Project Officer | Hawassa

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 competent and qualified Project officer for RISE Project:

2. Purpose of the Role

The Project Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation of the RISE Project in the Tigray region. 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 implementation of inclusive livelihood interventions, ensuring accessibility for youths with disabilities across all program components in Sidama Region
• Facilitate the establishment of income-generating activities (IGAs) groups.
• Ensure that training curricula, tools, and delivery methods of short-term skills training are disability-inclusive and aligned with national frameworks and regional market needs.
• Facilitate the provision of life skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training that are tailored to diverse learning needs of persons with disabilities in the Sidama region
• Facilitate accessibility audit and modification at selected TVETs and Community Based Training (CBT) 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 TVET college to serve trainees with disabilities
• Ensure the provision of disability inclusive quality and market-oriented skill-based training by TVETs and CBTs
• Engage with enterprises and organizations willing to offer internship, apprenticeship and/or employment opportunities
• Undertake such other tasks as may be assigned by the Project coordinator and ECDD program director and/or deputy program director

Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Facilitate training for government stakeholders, TVT trainers, employers, financial institutions, and community mobilizers on disability inclusive economic empowerment, disability awareness, and safeguarding in the region.
• Provide ongoing technical support to Implementing Partners in the Sidama region to ensure livelihood strategies accommodate youths with various types of disabilities.

Resource and Budget Management

• Ensure efficient and timely procurement of start-up materials, assistive devices and other supplies in alignment with project plans and donor requirements.
• Properly utilize project budgets and resources in accordance with ECDD’s internal policy and donor requirements.
• Facilitate 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 in the region including the Bureau of Labor and Skills, TVET colleges, Bureau of women and Social Affairs (BoWSA), Micro and Small Enterprise offices, and disability-focused institutions.
• Engage with local businesses, cooperatives, and financial institutions to foster inclusive loan, 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 level.

Protection, Safeguarding, and Inclusion

• Ensure TVET Colleges and CBTs are safe, protective, and gender sensitive.
• Promote safeguarding protocols and ethical standards, with special attention to vulnerable groups including youth with disabilities.
• Refer protection concerns and psychosocial needs to appropriate services and support networks.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Implement M&E frameworks to track progress, outcomes, and impact of livelihood interventions, supported by data disaggregated by age, gender, and disability
• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and quarterly regional project activity reports
• Conduct regular field monitoring to assess quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of project interventions in the region
• Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned for donor reporting and internal learning in coordination with the project coordinator and M & E team
• Contribute to knowledge products and advocacy materials that promote inclusive livelihood practices.

Essential:

• Master’s degree in social work, Sociology, Business Administration, Management or related field.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years working on disability inclusive livelihood projects
• Strong field level project execution and management experience
• Basic communication skills in Amharic, and strong proficiency in both written and spoken English.
• Good understanding of national TVET 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
• Skills in Ethiopian Sign Language or other accessible communication methods.
• Familiarity with AICS requirements and procedures
• Well-organized in terms of documentation to meet donor compliance/policies, priorities, and requirements.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities.
• 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