Project officer, Livelihood

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Why we need you?

Under the supervision of FCSP and FD Manager, the  livelihood officer is responsible and actively engage in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the livelihood-related activities of the project, fulfilling the donor compliances. S/he has the mandate to coordinate and work with relevant partners and stakeholders of the project to ensure integrated and need-based services delivery to targets. S/he will provide monthly, quarterly, and annual plans and report to the line manager and updates on project activities as per government and donor requirements.  

What we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

Major Prioriy and responsibilities 

• In collaboration with partner and government stakeholders prepare detailed annual and quarter plan of livelihood related project activities and ensure their implementation in light of the project objectives.
• Facilitate and ensure the active involvement of project targets mainly women and girls in vulnerable positions as primary stakeholders in all project execution and monitoring.
• Produce and timely submit quality and standard monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports based on donor and government requirements.
• Responsible for a day-to-day implementation and supervision of livelihood related project activities and outputs in accordance with the project objectives, work plan, M&E plan, and allocated budget.
• Ensure the project meets planned targets, annual plans and budget is efficiently utilized for the project with full accountability to SOS CVE, project partners and to the donor.
• Participate in the in then of target beneficiaries using various and agreed socio-economic criteria.
• Ensure that the project is implemented and addressed the priority needs of the community, and women & girls in line with SOS CVE principles, values and strategic plan.
• Work closely with local women led CSOs, government and the communities in the implementation, and joint monitoring of livelihood activities.
• Ensures the quality, relevance and integrated nature of livelihood to gender responsive interventions in the project.
• Ensure that technical, financial, and operational activities are carried out according to agreed milestones, donors’ and SOS CV policies and procedures.
• In close collaboration with Program MEAL Coordinator, partners and government stakeholders, undertake regular team-based supervision and communicate the report to improve livelihood strategies.
• Document and share key lessons, case stories and achievements for learning and development.
• Ensure personal commitment in building constructive and collaborative working relationships and team spirit with partners.
• Map private sectors for link up skilled women and girls for wage employment and approach government offices to engage targets to smooth facilitation of self-employment
• Establish transparent relationships with partners including identification of their concerns and managing expectations in regards to livelihood related interventions.
• Facilitate Capacity building trainings and platforms for key Livelihood related service providers.
• Support women Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) to improve the leadership and the capacity of women agency
• Organize gender discussion groups for saving group members and relatives on gender norms and how they function at the household level to encourage women’s economic participation both at home and in society at large.
• Engage and work closely with stakeholders and partners in strengthening and increasing access to women and girls empowerment services. 

Child and Youth safeguarding 

• Responsible to take part in awareness raising sessions and capacity building trainings in relation to Child and Youth Safeguarding (CYS) to prevent and protect children and young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
• Support children and young people to make them understand the CYS risks and protection mechanisms
• Responsible to report any CYS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child and Youth Safeguarding reporting procedures. CYS reports should be made to the CYS team at program level and/or to the respective line manager

Job Requirements

Education: BA/MA degree in livelihoods, development studies, economics or other related field.

Experience : A minimum of 5 years’ experience in livelihood projects or similar. Professional and technical experience matching the above-mentioned duties and responsibilities.

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of Livelihood modalities, livelihood empowerment in Ethiopian context.
• Technical expertise, knowledge, and experience in, Livelihood support, psychosocial service provision and Multisectoral referral linkage mechanisms to avail improved and integrated services.
• Knowledge and experience working with Micro and Small-Scale Enterprises (MSEs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs), MFIs, Private Enterprises/employers, and Youth Centres.
• Practical experience in job matching, enterprise development and employment and BDS services for job seeker and business starters youth.
• Training facilitation for women and girls and post-training mentoring and coaching of women to increase their employment success.
• Robust analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Demonstrable track record of meeting or exceeding program targets as per the plan, whilst maintaining program quality.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching/mentoring.

Required competency

The following set of value-based competencies are behaviors that are expected from everyone who works for or on behalf of SOS Children’s Villages to achieve a culture of safeguarding.

Lead Competencies

• Role Model: Act as a role model for the organization, living our values and inspiring and learning from others
• Collaboration: Remove barriers to participation, share decision making and build partnerships
• Empowerment: Promote inclusion and equitable sharing of power
• Strategic Thinking: Live the values and mission, setting realistic goals and translating them into actionable plans

Core competency

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others.
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary.
• Results Orientation: look for solutions and focus on desired results.

How to Apply

Excited to take on a new Challenge..

Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact detail of there references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.