Project Officer – Emergency

About Us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart. Christian Aid in Ethiopia has three strategic priority areas. These are climate justice, Economic justice, humanitarian/resilience and addressing Gender and social inclusion as a cross cutting priority.

Role Purpose

The post holder is responsible for supporting Christian Aid’s to support Christian Aid’s portfolio of partnerships and projects within a country, particularly in the project area. To support the development of Christian Aid policy and strategy by providing the programme team with partner feedback. To contribute to the representation of Christian Aid at country/regional/local level. Responsible for the capacity-building of partners. To help ensure that project resources and planned project activities are undertaken within budget and time frame which enable impact and direct benefit to target communities.  Works with the country /thematic programme management team to support delivery of projects to the highest standards and in line with the country, divisional and organisational strategy.  To act proactively to engage in any activities that strengthen the country program and takes up additional assignments given from the organization. To act as the interface between participating partners and Christian Aid and/or donors including coordinating feedback, representation in key stakeholder’s meetings and contributing to strengthening of partner relationships. To lead the implementation of the project in the assigned area and ensures that deliverables of the projects are met as per the expectations.  This entails working closely and actively with the implementing partner, Government at Woreda, Zonal and Regional levels, other humanitarian organizations, clusters and community organizations.

Role Context

The post holder will directly manage, and support CA’s and partner’s humanitarian works and externally represent Christian Aid where appropriate. The role is located in the Africa Division of the International Department. The role is line managed by the Senior Program Officer – Humanitarian. In addition, the post holder will provide technical guidance and support to partners and especially ensure that monitoring, evaluation and programme reporting are carried out in accordance with Christian Aid’s quality standards and donor requirements.

Key outcomes

• Project resources and activities delivered within budget and timeframe and projects delivered to the highest standards in line with the country, divisional and organisational strategy through effective support to the programme team.
• Partners’ goals and objectives successfully supported though expediting implementation strategies and plans, capacity building, actively troubleshooting and problem solving, best practice, guidance, reviews, problems solving and good working relationships
• Project impact monitored and evaluated, and project learning shared with key stakeholders though accurate, effective and timely reporting as per donor schedule
• Effective grant management, which includes processes and procedures of services and inputs reporting and communication.
• Good linkages between partner work and advocacy, communication and fundraising roles promoted though effective networking with other parts of Christian Aid.
• Ensure projects are aligned with Christian Aid’s country Programme priorities, Program Quality standards, participate in new project development efforts individually and as a team, and represent Christian Aid in relevant stakeholder deliberations within Ethiopia.
• Effective and efficient administrative systems and procedures, including support in collating and compiling financial reports, in accordance with Christian Aid’s framework, implemented within the office to support staff.
• Deliver key requirements from systems and mechanisms within Christian Aid.  This includes but not limited to, program Agreement, annual reports, developing case stories and updates for CA week and other fund-raising events.
• Other assignments and tasks provided by your Line Manager.

Relationships

External: Liaising with external stakeholders, including the wider humanitarian donors, as sell as government sector offices and NGO operating in the area and other humanitarian actors as deemed necessary

Internal: Liaising with the CA Ethiopia team colleagues as well as technical CA Advisors at regional level.

Decision Making: Works closely with Senior Programme Officer – humanitarian, other country program teams, country program finance and M&E and other teams.  Provides quality systems support to the project.  Identifies where procedures are not followed or where additional support is required and takes appropriate action to rectify the situation. Provides support to partners based on frameworks agreed with country team· Represents Christian Aid and the project with partners, other NGOs, and other agencies. Appraise, monitor and review projects in line with CA and external requirements.

Analytical Skill: Problems or issues need detailed information gathering, investigation and analysis including assessment of benefits and risks of different courses of action.

Initiative and judgment need to be applied regularly in the course of day-to-day work. Expected to make direct contribution to improved performance, whether through own area of work or participation in cross-disciplinary projects.

Fixed Term:  9 months

Location: one for East Hararge and one for West Hararge

Required No_: 2

Applied skills/knowledge and expertise

Essential

• Degree in social science, Humanitarian Work, DRR and EW Development Studies, Project Management
• At least 5 years NGO experience in managing emergency programmes in difficult and challenging locations.
• Strong analytical skills and a good understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation and assessment to promote evidence-based learning.
• Proven experience in leading participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment processes
• Familiarity with program cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation, learning and documentation
• To be well organized and able to learn concepts and complex systems quickly
• Ability to work independently, self-directed, to meet deadlines and ability of working under pressure and with multiple priorities
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build cross cultural relationships remotely across geographic boundaries.
• Experience of working with partners, Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion where appropriate
• To be able to manage and organize information systems and establish and maintain filing systems.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with an international NGO or with an institutional donor
• Experience in complex emergencies and in early warning projects
• Problem solving abilities
• Budget monitoring skills
• IT competency required
• Competency questions
• As part of your application, you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability by giving answers to the following questions:

Build Partnership

Tell us about a time when you had to establish and maintain relationships with a wide range of contacts and networks based on mutual rapport and respect

• What was the context? Why did you need to establish the new relationships and why was your attitude to this important?
• What was your task? What outcomes were being sought?
• What actions did you take? How did you take them?

Communicate Effectively

Give us an example of a time when you communicated something complex in a way that could be easily understood by others

• What was the situation?
• What did you need to communicate effectively?
• How did you make sure the message was understood by others?
• What was the impact? How did you know you were successful?

Deliver Result

Tell us about a time when you planned, prioritised and monitored your own work to meet the team’s objectives to the standards required

• What was your context?
• What was your task/responsibility?
• How did you make your plan? What actions did you take?
• What was the impact of your actions? Were you successful?  How did you know?