Livelihood officer (Agriculture) at Innovative Humanitarian Solutions (IHS), Ethiopia

Background

IHS has been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees in Ethiopia since 2013, working with refugees and displaced people. WASH, Child Protection, protection, education, food security, and livelihood is major areas of focus. The IHS mission for livelihood project is to promote positive economic change for the forcefully displaced people and hosting communities in Aftit refugee site and host community of located in west Gonder, Amhara region.

Job Purpose:

The Livelihood Officer will support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of livelihood programs aimed at improving the economic resilience and self-reliance of refugees and host communities in Metema or Aftit refugee sites. The role focuses on facilitating skills development, income generation, and market-based interventions while ensuring that programs are inclusive, sustainable, and culturally appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Implementation

• Support the development and delivery of livelihood interventions, including vocational training, entrepreneurship, agricultural initiatives, and small business development.
• Conduct community-based assessments and participatory planning sessions to identify livelihood opportunities for refugees and host communities.
• Facilitate access to inputs, tools, and resources needed for successful implementation of livelihood activities.
• Promote the use of climate-smart and sustainable practices in agriculture and other income-generating activities.

2. Community Engagement

• Mobilize and engage refugee and host community members to participate in livelihood activities.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to program participants to improve their technical and business skills.
• Promote the inclusion of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups in livelihood initiatives.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor and track the progress of livelihood activities to ensure alignment with program goals and donor requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of project activities, beneficiaries, and outcomes.
• Prepare and submit timely reports, success stories, and case studies to the Livelihood Coordinator.

4. Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with local government authorities, UNHCR, NGOs, private sector actors, and other partners to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Facilitate linkages between beneficiaries and local markets, financial institutions, and value chain actors.

5. Capacity Building

• Assist in organizing and delivering training sessions on vocational skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
• Provide on-the-job technical support to program beneficiaries and community-based groups.

6. Resource Management

• Ensure proper utilization and management of program resources, including materials, equipment, and budgets.
• Support procurement processes related to livelihood activities in compliance with organizational policies.

Location:

• Metema/Aftit Refugee Site, West Gondar Zone of Amhara region, Ethiopia

Reports To:

• Livelihood Coordinator

Employment Type:

• Full-time/ contract

Required number for the position:

• One

Closing date

• February 26/2025

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agriculture, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in livelihoods specifically on business and entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, or related fields, preferably in humanitarian or development settings.
• Experience working with refugees, displaced populations, or host communities is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in facilitating vocational training, small business development, or market-based interventions.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of market-based programming and livelihoods frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills to engage with diverse community groups.
• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation, including data collection and reporting.
• Basic financial and budget management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Key Competencies:

• Strong understanding of refugee and host community dynamics in Ethiopia.
• Ability to work in challenging field environments while maintaining flexibility and adaptability.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Commitment to inclusivity, gender equity, and sustainable programming.
• Fluency in English and Amharic

Work Conditions:

• Based in Metema or Aftit refugee site, with frequent field visits to project locations.
• May require working in remote and challenging environments

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensuring compliance with IHS`s PSEA, Child safeguarding, Anti-fraud and others policies.
• Ensuring Code of conduct and prevention from sexual exploitation and abuse policies and uphold the highest standards according to her/his area of responsibility.