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 “Life-saving integrated humanitarian assistance to address the most critical needs of returning IDPS and affected host communities in Kiremu Woreda, East Wollega Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.”ECDD will ensure disability-inclusive programming including th provision of MPCA, while FIDO will directly implement the Health, Agriculture, NFI, and WASH components of the project. ECDD will integrate practical disability-inclusive interventions across all sectors, including capacity building, distribution of assistive devices, MPCA, and conducting accessibility audit and modifications.

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, Agriculture, NFI, and WASH. 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 Kiremu Woreda, East Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

3. Key Responsibilities

Program Implementation Across Sectors

• Facilitate the provision of MPCA and the distribution of assistive devices and disability-related medical supplies to persons with disabilities and their families.
• Oversee house-to-house verification of MPCA beneficiaries and conduct post-distribution monitoring to ensure support reaches vulnerable households, including persons with disabilities.
• Ensure disability-inclusive planning and implementation across all project sectors: Health, NFI, WASH, Education, and Agriculture.
• Support the identification and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all beneficiary targeting and registration processes.
• Collaborate with FIDO and other partners 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.
• Conduct accessibility audits of health facilities and coordinate necessary modifications to enhance inclusive service delivery for persons with disabilities.

MPCA Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct house-to-house verification to ensure that vulnerable households, including persons with disabilities, are accurately targeted for MPCA support.
• Oversee and facilitate the provision of MPCA to eligible households, ensuring timely and transparent distribution.
• Carry out monitoring activities after cash assistance is delivered to assess its effectiveness, identify challenges, and gather feedback from beneficiaries.
• Document all MPCA processes, prepare reports on distribution and monitoring outcomes, and ensure accountability to both beneficiaries and donors.

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 partners 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., 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. W

4. 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 MPCA, 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 MPCA, health outreach, nutrition screening, WASH infrastructure, or agricultural livelihoods
• Knowledge of local contexts in Kiremu 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.

6. 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.