Project Officer

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.

ECDD, in partnership with Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO) and with funding from UN OCHA, is preparing to launch the project titled “Integrated Multi-Sector Lifesaving Humanitarian Assistance for People Affected by Critical Malnutrition and Education Needs in Diga and Kiramu Woredas of East Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.”ECDD will ensure disability-inclusive programming, while FIDO will directly implement the Health, Nutrition, WASH, and Education components of the project. The agriculture component will be implemented by FIDO’s subgrantee, HEKS. ECDD will integrate practical disability-inclusive interventions across all sectors, including capacity building, distribution of assistive devices, and conducting accessibility audits.

The project will uphold the Emergency Humanitarian Fund (EHF) Directive on Cross-Cutting Issues, with a strong emphasis on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Age and Disability Inclusion, and Gender in Humanitarian Action. FIDO also prioritizes cross-cutting issues, demonstrating robust sectoral integration and sensitivity to protection, gender equality, disability inclusion, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), and vulnerability.

 

2. Purpose of the Role

The Project Officer will play a critical role in ensuring that all project interventions, including those implemented by FIDO are disability inclusive. ECDD will lead the integration of practical disability-inclusive strategies across all sectors, including Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, and Agriculture. The Project Officer will provide ongoing technical support on disability inclusion to project partners, ensuring that disability inclusive practices are embedded throughout the implementation process at the grassroots level in Diga Woreda, East Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

 

3. Key Responsibilities

Program Implementation Across Sectors

• Ensure disability-inclusive planning and implementation across all project sectors: Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, and Agriculture.
• Support the identification and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all beneficiary targeting and registration processes.
• Collaborate with FIDO and HEKS to integrate inclusive practices into sector-specific interventions, including health outreach, nutrition screening, hygiene promotion, and agricultural support.
• Facilitate the distribution of assistive devices and ensure their appropriate use across sectors.
• Facilitate accessibility audits of service delivery points (e.g., health posts, TLS, water points, latrines, agricultural training sites) and recommend improvements.
• Promote inclusive messaging and materials in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities.

Education-Specific Responsibilities

• Support the establishment and operationalization of disability-inclusive Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS).
• Identify, enroll, and monitor participation of children with disabilities in education activities.
• Ensure teaching and learning materials are accessible and inclusive.
• Provide guidance on adapting curricula and teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs.
• Promote child-centered, gender-responsive, and inclusive education practices among facilitators and school staff.

Health, Nutrition, and WASH Integration

• Collaborate with health and nutrition teams to ensure outreach and treatment services are accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Advocate for inclusive hygiene promotion campaigns and ensure WASH facilities meet accessibility standards.
• Support inclusive nutrition screening and referral mechanisms, especially for children and caregivers with disabilities.

Agriculture Component

• Work with HEKS to ensure agricultural inputs, training, and livelihood support are accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Promote inclusive agricultural practices and technologies that accommodate diverse physical and cognitive needs.
• Facilitate linkages between persons with disabilities and local agricultural extension services.

Community Mobilization and Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct sensitization sessions to promote inclusion and rights of persons with disabilities across all sectors.
• Mobilize community leaders, caregivers, and service providers to support inclusive participation.
• Strengthen the capacity of local structures (e.g., PTAs, School Improvement Committees, Health Committees) to advocate for disability inclusion.
• Facilitate collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and relevant government offices.

Capacity Building

• Provide technical support and coaching to project partners on disability-inclusive practices.
• Organize and deliver training sessions for sector staff, facilitators, and community workers.
• Share good practices and tools for inclusive service delivery across sectors.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect and analyze disaggregated data (age, gender, disability, location) across all sectors.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor inclusion and quality of services.
• Document lessons learned, challenges, and success stories related to disability inclusion.
• Contribute to internal and donor reports, ensuring visibility of inclusive interventions.

Safeguarding and Protection

• Ensure all activities comply with ECDD’s safeguarding policies and PSEA standards.
• Identify protection risks and facilitate timely referrals to appropriate services.
• Promote safe, protective, and accessible environments across all intervention sites.

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Assist in organizing multi-sectoral training, meetings, and community events.
• Coordinate with ECDD’s procurement and logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of inclusive materials and devices.

Reporting Line

• The Project Officer will report directly to the Project Coordinator and work in close collaboration with FIDO and Woreda level sector offices and community structures.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Education, Special Needs Education, Social Work, Agriculture, Community Development, or a related field relevant to multi-sector humanitarian programming.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in implementing humanitarian or development projects across multiple sectors, with a demonstrated focus on disability inclusion.
• Practical understanding of inclusive service delivery principles and the specific needs of persons with disabilities in health, education, WASH, nutrition, and livelihoods.
• Familiarity with UN-funded projects, preferably those supported by UN OCHA, and understanding of humanitarian standards and cross-cutting issues.
• Proven ability to work in rural and emergency-affected settings, with sensitivity to local vulnerabilities and cultural dynamics.
• Strong skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting, including disaggregated data by age, gender, disability, and location.
• Fluency in Afaan Oromo and local dialects of East Wollega, with excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Experience in inclusive health outreach, nutrition screening, WASH infrastructure, or agricultural livelihoods
• Knowledge of local contexts in Diga Woredas of East Wollega Zone.
• Skills in Ethiopian Sign Language or other accessible communication methods.

5. Core Competencies

• Strong commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities and inclusive education.
• Good facilitation, communication, and community mobilization skills.
• Cultural sensitivity, patience, and adaptability to challenging environments.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Problem-solving and proactive approach to field challenges.