Project coordinator

Project location: Aw-Bare, Gursum (SM), Afdem & Shinile Woredas of Somali region & Biyoawale, Wahil and Legehare Woredas of Dire Dawa city administration

Deadline for submission of CV and application letter: November 14, 2025

Organizational Description

The Organization for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) is a nationally registered humanitarian and development organization established in December 1999, serving communities across Ethiopia. OWDA is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly pastoral and agro-pastoral communities affected by drought, conflict, and other shocks. Its mission is to strengthen the resilience of at-risk populations, including women, children, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, by supporting recovery and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Over the years, OWDA has become one of the most active and trusted local organizations in Ethiopia, implementing more than 25 humanitarian and development projects across key sectors such as livelihood and food security, health and nutrition, WASH, education, protection, emergency shelter, reproductive health and other thematic sectors. Through strong partnerships with UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and government stakeholders, OWDA continues to deliver integrated, community-driven, and sustainable interventions that address both immediate needs and long-term development goals.

In collaboration with Jhpiego, the lead implementing partner, OWDA is rolling out the Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) Project a one-year, multi-regional initiative aimed at strengthening maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCHN), improving infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, and enhancing health security across Ethiopia. The project adopts a geographic clustering model to ensure efficient and context-responsive implementation across pastoralist, agrarian, and semi-urban woredas.

OWDA will be implementing the project in selected woredas across Somali region and Dire Dawa City Administration. The specific woredas include Aw-Bare, Gursum (SM), Afdem & Shinile Woredas of Somali region and Biyoawale, Wahil and Legehare Woredas of Dire Dawa city administration.

To support this effort, OWDA is seeking qualified candidates for the position of project coordinator, to be stationed at Jigjiga or Dire-Dawa. The project coordinator will work closely with cluster-based technical teams located in Jigjiga town, contributing to the implementation of planned activities under a unified team-management approach.

Position summary

The Project Coordinator will be the lead technical and operational focal point for the RISE Project within the Jigjiga Cluster. The Project Coordinator will oversee all woreda-level implementation across the seven target woredas, providing leadership, coordination, supervision, and quality assurance. The Coordinator will ensure that project objectives are achieved within the set timeframe, budget, and quality standards in alignment with Jhpiego’s and OWDA’s policies and donor requirements. The position involves close collaboration with Woreda MNCH Officers and Woreda Facilitation Officers, providing them with direct technical and managerial guidance. The Coordinator will also serve as OWDA’s primary liaison with Jhpiego cluster technical experts, woreda health offices, and regional health bureaus to facilitate smooth coordination, learning, and reporting.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Project Management and Coordination

• Lead the overall planning, coordination, and execution of all RISE project activities across the seven target woredas.
• Supervise and support Woreda MNCH Officers and Woreda Facilitation Officers to ensure that activities are implemented effectively and on schedule.
• Develop and monitor detailed implementation plans (DIP), work schedules, and resource plans to ensure progress toward objectives.
• Coordinate with Jhpiego’s cluster and national teams to align field implementation with technical guidance and donor standards.
• Organize regular coordination meetings with woreda health offices, regional authorities, and project staff to review progress, challenges, and next steps.

2. Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Provide technical guidance to woreda-based staff on MNCH-N, IPC, and PHEM components, ensuring integration and alignment with national health strategies.
• Conduct supportive supervision visits to health centers and health posts to assess quality of care, identify gaps, and provide feedback for improvement.
• Ensure adherence to infection prevention standards, data-quality protocols, and service-delivery guidelines across all project sites.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and peer learning among staff and health facilities to maintain consistency in service delivery and reporting.

3. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong working relationships with Jhpiego, regional and woreda health offices, and other implementing partners within the Jigjiga Cluster.
• Represent OWDA in coordination meetings, workshops, and joint field assessments.
• Support joint planning and harmonization of interventions with local government and partners to avoid duplication and promote synergy.
• Ensure timely communication and collaboration between OWDA’s regional office, the cluster coordination office, and Jhpiego’s project management unit.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Oversee data collection, verification, and reporting processes for all project indicators in coordination with the OWDA MEAL team.
• Review and consolidate reports from woreda staff before submission to Jhpiego and OWDA HQ.
• Facilitate monthly and quarterly performance review meetings, pause-and-reflect sessions, and after-action reviews.
• Ensure documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, success stories, and best practices from the field.

5. Financial and Logistical Oversight

• Work with OWDA’s finance and logistics units to ensure timely disbursement of project funds and resources to woredas.
• Monitor budget utilization to ensure spending aligns with approved plans and donor compliance standards.
• Oversee the timely procurement and distribution of equipment, supplies, and training materials to project sites.
• Participate in periodic budget reviews and forecasting exercises.

6. Staff Supervision and Capacity Building

• Directly supervise and provide continuous mentorship to Woreda MNCH Officers and Woreda Facilitation Officers in the seven woredas.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and identify professional-development opportunities for staff.
• Facilitate orientation sessions and training workshops to strengthen staff capacity in project implementation, data management, and coordination.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and staff well-being across the project sites.

7. Reporting and Communication

• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and final project progress reports highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of financial and narrative reports to Jhpiego and OWDA HQ.
• Maintain transparent communication with project stakeholders and ensure that all documentation is well-organized and easily accessible.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Educational Background: Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Systems Management, Nursing, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in public-health program management, including at least 3 years in a coordination or supervisory role overseeing multi-woreda or regional health projects.
• Technical Competence: Strong technical understanding of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH-N), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM).
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage budgets, develop work plans, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations.
• Leadership and Teamwork: Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with experience mentoring staff and facilitating collaboration between government and NGO partners.
• MEL and Reporting Skills: Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and present program data, and to write clear, concise reports for donors and stakeholders.
• Communication: Strong written and spoken English skills, with proficiency in Somali and/or Afan Oromo considered an asset.
• Field Readiness: Willingness to travel frequently to remote woredas using motorbike or vehicle as needed.
• Mobility: Valid motorbike driving license is required or preferred.

Supervisory Relationship

• The Project Coordinator reports directly to the Health Sector coordinator (OWDA) and works in close collaboration with Jhpiego’s Cluster Technical Coordinator.
• The Woreda MNCH Officers and Woreda Facilitation Officers report directly to the Project Coordinator.