Area-Based Approach (ABA) Coordinator

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme Operations

LOCATION: Sekota

GRADE: 3B

CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months with possibility of Extension

Reports to: Field office Manager

Matrix Manager: Senior Program Lead for the ABA Project

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; ore because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Area-Based Approach (ABA) Coordinator will provide overall field-level leadership, coordination, and operational oversight for the implementation of the ECHO-funded Area-Based Approach (ABA) programme in Wag himra. The position will lead the operationalization of the ABA model by strengthening integrated multisectoral programming, facilitating area-level coordination, supporting joint analysis and prioritization, and ensuring effective implementation of the Joint Response Plan (JRP) across consortium partners and sectors.

The ABA Coordinator will serve as the central field-level focal point for:

• operational coordination,
• service mapping and referral systems,
• integrated planning,
• adaptive management,
• and linkage with ABC/SRE-ACT and existing humanitarian coordination structures.

The role will ensure that programme implementation is:

• Evidence-based,
• conflict-sensitive,
• operationally coherent,
• and aligned with ECHO expectations and humanitarian standards.

The ABA Coordinator will work closely with consortium partners, local authorities, humanitarian actors, and community structures to strengthen operational complementarity, functionality of services, accountability to affected populations, and localized ownership of the response

SCOPE OF ROLE

Role Dimensions:

The ABA Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day field-level operationalization of the ABA framework across targeted locations in Wag himra. The role requires close collaboration with consortium partners, government structures, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, and local actors to ensure integrated and geographically coherent implementation.

The position will support:

• multisectoral coordination,
• service functionality analysis,
• operational prioritization,
• referral pathway strengthening,
• and adaptive humanitarian response management.

The ABA Coordinator will also support operational preparedness, emergency escalation, and integration of accountability and MEAL systems within the broader ABA framework.

Staff reporting to this post: None

Reports to: Field office Manager

Budget Responsibilities: None

External Engagement:

Internal: Collaborate with consortium partners for cohesive implementation.

External: Engage with local authorities and humanitarian actors to foster partnerships and enhance service delivery.

Community: Build trust and maintain communication with affected populations for accountability and ownership.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1.ABA Coordination & Operational Leadership

• Lead the field-level operationalization of the Area-Based Approach (ABA) in Wag himra.
• Facilitate integrated and multisectoral implementation across sectors and consortium partners.
• Coordinate establishment and functioning of ABA coordination structures at zonal and woreda levels.
• Support linkage and complementarity between ABA structures and existing ABC/SRE-ACT coordination systems.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings, joint analysis sessions, and operational review discussions.
• Ensuring implementation remains aligned with agreed geographic prioritization and Joint Response Planning (JRP) processes.
• Support operational escalation and problem-solving related to access, service gaps, referrals, and implementation bottlenecks.

2. Service Mapping, Referral Systems & Joint Analysis

• Lead and coordinate service mapping exercises and regular updates of the service directory.
• Support establishment and operationalization of integrated referral systems across sectors and actors.
• Ensure referral pathways, focal points, SOPs, and tracking systems are functional and regularly monitored.
• Coordinate facility functionality assessments and operational gap analysis.
• Support joint multisectoral analysis and identification of priority gaps and underserved populations.
• Work closely with REACH/IM partners and consortium IM teams to strengthen operational analysis and evidence-based planning.
• Ensure operational information and mapping systems are updated and used for adaptive decision-making.

3. Programme Implementation & Quality Assurance

• Monitor implementation progress across sectors and partners against agreed plans and targets.
• Ensuring programme implementation follows humanitarian standards, ECHO requirements, and ABA operational principles.
• Promote integrated and layered response approaches at community and facility levels.
• Support operational quality assurance and follow-up on technical recommendations.
• Ensure strong linkage between facility-level interventions and community-based systems.
• Monitor operational risks, implementation bottlenecks, and emerging humanitarian needs.
• Ensure all ABA practices comply with SCI, SOP, regulations, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
• Conduct regular program evaluations to maintain high-quality service delivery.

4. Coordination, Representation & Partnerships

• Represent the consortium at field-level coordination forums and technical discussions.
• Maintain close working relationships with zonal and woreda authorities, humanitarian actors, and community structures.
• Facilitate collaboration and complementarity among consortium and non-consortium actors.
• Strengthen participation and leadership roles of local actors and community structures within the ABA framework.
• Support preparation and facilitation of donor monitoring visits and field missions.
• Facilitate regular meetings with staff and stakeholders to discuss partner progress and program effectiveness.
• Contribute to strategic discussions related to ABA implementation and operational coordination.

5. Accountability, MEAL & Community Engagement

• Support implementation of common Accountability, MEAL, and referral SOPs across consortium partners.
• Ensure community feedback mechanisms and complaints systems are operational and accessible.
• Support integration of accountability and community feedback into operational decision-making.
• Monitor referral completion and service continuity.
• Support learning, lessons learned exercises, and adaptive management processes.
• Promote inclusive participation of women, youth, IDPs, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.
• Maintain proper documentation of the project implementation process and outcome, lesson learned to integrate in to project activities and inform project strategies and report it to the line manager
• Compile Success Stories Most significant changes for activities brought significant change.
• Carry out other duties as requested by the line manager
• Compile and submit progress reports to line manager

6. Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Modifier Support

• Support implementation of Crisis Modifier (CM) systems and operational triggers.
• Monitor emerging risks, outbreaks, shocks, and operational changes.
• Support preparedness planning and rapid operational escalation during emergencies.
• Coordinate with technical teams and partners during outbreak or rapid response activation.
• Contribute to scenario planning and contingency preparedness activities

7. Staff Management & Capacity Strengthening

• Provide day-to-day supervision and support to field-based ABA staff.
• Strengthen staff understanding of ABA principles, referral systems, and integrated programming approaches.
• Facilitate capacity strengthening of local actors and frontline teams.
• Promote collaboration, teamwork, and accountability across sectors and partners.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

• Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, or related field.
• Master’s degree is an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in humanitarian programming, emergency response, or area-based programming.
• Proven experience coordinating multisectoral humanitarian programmes in complex emergency settings.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian coordination systems, cluster architecture, and area-based approaches.
• Experience facilitating operational coordination among multiple actors and sectors.
• Experience in service mapping, operational analysis, referral systems, or integrated programming.
• Strong understanding of Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, System Strengthening and Education programme integration.
• Experience working with government structures, local actors, and humanitarian coordination platforms.
• Strong planning, facilitation, coordination, and communication skills.
• Experience managing operational complexity and adaptive programming.
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and representation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in insecure and rapidly changing environments.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, accountability, and safeguarding.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Commitment to Save the Children values.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operation

Desirable

• Experience with ECHO-funded programmes.
• Previous experience with ABA/ABC or integrated humanitarian programming.
• Experience working in northern Ethiopia or similar conflict-affected settings.
• Familiarity with REACH/IM systems and humanitarian information management.
• Knowledge of localization and community-based approaches.

Additional job responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

• We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.