and support to student- and teacher-led civic initiatives.
- Mobilise target groups to monitor public procurement processes and conduct District Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys.
- Outcome 3: Institutionalisation and Sustainability
- Strategic intervention: API will support the transition from project-driven engagement to system-level institutionalisation of participatory governance, ensuring participation-related policies and practices are revised, tested, and implemented to promote effective civic participation in local budget and fiscal management.
- Review of civic engagement guidelines under PFM & Fiscal Decentralisation, MoI Circular 007.
- Facilitate Council–Citizen Learning Forums on local budgeting and public expenditure.
- Coordinate implementation of the revised civic engagement guidelines between Commune Councils, District Councils, and citizens.
- Resource and Logistics Management
- Coordinate logistical arrangements for workshops, public forums, and field activities, including travel, venue setup, and procurement of materials.
- Support financial tracking and reporting related to project activities, ensuring compliance with budget allocations and donor guidelines.
- Partnership and Collaboration
- Maintain strong working relationships with communities, CBOs, local authorities, development partners to foster collaboration and sustainability.
- Represent the project in relevant forums, working groups, and coordination meetings.
Benefits:
- 13th-month salary
- Provident fund
- Seniority/Severance payment
- NSSF (health, personal accident, pension)
- Private company insurance (health, life, and personal accident insurance)
- Staff capacity building
Expected Profile of Candidates
Languages:
- Khmer - Good
- English - Good
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Project Management, Development Studies, or a related field
Work History:
- Project implementation, preferably in governance, PFM, policy advocacy, or civil society strengthening for 3 years as a minimum
Skills & Knowledge:
General & Technical Skills
- Experience implementing donor-funded projects and coordinating with project stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of Cambodia's governance and PFM context.
- Proficiency in English and Khmer.
- Experience with gender-responsive budgeting, Environment and Climate budgeting, and social accountability frameworks.
- Familiarity with digital tools for citizen engagement and budget tracking.
Soft Skills
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Project coordination and teamwork
- Financial and risk management
- Advocacy and policy influence
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Cultural and gender sensitivity.
