| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | NGO and Social Sector |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Programme Coordinator |
| Direct reports | Community Mobiliser, Social Worker |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in field work with some supervision |
Field Coordinator job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Field Coordinator
Department: NGO and Social Sector
Reports to: Programme Coordinator
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Field Coordinator leads the field team in a cluster of villages or a block, making sure daily field work happens to plan. They assign work to mobilisers and workers, supervise activities, collect and check field data, and keep the coordinator or manager updated. The role reports to the Programme Coordinator or Programme Manager. A good field coordinator keeps the field team productive and honest, resolves problems on the ground quickly, and makes sure activities and data meet the programme's standards.
Key responsibilities
- Assign daily and weekly field work to mobilisers and field workers in the cluster.
- Supervise field activities and check they are done to plan and quality.
- Collect and verify field data and reports from the team before sending up.
- Solve on the ground problems and support the team in difficult situations.
- Coordinate with local officials, community leaders and partner staff.
- Track activity targets for the cluster and flag shortfalls early.
- Organise logistics and materials for field activities in the area.
- Support the induction and on the job training of new field staff.
- Maintain cluster records, staff attendance and beneficiary consent forms in order.
- Report progress, issues and community feedback to the coordinator or manager.
Requirements
- Graduate in social work or any stream
- MSW is an advantage
- Local language fluency and area knowledge
- 2 to 5 years in field work with some supervision
KRAs and KPIs for a Field Coordinator
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Activity completion | Cluster field activities completed to plan on at least 90 percent of the schedule |
| Data verification | Field data verified before submission with errors below the agreed level |
| Target coverage | Cluster beneficiary targets met each quarter |
| Team management | Field team attendance and productivity meeting the cluster standard |
| Local coordination | No activity blocked by an unresolved local issue in the month |
| Records | Cluster records and consent forms complete and current |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: MS Excel and Word, KoboToolbox or ODK, Field trackers, Smartphone for data, Local transport.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Programme Coordinator, Programme Officer, Programme Manager
Interview questions for a Field Coordinator
- How do you plan and assign a week of field work for your team?
- How do you check that a mobiliser's reported data is genuine?
- How do you handle a field worker who is not meeting targets?
- How do you resolve a problem with a local official that is blocking work?
- How do you keep the team motivated in tough field conditions?
- Tell me about a field problem you solved quickly on the ground.
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What does a field coordinator do?
A field coordinator leads the field team in a cluster of villages or a block. They assign daily work to mobilisers and workers, supervise activities, collect and verify field data, coordinate with local officials, and keep the manager updated. They keep the field team productive and honest and make sure activities and data meet programme standards.
What is the difference between a field coordinator and a community mobiliser?
A community mobiliser works directly with households and groups to build participation. A field coordinator supervises several mobilisers and workers across a cluster, assigning work, checking data and solving problems. The coordinator is a first level supervisor, while the mobiliser is closest to the community on the ground.
What qualifications do you need to be a field coordinator?
Most field coordinators hold a graduate degree, often in social work, and an MSW is an advantage. Local language fluency and knowledge of the area are essential. Employers look for field experience with some supervision, skills in work allocation and data verification, and the ability to coordinate with local officials and support a team.