Economic Strengthening Specialist

Position: Economic Strengthening Specialist

Employment Type: Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (renewable subject to funding and performance)

Reports To: Project Coordinator

Number Required: 1

Job Summary

The Economic Strengthening (ES) Specialist will provide technical leadership and hands-on support to design, implement, monitor, and strengthen ES interventions, including VSLA, livelihoods, cash and asset transfers, and IGA. The Specialist will build the capacity of ES Animators, SSWs, CEFs, and Case Workers; strengthen linkages with government, financial institutions, and market actors; and integrate ES with OVC, CLHIV, PBFW, and EID services to improve household economic resilience and support treatment continuity.

Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Leadership and Capacity Building

• Provide technical assistance, training, coaching, and mentorship to SR staff, ES Animators, SSWs, CEFs, CRPs, and Case Workers on ES approaches, tools, and standards.
• Support the contextualization and implementation of ES strategies, guidelines, manuals, and job aids.
• Assess capacity gaps and implement targeted capacity-building and mentoring plans.
• Support ES transition, sustainability, and organizational capacity development.

B. Program Implementation

• Support implementation and scale-up of VSLA, livelihoods, IGA, cash and asset transfers, and business development interventions based on household needs and local market opportunities.
• Support household economic assessments and appropriate ES package selection, prioritizing vulnerable households, including those affected by high viral load, conflict, displacement, and other factors affecting treatment continuity.
• Ensure ES interventions are integrated into services for CALHIV, HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women, and HIV-exposed infants and their mothers, as appropriate.
• Promote financial literacy, savings, business skills, asset building, and sustainable income generation.
• Support market assessments, enterprise identification, and linkages to available economic and nutrition support services.

C. Linkages and Partnerships

• Establish and maintain linkages with health facilities, government social protection and job creation programs, microfinance institutions, banks, private-sector and market actors, and community organizations.
• Facilitate access to loans, financial services, markets, and other economic opportunities.
• Engage relevant government and community structures and participate in coordination, review, transition, and sustainability meetings.

D. Monitoring, Data, and Reporting

• Ensure accurate documentation and reporting of ES activities, including VSLA, cash and asset transfers, through relevant project and government systems.
• Track ES indicators, maintain quality registers and supporting documents, and support milestone and third-party verification.
• Support data reporting through UDS/CommCare, DHIS2, and other project systems.
• Participate in RDQA, supportive supervision, and CQI activities and follow up corrective actions.
• Conduct field supervision and document results, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Prepare timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly ES reports.

Coordination, Compliance, and Safeguarding

• Coordinate with the M&E Specialist, other ES Specialists, and the ISHDO project team to harmonize approaches and share learning across SNUs.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, PSEA, child safeguarding, and organizational policies.
• Support identification and mitigation of program and operational risks, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
• Qualifications and Experience

Education

• MA/BA in Economics, Business Management and Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in economic strengthening, livelihoods, or related programs targeting vulnerable populations.
• At least 2 years of experience in OVC or USG-supported ES programs in an NGO setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of VSLA, livelihoods, cash and asset transfers, market-based approaches, and household financial education.
• Experience working with government, financial institutions, private sector, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Experience with milestone-based/fixed-amount awards and data verification is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Good documentation and knowledge management skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the local language of the SR area (e.g., Afaan Oromo or Amharic).
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with CommCare, DHIS2, or similar digital systems is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel regularly to program sites and SNUs