Program Officers (3 Positions)

Position: Program Officer

• Number of required positions: 3
• Category: Program Department
• Report to: Cluster coordinator
• Salary: Competitive salary
• Employment Term: Annual contract, renewable based on available funds

About PETCO Ethiopia

PETCO Ethiopia is a not-for-profit, industry-led Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), incorporated in 2019, advancing circular economy, green development, climate action, inclusive economic growth, blue economy, and sustainable WASH solutions in Ethiopia.

PETCO Ethiopia works to accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient economy by promoting circular design, reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling, responsible resource recovery, and producer responsibility. Through industry-led action and self-regulation, the organization supports businesses and institutions to reduce waste, pollution, greenhouse-gas emissions, and pressure on natural resources while improving resource efficiency and sustainability.

The organization promotes green enterprises, green and decent jobs, innovation, and inclusive livelihoods, with particular attention to women, youth, and marginalized and disadvantaged groups. It also supports the development of blue economy opportunities and sustainable water-resource management, recognizing the critical links between healthy ecosystems, economic development, climate resilience, and community well-being.

PETCO Ethiopia further contributes to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through environmentally sustainable approaches to waste management, sanitation, hygiene, pollution prevention, and resource recovery.

Operating nationally from its head office in Addis Ababa, PETCO Ethiopia works with government, private sector, development partners, civil society, academia, financial institutions, and communities. It provides and facilitates enterprise development, access to finance, technical assistance, skills development, innovation, market linkages, and capacity building, particularly across agro-processing and food, handicrafts, textiles and garments, solid waste and circular manufacturing, and leather value chains.

Through these efforts, PETCO Ethiopia seeks to build an inclusive, green, circular, and climate-resilient economy that creates sustainable economic opportunities, strengthens environmental stewardship, and improves livelihoods across Ethiopia.

Program Background

 PETCO Ethiopia is implementing 5-years of consortium project joint with Center of Accelerated Women Economic Empowerment (CAWEE) and Ethiopia Enterprise Development. The program is funded by the MasterCard Foundation contract to Enable Young Women and Men to Find Dignified and Fulfilling Work in Manufacturing in Ethiopia by capacitating existing SMEs. Currently, we are in the third year of implementing the program. The program aims to:

• Build SME capacity to sustainably create new jobs and improve existing ones through offering tailored business capacity building and mentorship; enhancing access to markets and raw materials flow; and improving SMEs’ human resources capacity to create safe and inclusive working conditions for young women and men.
• Improve Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) offerings to better prepare women and youth to enter the workforce (facilitate school-to-work transition).
• Facilitate a robust financial ecosystem to help SMEs access tailored financial services that allow them to grow and increase employment opportunities for young women, and to invest in infrastructure that can improve young women’s and men’s working conditions.
• Strengthen the enablers (ecosystem) to foster private sector engagement, stakeholder coordination, synergy, and policy development for sustainable and scalable job growth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the project management team and other staff members to organize events, prepare reports, maintain project documentation, and liaise with stakeholders.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities under the EYWM project.
• Supporting project coordination, monitoring, and reporting activities, contributing to the overall success and impact of the project.
• Assist in the development and implementation of project work plans, budgets, and monitoring frameworks, in collaboration with the project management team.
• Provide administrative support for project activities, including scheduling meetings, organizing workshops and events, and making travel arrangements for project staff and partners.
• Prepare and disseminate project-related communications, including newsletters, social media posts, and website updates, to raise awareness and visibility of project achievements and activities.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, including project files, databases, and contact lists, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of project activities, including data collection, entry, and analysis, and contribute to the preparation of regular progress reports for project management and donors.
• Liaise with project stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and community groups, to coordinate project activities and facilitate information sharing and collaboration.
• Contribute to the identification and documentation of project best practices, lessons learned, and success stories, and support knowledge sharing and learning initiatives within the project team and with external stakeholders.
• Assist in conducting periodic project reviews, assessments, and evaluations to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement
• Support effective project management, coordination and provide support to partners on the project implementation procedure, data management and effective financial management.
• Provide support as needed, the preparation and timely submission of detailed reports by the partners on project activities on a quarterly and annual basis in compliance with project requirements.
• Support the development of annual, quarterly donor and government report writing including management and updates.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the program director to support the overall success and impact of the project.

Required skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, business administration, Enterprise development, project management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in program, project development, coordination, and coordinating multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Previous experience in project coordination or administration, preferably in the development sector.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with the capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Amharic or other local languages is desirable.
• Willingness to travel within Ethiopia as required for project activities.
• Demonstrated strength and experience in writing technical reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; fluency in English language is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment.
• Strong computer skills Demonstrated project management experience, including budget development, event planning, coordinating multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Proficient in driving a motorbike and having a driving license is essential.