Income Generation Activity Officer

BACKGROUND

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is a national non-governmental organization working to promote the inclusion, rights, and equal participation of persons with disabilities across Ethiopia.

Under the RISE Project which aim Enhancing employment inclusion through vocational skills development and inclusive training-to-employment pathways in Ethiopia, ECDD works in partnership with international and local organizations to strengthen vocational training, wage employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

One of the core components of RISE Project focuses on Income Generating Activities (IGAs). This initiative supports vulnerable groups and entrepreneurs with disabilities in establishing group enterprises and individual micro-businesses through entrepreneurship training, startup kits, seed savings, and financial support mechanisms.

PURPOSE OF POSITION 

The Income Generating Activity (IGA) Officer plays a crucial operational role in empowering youth with disabilities who have completed vocational and skill training programs. Reporting directly to the Disability Inclusive Business Incubation Center Manager and the RISE Project Coordinator, the IGA Officer provides hands-on, end-to-end support to project beneficiaries as they transition into sustainable self-employment. This position facilitates business model development, startup kit distribution, financial inclusion, market linkage, and ongoing business advisement—ensuring that all interventions are fully accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the unique capabilities of youths with disabilities operating individually or in groups.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise Setup & Training Coordination

• Organize, coordinate, and facilitate tailored entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and basic business management training for youth with disabilities who have completed vocational skill training.
• Assess the practical business needs and accessibility requirements of beneficiaries to ensure training materials, venues, and methodologies are fully inclusive and accommodated.
• Assist beneficiaries—whether operating individually or forming self-help group/cooperative structures—in selecting viable business ideas based on local market assessments and individual skill sets.
• Support youth in drafting simple, practical business plans, cost estimates, and risk management strategies prior to enterprise launch.

Procurement & Startup Support

• Facilitate the identification, specification, procurement, and distribution of business startup kits, tools, and raw materials according to project plans and donor standards.
• Conduct joint physical verifications and quality checks of startup equipment to ensure items meet safety, accessibility, and functional standards.
• Maintain complete and transparent asset hand-over records and distribution logs signed by beneficiaries and relevant local stakeholders.

Financial Inclusion & Administrative Facilitation

• Guide and support beneficiary groups in establishing group savings accounts, drafting internal group bylaws, and setting up administrative structures.
• Assist beneficiaries in navigating administrative requirements, local government registration, business licensing, and legal agreements needed to launch their enterprises.
• Promote savings culture and financial discipline among beneficiary groups through regular follow-ups and advisory support.

Institution & Market Linkages

• Connect enterprise groups and individual entrepreneurs with local Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), SACCOs, and revolving soft-loan funds to access startup or expansion capital.
• Map local market opportunities, buyers, suppliers, and value chains to link beneficiary enterprises with reliable commercial networks and local business associations.
• Facilitate linkages with local government technical agencies (e.g., Job Creation & Enterprise Development Offices) to secure dedicated working spaces, market display centers, and institutional support.

Technical Mentorship & Business Coaching

• Provide continuous, personalized on-site business coaching, technical guidance, and problem-solving support to individual and group enterprises.
• Help beneficiaries maintain accurate basic financial records, track daily revenues/expenses, and manage inventory effectively.
• Work with the Disability Inclusive Business Incubation Center Manager to introduce innovative business strategies, digital tools, and accessible technologies to enhance business viability.

Inclusive Program Implementation & Safeguarding

• Ensure that all IGA interventions strictly adhere to ECDD’s disability inclusion principles, reasonable accommodation standards, and safeguarding guidelines.
• Advocate for inclusive business practices within local business communities and address social or physical barriers affecting youth entrepreneurs with disabilities.
• Coordinate closely with community leaders, disability organizations, and local administration to foster a supportive local environment for beneficiaries.

Field Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Conduct routine field visits and tracking of beneficiary enterprises to evaluate business progress, cash flows, operational challenges, and sustainability.
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data, success stories, and case studies highlighting the impact of IGA support on the livelihoods of youth with disabilities.
• Prepare and submit regular (weekly, monthly, quarterly) operational performance reports to the Incubation Center Manager and RISE Project Coordinator.
• Document key lessons learned, challenges, and best practices to inform ongoing project adjustments and future inclusion strategies.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Fully Functional Beneficiary Enterprises: Establishment and operationalization of target youth-led IGAs (individual or group-based), equipped with valid business ideas, functional tools, and accessible workspaces.
• Distributed & Verified Startup Kits: Timely procurement, verification, and formal handover of tailored, accessible business startup kits and tools with signed inventory records.
• Formalized Group & Administrative Structures: Legal registration, group bylaws, bank account setup, and signed administrative agreements for all beneficiary group enterprises.
• Active Institutional Linkages: Operational partnerships with local Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), SACCOs, Job Creation/Enterprise Development Offices, and local market buyers.
• Tailored Training & Mentorship Execution: Contextualized, accessible entrepreneurship training modules delivered, backed by routine on-site coaching and business advisement schedules.
• Systematic Field Monitoring & Reporting: Weekly, monthly, and quarterly field tracking reports, case studies, and business progress data delivered to the Incubation Center Manager and RISE Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, or a related business field.
• Experience:  Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in small business development, community livelihoods, or micro-enterprise management.
• Technical Skills:  Proven understanding of Business plan development, enterprise procurement, microfinance operations, and inclusive livelihood approaches.
• Disability Inclusion Expertise: Demonstrated experience working with persons with disabilities and a strong understanding of disability inclusion, accessibility, and reasonable accommodation principles
• Core Competencies:  Excellent facilitation, communication, and reporting skills.
• Language:  Fluency in English and local working languages.