Assistant Project Officer

Background

The Hunger Project (THP) is a global, non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. THP believes in a world where every woman, man and child can lead a healthy, fulfilling life of self-reliance and dignity; and works towards that goal by pioneering sustainable strategies for Gender-focused and Integrated Community Led Development, which is the process of working together to create and achieve locally owned visions and goals. The Hunger Project – Ethiopia (THP-E) is implementing projects in rural areas of Ethiopia since 2004 and currently recruiting full time staff for the following positions:

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Project Officer, the Assistant Project Officer will support the effective implementation of rural community livelihood and resilience building interventions under the project of ‘Transformative Partnership: Strengthening Civil Society for community resilience building’ project which is implemented in Mareko Special Woreda and Meskan Woreda of East Gurage Zone.’

Duties and Responsibilities:

Community Mobilization

• Execute the day-to-day project activities at the kebele and neighborhood levels.
• Work closely with local government sectors, development agents, community members and leaders;
• Conduct sub village level project familiarization and facilitate the election of Animators (volunteer community leaders & peer educators) per sub village;
• Train Animators on leadership and as peer educators on the components of the project including agroecology and eco animal husbandry practices;
• Mentor Animators to lead target communities’ engagement in project planning, implementation and review processes;
• Mobilize and create sub-village women only space for marginalized women in target areas for economic empowerment;
• Ensure safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusion standards during the project implementation.

Agroecology Practices

• Facilitate training workshop for Kebele project implementing government partners on agroecology including agroforestry and eco animal husbandry practices;
• Assess kebele Farmers Training Centers, and facilitate capacity building support to serve as training centers for the project and beyond;
• Train target communities at sub-village level on the components of the project they are participating including agroforestry, compost production and eco animal husbandry;
• Mentor and guide Animators to conduct peer education on agroforestry, composting and eco animal husbandry in their respective domains (sub-villages);
• Assist local level purchasing of project inputs including identification of dependable local suppliers and ensuring quality of inputs;
• Ensure preparatory works by the target community (smallholders) and execute the timely distribution of agricultural inputs in cooperation with local stakeholders;
• Provide follow up extension services to smallholders that received training and agricultural inputs and facilitate similar support from government partners.
• Mobilize rural women & unemployed youth per sub-village and conduct orientation on rural entrepreneurship and inclusive green loan;
• Train target women and unemployed youth on rural entrepreneurship including saving and credit, basic business plan & local green business opportunities;
• Conduct assessment on kebele primary SACCos and lead capacity building support;
• Train primary SACCo leaders on project initiatives including green loan and green business opportunities;
• Facilitate for trained women and unemployed youth to join primary SACCos and access loan & engage in profitable green businesses.
• Support baseline and evaluation surveys and monitoring by THP-E MEAL Officer;
• Document project activities data to ensure compliance with project plans, timelines, and quality standards;
• Assist THP-E country office staff in organizing field level meetings, training sessions, and site visits;
• Identify field-level challenges and report issues or risks to the Project Officer;
• Prepare and submit quarterly project reports, success stories and lessons to the Project Officer.

Rural Entrepreneurship

• Mobilize rural women & unemployed youth per sub-village and conduct orientation on rural entrepreneurship and inclusive green loan;
• Train target women and unemployed youth on rural entrepreneurship including saving and credit, basic business plan & local green business opportunities;
• Conduct assessment on kebele primary SACCos and lead capacity building support;
• Train primary SACCo leaders on project initiatives including green loan and green business opportunities;
• Facilitate for trained women and unemployed youth to join primary SACCos and access loan & engage in profitable green businesses.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Support baseline and evaluation surveys and monitoring by THP-E MEAL Officer;
• Document project activities data to ensure compliance with project plans, timelines, and quality standards;
• Assist THP-E country office staff in organizing field level meetings, training sessions, and site visits;
• Identify field-level challenges and report issues or risks to the Project Officer;
• Prepare and submit quarterly project reports, success stories and lessons to the Project Officer.

Job Requirements:

Experience

• Minimum of first degree in Rural Development, Agriculture, Natural resource management or a related field of studies.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in rural and development, natural resource management and agriculture sectors.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Amharic & English languages;
• Strong communication skills and ability in facilitate community trainings.
• Proactive in providing mentorship, guidance and assistance to community leaders.

Skills and Competences:

• Strong understanding of community mobilization and resilience building.
• Excellent coordination, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Team-oriented, proactive, and problem-solving mindset
• Report writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic Computer Literacy: Microsoft office packages
• Valid motorcycle driving license & skill (there will be test).
• Commitment to THP-E mission, values and policy.