Project Coordinator – RISE: Enhancing Employment Inclusion through the Development of Vocational Skills and Inclusive Training-employment Nexus in Ethiopia

1. Background

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization. ECDD committed to promoting the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities through policy advocacy and the mainstreaming of disability inclusion in service delivery, development programs, and humanitarian actions, in partnership with other organizations. Established in 2005, ECDD is dedicated to fostering an inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities in all their diversities exercise their human rights and have access to mainstream services and opportunities on an equal basis with others.

Starting from September 1, 2025, ECDD will launch a new three-year livelihood initiative titled “RISE: Enhancing Employment Inclusion through the Development of Vocational Skills and Inclusive Training-Employment Nexus in Ethiopia.” Funded by AICS and led by CBM Ethiopia as the prime partner. The project aims to strengthen vocational skills development and promote inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia.

Currently, ECDD is looking for a competent and qualified Project Coordinator for the RISE Project:

2. Purpose of the Role

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and implementation of the RISE Project across designated target areas. The primary objective of the role is to ensure that youth with disabilities gain access to sustainable livelihood opportunities through both wage employment and self-employment. This position demands strong technical expertise, effective coordination skills, and robust project management capabilities to drive inclusive outcomes and deliver measurable results.

3. Key Responsibilities

Program Planning and Implementation

• Lead the design and implementation of inclusive livelihood interventions, ensuring accessibility for youths with disabilities across all program components.
• Oversee the establishment of income-generating activities (IGAs) groups.
• Ensure that training curricula, tools, and delivery methods are disability-inclusive and aligned with national frameworks and market needs.
• Integrate life skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship modules tailored to the diverse learning needs of persons with disabilities
• Facilitate accessibility audit and modification at selected TVTs and Community Based Vocation Training (CBVT) centers for disability inclusion and accessibility and sensitize their staff to include youth with disabilities
• Support the establishment/strengthening of Disability Resource Centers (structure, HR, office equipment, & TA) in selected TVT colleges to serve trainees with disabilities
• Engage with enterprises and organizations willing to offer internship, apprenticeship and/or employment opportunities
• Consistently align/comply with donor policies, project results, ECDD Strategic Plan (2025-2030), and relevant National and International Frameworks;
• Undertake such other tasks as may be assigned by the ECDD Program Director and/or Deputy Director

Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Facilitate training for government stakeholders, TVT trainers, and community mobilizers on disability inclusive economic empowerment, disability awareness, and safeguarding.
• Provide ongoing technical support to Implementing Partners to ensure livelihood strategies accommodate youths with various types of disabilities.
• Support peer learning, mentorship, and cooperative development among program participants and facilitators.

Resource and Budget Management

• Ensure efficient use of materials and timely procurement aligned with project plans and donor requirements.
• Monitor project budgets and resource utilization in collaboration with the finance and procurement teams.
• Ensure cost-effective use of materials and timely procurement of tools, equipment, and supplies aligned with project timelines.
• Track asset distribution and usage, particularly for assistive devices and start-up kits.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and relevant government bodies, including the Ministry of Labor and Skills, TVT colleges, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA), Micro and Small Enterprise Offices, and disability-focused institutions.
• Engage with local businesses, cooperatives, and financial institutions to foster disability-inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Facilitate community engagement and mobilization, especially with OPDs, caregivers and families of persons with disabilities.
• Represent the organization in livelihood and disability inclusion forums at regional and national levels.

Protection, Safeguarding, and Inclusion

• Ensure TVT Colleges and CBVTs are safe, protective, and gender sensitive.
• Comply with all relevant ECDD policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: anti-fraud and bribery, Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Code of Conduct, Gender Equality, Data Protection, Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources Management.
• Enforce safeguarding protocols and ethical standards of ECDD, with special attention youth with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, Refer protection concerns and psychosocial needs to appropriate services and support networks.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Develop and implement M&E frameworks to track progress, outcomes, and impact of livelihood interventions, disaggregated by age, gender, and disability.
• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports—developed in collaboration with the Project Officers—for both donor requirements and ECDD internal use
• Conduct regular field monitoring to assess quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of project interventions.
• Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned for donor reporting and internal learning.
• Contribute to knowledge products and advocacy materials that promote disability-inclusive livelihood practices.

4. Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Business Administration, Management, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years managing or coordinating disability inclusive livelihood projects
• Good understanding of national TVT policies and strategies, and extensive knowledge of other organizations active in livelihoods-related work in Ethiopia
• Good knowledge of the practice and profession of special needs education/training
• Excellent interpersonal relationships and teamwork
• Proven commuter skills for effectively using email software and MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Desirable:

• Previous professional work in vocational skills training and disability inclusion
• Competence in the use of computer applications
• Strong writing and reporting skills; fluency in English and local language(s).
• Familiarity with AICS requirements and procedures
• Well-organized in terms of documentation to meet donor compliance/policies, priorities, and requirements.
• Result-based project management skills.

5. Core Competencies

• Commitment to the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and coordination skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability in complex and changing environments.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, adaptability, integrity, and political neutrality.
• Willingness to travel to project target areas
• Good interpersonal skills and emotional maturity to work with relevant stakeholders
• Demonstrated accountability and professional integrity