Livelihood project Assistant (2 Positions)

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict, and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 and are currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from ethnic minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor

Job Overview:

The IRC is planning to undertake integrated multi-sector approach Health, Livelihood and Cash project funded by Dream German Post focused on food security and sustain recovery for acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in disaster-affected communities in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. This integrated multiyear resilience project will be implemented with a local partner called Positive action for Development (PAD). The project’s goal is to enhance food security and climate resilience in crisis -affected households and communities, aiming to achieve three main outcome areas: (a) Ensuring that children under 5 and pregnant lactating women access timely and effective treatment and sustain recovery for acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. (b) Children under 5 and pregnant lactating women achieve an optimal dietary intake; (c) Increased demand for and consumption for safe nutritious foods and services.
The Livelihood Assistance is based in Meiso town with frequent travel to the project implementation kebele/area.

The incumbent reports to the Livelihood project Officer on day-to-day project management and implementation. He/She will provide implementation support, technical and project support to target beneficiaries in the whole project cycle implementation. The post holder will support and strengthen the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project in Meiso woreda targeted Kebele. He/She will collaborate closely with other project staff within IRC and among partner agencies, government, private sector, and community groups.

The position Holder will ensure successful support for livelihoods programming which includes implement comprehensive interventions that Establish and Support 20 kitchen gardening groups benefiting 400 women , establish a dairy goat revolving scheme throughout the project area Promote poultry production through on-farm demonstrations for women with under five children and cured cases of malnutrition , Engage community in Community Based Acute malnutrition Management (train care givers on early detection and management at community level, and Digitalize and synchronize information with national data base system

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary Statement of Responsibilities: –

• Report to Livelihood project Officer based at Meiso Wereda.
• Prepare detailed implementation plans for the project activities, timelines, resource requirements.
• Carried out and guided the implementation of planned project activities and jointly with government line offices, and the community, ensuring alignment with the proposal,
• Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), IRC strategies, and donor requirements to maintain technical quality and effectiveness.
• Prepare and share monthly and weekly work plans/tasks based on the approved project work plans.
• Ensure that considerations such as gender, protection, safeguarding, accountability, environment, are integrated into the implementation, and monitoring of the programs.
• Identify and engage with key collaborators at Wereda and Kebele level, including local government offices, CBOs, cooperatives, private sector financial service providers, and other partners, to ensure effective coordination.
• Facilitate the active participation and engagement of local communities and target groups during the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the program.
• Carried out and work closely with Kebele level Stakeholder to establish and support the development of home kitchen gardens through seeds and tools (in-kind modality),training, linkage with finance/VSLA with a focus on households experiencing malnutrition in the woreda of interventions
• Conduct tool distribution for targeted women in Meiso Wereda targeted Kebele level with IRC standard template.
• Establish a dairy goat revolving scheme throughout the project area and provide training on improved production techniques.
• Promote poultry production through on-farm demonstrations for women with under five children and cured cases of malnutrition
• Engage community in Community Based Acute Malnutrition Management (train care givers on early detection and management at community level
• Support the LHO in Developing and implement strategy of SBCC for change risky behaviors of both target clients and influencers regarding best child feeding practices, fighting restrictive norms, gender discriminatory practices regarding child feeding practices

Project Monitoring and Reporting: –

• Prepare relevant activity reports as agreed upon schedules (monthly, quarterly, and/or annually) on activities, indicators, and achievements.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance, and HR staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures, including active participation in procurement, supply chain, grant, and other meetings.
• Together with the project Officer and Accountability and Learning officers, develop and implement a full monitoring and evaluation framework for livelihoods activities as well as learning strategies, and adapt them to the different program methodologies.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: –

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/ Harar office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Educational Requirements:

• BSc Degree /Diploma in Agricultural Economics, General Agriculture, and/or related agricultural field of study or certification.
• Minimum work experience of 0 years for BSC Degree holders, 2 years for Diploma holders

Preferred experience & skills:

• NGO experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian response, with specific experience in livelihoods and Food security and agricultural development approaches.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties
• Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct data collection.

Skilled required: –

• Ability of basic computer skills mainly, MS word, Excel, internet etc.
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
• Flexible and able to handle pressure well, has a strong sense of humor.

Language Skills:

• English, language speaking and writing capability are mandatory plus local Language is advantageous