Project officer -Youth Skill Development and Job Creation

Number: 1 (one)
Duty Station: Debre Birhan
Reporting to: Area Program Manager (East Amhara Program Coordination Office)
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract Term: One-year contract with possible exertion based on performance
Salary, as per the organization’s salary scale

Brief description of the organization:

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a nationally registered, women-led civil society organization operating in Ethiopia. Since our establishment in 2007, we have been working at the critical intersection of humanitarian response, sustainable development, and peacebuilding. Our approach is fundamentally rooted in the belief that sustainable development must be holistic, addressing not just immediate symptoms but the root causes of vulnerability and inequality. To date, we have reached more than 1.6 million people across five regions of Ethiopia: Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, and Benishangul-Gumuz. Nearly 60 percent of those reached are women and girls, reflecting our unwavering commitment to gender equity and women’s empowerment.

The organization focuses on six thematic areas: Early Childhood Development, Women and Girls’ Empowerment, Quality Education Development, Youth Skills Development and Job Creation, Environmental Protection and Renewable Energy, and Humanitarian Response and Recovery.

Job Summary

The organization seeks a highly qualified Project Officer for the ‘Tesfa Innovative Youth Skills Development and Employment Project.’ This initiative currently operates in Debre Birhan City and Shewa Robit (Amhara Regional State), as well as Sheno (Oromia Regional State).

The project aims to combat youth unemployment by facilitating vocational and life skills training, ultimately connecting participants with gainful employment opportunities to foster self-sufficiency.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of youth skill development and job creation activities within the target areas. The role provides both programmatic and administrative support through the following duties:

• Training Development: Support the design and implementation of vocational, entrepreneurship, and life skills training manuals.
• Strategy Development: Create mechanisms and strategies to mobilize youth and integrate entrepreneurship skills into their career paths.
• Standard Compliance: Ensure all technical and vocational training activities follow national quality standards and organizational guidelines.
• Financial Inclusion: Build partnerships with financial institutions to facilitate youth access to credit and startup capital.
• Government Liaison: Review government youth policies and strategies to ensure project alignment; work closely with government sectors to organize graduates into cooperatives or enterprises.
• Inter-Agency Networking: Represent the organization in relevant youth-focused platforms, forums, and networks with like-minded organizations.
• Collaboration: Support beneficiary selection in coordination with District Technical and Vocational Development offices.
• Market Integration: Identify local business opportunities and link trained youth with gainful employment in collaboration with relevant government offices.
• Enterprise Coaching: Coach youth cooperatives on performance and document their progress.
• Innovation: Develop and encourage innovative solutions to address modern youth unemployment challenges.
• Proposal Review: Assess and make recommendations on proposals submitted for youth initiative support.
• Quality Control: Monitor and evaluate the relevance and quality of vocational training provided by TVET colleges.
• Reporting: Prepare detailed quarterly, biannual, and annual narrative reports, including project updates and success stories/case studies.
• Planning: Produce and submit detailed quarterly procurement plans aligned with the annual project budget.
• Cross-Cutting Issues: Actively promote gender equality and social inclusion throughout all stages of project implementation.

Core Expertise: Extensive experience in youth employment programming, including:

• Facilitating job linkages and matching services.
  • Coordinating internships and apprenticeships.
  • Promoting youth entrepreneurship and startup initiatives.
• Policy Awareness: A deep understanding of the National Youth Policy and employability frameworks within Ethiopia.
• Institutional Knowledge: Practical experience working with TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions and youth development structures.
• Reporting: Strong ability to document project success stories, lessons learned, and high-quality narrative reports.
• Previous experience working within an International or Local NGO environment.
• Proven experience in gender-sensitive programming and youth mobilization.

Skills and Competencies

• Linguistic Proficiency: Fluency in Amharic and English (both written and spoken) is required.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with youth, government officials, and community leaders.
• Market Systems: A solid understanding of Enterprise Development, value chain analysis, and market-based solutions for youth unemployment.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to identify implementation bottlenecks and develop creative, results-oriented solutions.
• Financial Oversight: Proven experience in budget development and a strong grasp of basic financial management principles.
• Partnership Building: Strong networking skills with the ability to maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders and partner organizations.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and maintain a high level of professional integrity.
• Software Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite, including:
  • Word: For high-quality reporting and manual development.
  • Excel: For data tracking and budget monitoring.
  • PowerPoint & Publisher: For creating impactful presentations and project promotional materials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Development Studies, Social Work, Vocational Training, Business Administration, Agriculture or related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Professional certifications in project management, entrepreneurship development, or vocational training is desirable.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in youth development, vocational training, or employment programs. NGO experience is an advantages