Livelihood Zonal Officer

Background of ERCS

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) Oromia Regional Branch invites qualified applicants for the following vacant position. ERCS has been operating in Ethiopia since July 8, 1935, working in humanitarian and development interventions. It is an auxiliary to the government, working with partners such as IFRC, ICRC, and various National Societies.

Position Details

• Job Title: Livelihood Zonal Officer
• Project: ERCS-Swedish RC Migration Project
• Work Unit: Zonal Branch
• Reports to: Zonal Branch head/ Program Manager
• Place of Work: Oromia Region: Jimma Zonal Branch
• Salary: Branch Scale
• Terms of Employment: 12 months with the possibility of an extension
• Number of required:- 1 (One) for Jimma Zone

Job Summary

The Livelihood Zonal Officer will lead the implementation of livelihood recovery and economic resilience interventions under the ERCS–Swedish Red Cross Migration Project funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The position aims to support vulnerable returnees and host community members in restoring sustainable income sources, improving self-reliance, and strengthening household resilience in Jimma Zone of Oromia Region.

Many returnees return to their communities with limited assets, disrupted livelihoods, unemployment, psychosocial stress, and reduced economic opportunities, making reintegration challenging. Host communities are also affected by economic pressure, climate-related shocks, limited livelihood opportunities, and increased competition over scarce resources. In response, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), through its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Department and community-based humanitarian approach, implements integrated livelihood and resilience-building interventions aimed at promoting economic recovery, social cohesion, and sustainable reintegration.

The project supports vulnerable households through livelihood restoration activities, vocational skills training, small business support, income-generating activities, market linkage, community resilience initiatives, and climate-smart approaches to improve coping capacities and reduce vulnerability.

The Livelihood Zonal Officer will coordinate livelihood assessments, beneficiary targeting, implementation and monitoring of livelihood interventions, and collaboration with local authorities, communities, TVET institutions, and ERCS structures to ensure effective and quality project implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of livelihood recovery and economic resilience activities in target areas.
• Conduct market assessments, livelihood assessments, and beneficiary vulnerability assessments.
• Support transparent identification, targeting, and selection of vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Facilitate vocational skills training, business skills development, and income-generating activities for returnees and host communities.
• Support establishment and strengthening of small businesses and community livelihood groups.
• Promote climate-smart and resilience-focused livelihood approaches where appropriate.
• Monitor the progress, effectiveness, and sustainability of livelihood interventions.
• Coordinate with government offices, TVET institutions, financial service providers, and local stakeholders.
• Prepare work plans, activity reports, success stories, and project documentation.
• Ensure accountability, inclusion, gender sensitivity, and community participation throughout implementation.
• Support integration of protection, social cohesion, and resilience approaches within livelihood interventions.
• Ensure proper utilization and documentation of project resources in line with ERCS and donor requirements.

Language

• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Fluency in Amharic (spoken and written).
• Knowledge of local languages relevant to the project implementation areas is an added advantage.

Education

• BA/BSc or Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Economics, Agriculture, Rural Development, Business Administration, Socio-Economic Development, Disaster Risk Management, or other related fields of study.

Experience and Knowledge

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in livelihood programming, economic recovery, resilience-building, or climate change adaptation interventions.
• Experience working with humanitarian or development organizations is an advantage.
• Knowledge of community-based livelihood approaches and vulnerable group targeting.
• Experience in market systems, vocational training, small business support, or income-generating activities is desirable.
• Understanding of migration, returnee reintegration, and community resilience programming is an added advantage.
• Good report writing, coordination, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with communities, volunteers, government stakeholders, and partners.