Community Mobilizer

Project Title

Connected Care – Innovative Community-Based Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Ecosystem for CYWD in Oromiya and Sidama Regions

Project Number

• CC-ETH-2026-002

Donor / Partner

• Liliane Fonds (LF)

Project Duration

• 3 years (2026–2028)

Number of Vacant Positions

• 4 position types, 10 posts in total (see summary table below)

Duty Stations

• Addis Ababa (head office) and field bases in Bishoftu and Ambo (Oromiya) and Hawassa (Sidama), covering 20 target woredas

Vacancy Type

• Internal/External — open to current Cheshire Ethiopia staff and external applicants

Application Deadline

• 10 working days from the date of this announcement

Organizational Background

Cheshire Ethiopia (Registration No. 0505) is a leading national non-governmental organization committed to disability rehabilitation and inclusive health services since 1962. With over six decades of experience in community-based rehabilitation (CBR), Cheshire Ethiopia’s mission is to ensure the rights and full participation of persons with disabilities. The organization operates from established centers in Addis Ababa, Menagesha, Hawassa, and Dire Dawa, with an annual production capacity of over 1,200 wheelchairs, prosthetics, and mobility aids, and a network of 500+ trained community health workers across Oromiya and Sidama regions.

Cheshire Ethiopia, in partnership with Liliane Fonds, is implementing “Connected Care”, a three-year (2026–2028) initiative to establish Ethiopia’s first hybrid high-tech/low-cost assistive technology (AT) ecosystem. The project integrates Mobile Rehabilitation Units (MRUs), community-managed AT production labs, a tele-rehabilitation platform, and the “Ekul” community solidarity financing model to close critical rehabilitation service gaps for 3,000 Children and Youth with Disabilities (CYWD) across 20 woredas of Oromiya (13 woredas) and Sidama (7 woredas).

To deliver this ambitious model, Cheshire Ethiopia is recruiting a project team of ten (10) staff across four position types, based at the project coordination office in Addis Ababa and at MRU field bases in Bishoftu, Ambo, and Hawassa. This vacancy is open to both internal candidates (current Cheshire Ethiopia staff) and external applicants

Community Mobilizer

Job Title

• Community Mobilizer

Job Grade

• As per Cheshire Ethiopia organizational salary scale (Community Mobilizer Grade)

Number of Positions

• Three (3) — one per Mobile Rehabilitation Unit

Contract Duration

• One (1) year, renewable subject to performance and availability of funds

Location

• Local hire, based in target woredas of Oromiya and Sidama

Reports To

• MRU Field Team Lead

Position Purpose

The Community Mobilizer is a local-hire position responsible for building community awareness, identifying and mobilizing Children and Youth with Disabilities (CYWD) and their families, and supporting the Mobile Rehabilitation Unit’s community-facing activities, including outreach scheduling, the “Ekul” community financing mechanism, and community feedback processes.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

•       Identify and mobilize CYWD, families, and caregivers in target kebeles and woredas to access MRU and tele-rehabilitation services.

•       Support MRU scheduling by coordinating community visit logistics, informing households and local leaders of upcoming outreach dates, and mobilizing community turnout.

•       Design and support community-based awareness activities using local media, schools, community centers, and faith-based organizations, including distribution of educational materials on eye and rehabilitation health and disability inclusion.

•       Facilitate and support the “Ekul” solidarity financing activities in the community, including coffee-ceremony donations, Equb integration, and patron sponsorship outreach.

•       Coordinate with local government structures, kebele administrations, Regional Health Bureau outposts, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and traditional/religious leaders to support referral pathways and stigma reduction.

•       Establish and maintain community feedback mechanisms, ensuring the voices of CYWD, women, and marginalized groups are incorporated into program delivery (e.g., community scorecards, learning circles).

•       Support rapid community assessments and mapping to identify high-need areas, target households, and referral linkages.

•       Support family and caregiver training sessions (including remote/virtual sessions) using simple mobile app protocols and act as a translation/language link where needed.

•       Report community-level activities, attendance, and feedback data to the MRU Field Team Lead.

Working Conditions

The Project Coordinator and Finance Officer are based at Cheshire Ethiopia’s project coordination office in Addis Ababa, with regular field travel to project woredas. MRU Field Team Leads, AT Maintenance Specialists & Drivers, and Community Mobilizers are based at the MRU field bases in Bishoftu, Ambo, and Hawassa, with frequent travel by motorized tricycle to remote and rural communities across Oromiya and Sidama regional states. All post holders must be prepared to work under varying field conditions, including travel to hard-to-reach villages.

Salary and benefits for all positions are set according to Cheshire Ethiopia’s organizational salary scale for the relevant grade. The initial contract duration for all positions is one (1) year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, project needs, and availability of funds as outlined in the Connected Care project budget.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Cheshire Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or disability status. Women, persons with disabilities, and qualified candidates from Oromiya and Sidama regions are strongly encouraged to apply. Cheshire Ethiopia is committed to a workplace free from discrimination and dedicated to the principles of inclusion and diversity.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

•       Diploma or Level 5 in community health, social work, public health, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.

Experience

•       Minimum 1–2 years of experience in community mobilization, health outreach, social work, or disability-related community programs.

•       Prior experience or lived proximity to disability issues, or work with OPDs/CBOs, is highly desirable.

•       Experience working with children, youth, and their families in a rural community setting is an advantage.

Skills and Attributes

•       Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and community engagement skills.

•       Local residency in, or strong familiarity with, the target woredas of Oromiya or Sidama.

•       Fluency in Amharic and Afaan Oromo and/or Sidaamu Afoo, matching the assigned operational area.

•       Basic literacy and comfort using a smartphone for simple data collection and communication apps.

•       Cultural sensitivity, disability awareness, and a strong commitment to inclusive, rights-based community engagement.

•       Willingness to travel locally within the assigned woredas, including to remote villages.