Project Officer – Strengthening Institutional Disaster Preparedness in Ethiopia

• Internal /External Vacancy Announcement

Job Title: Project Officer – Strengthening Institutional Disaster Preparedness in Ethiopia

Location: Jigjiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia
Duration: 14 months (April 2025 – May 2026)
Reports To: The Regional Branch Programs Manager.

Contract Type: Contract based

Background:

The project “Strengthening Institutional Disaster Preparedness in Ethiopia” aims to enhance the institutional capacities and coordination mechanisms for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Ethiopia, focusing on Anticipatory Action (AA) and Early Response (ER). This project is a collaboration between the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), and Danish Red Cross (DRC), targeting national and regional levels, specifically in Tigray, Somali, and Afar regions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Management & Coordination:

• Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities in collaboration with ERCS, NLRC, DRC, and local stakeholders in Somali region.
• Manage project resources, including budget oversight, to ensure activities are delivered within scope, time, and budget.
• Work closely with the ERCS national level project coordinator and the region branch head to ensure seamless implementation of the planned activities of the project.
• Participate actively in biweekly and monthly meetings to provide timely and accurate progress of the project and other issues of the project.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building:

• Participate actively in regional anticipatory action technical working group meetings to share experiences, present the progress of the project and also learn from others.
• Mobilize technical experts from ERCS headquarters and from the region to support capacity building of ERCS staff and other stakeholders as per the plan of the project.
• Work with the project coordinator to mobilize relevant stakeholders at regional and woreda levels to participate in the ERCS project related activities.

3. Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Participate actively in monitoring and evaluation tasks of the project.
• Meticulously organize visits for ERCS HQ visits and also for the donors.

 Technical Support & Knowledge Management:

• Work with the relevant teams within ERCS to facilitate knowledge exchange and experience-sharing sessions with key stakeholders, promoting best practices and lessons learned.
• Provide trainings where possible for ERCS staff and other stakeholders on topics required in the project.

1. Crisis Modifier Activation:

• Lead staff and volunteers at regional and woreda levels to implement the activities activated through crisis modifiers.

2. Cash preparedness initiatives

• Work closely with the ERCS Cash coordinator and Danish Red Cross project manager to ensure timely implementation of the planned activities of the cash preparedness component of the project.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Degree in Disaster Risk Management, International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in project management within the humanitarian or development sector, with a focus on disaster preparedness and response. Experience working with DG ECHO funded project is an added advantage.

Skills:

• Proven expertise in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and building institutional capacities.
• Strong knowledge of DRM frameworks, Anticipatory Action, and Emergency Operations approaches.
• Experience in managing complex budgets and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Proficiency in data analysis and M&E methodologies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.