Program Specialist

Number Required: One (1)
Work Modality: Remote (from Ethiopia or abroad) or in-person at SVO Head Office (Addis Ababa)
Engagement: Full-Time or Part-Time (Applicants must justify their capacity to meet deliverables)
Salary: Negotiable based on qualifications, experience, and previous earnings

Deadline: October 8, 2025

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategically position SVO to compete and collaborate on global platforms with international CSOs, donor agencies, and impact-driven enterprises;
• Strengthen and deepen partnerships with SVO’s valued existing donor partners by designing and implementing strategic approaches that enhance collaboration, increase impact, and foster long-term mutual growth;
• Provide strategic advice to SVO leadership on how to consistently meet and exceed the expectations of its existing donors, ensuring full compliance, transparency, accountability and delivery of high-quality results that honor their trust and investment;
• Initiate, develop, and maintain high-level partnerships with bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, and corporate donors, with a focus on both grants and sustainable business support;
• Lead and coordinate high quality, winning global proposals, concept notes, partnership pitches, and framework agreements;
• Represent SVO in continental and global forums, including strategic dialogues, partnership summits, consortium platforms, and sectoral alliances;
• Identify and unlock opportunities for global social enterprise investment, innovation, and scale-up;
• Develop and implement strategic fundraising campaigns through both traditional donor relations and modern digital communication channels;
• Mentor and empower SVO teams to enhance their global readiness, proposal writing, reporting, and strategic communication skills;
• Collaborate with communication and IT teams to elevate SVO’s brand, digital visibility, and online positioning;
• Advocate for SVO’s mission and influence global discourse on holistic development, charity transformation, and social enterprise impact.

Work Flexibility:

• Applicants may work from anywhere – remotely (national or international/abroad) or from SVO’s Head Office in Ethiopia;
• Both full-time and part-time candidates are encouraged to apply, provided they clearly demonstrate how they will deliver expected key outcomes and meet or exceed performance expectations; and
• Performance-based accountability and regular deliverables will be agreed upon based on work modality.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Master’s Degree or PhD in International Development, Economics, Business Management, Social Enterprise, or related fields;
• Minimum 7 years of proven experience working with global donors, international NGOs, UN agencies, or development finance institutions like Africa Development Bank World Bank, etc.;
• Demonstrated record of successfully raising funds from bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, and corporate social investors;
• Exceptional proposal writing, donor engagement, and strategic lobbying skills with evidences attached to the CV;
• Proven ability to network, negotiate, and build multi-stakeholder partnerships across borders;
• Strong background in digital fundraising, virtual engagement, and global communication tools;
• High-level understanding of global development trends, SDGs, ESG investment, and social entrepreneurship;
• A self-starter with strong organizational skills, integrity, and an entrepreneurial spirit; and
• Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of other international languages is desirable.