Project Officers (7 Positions)

Overview

The Step Up to Dignified and Fulfilling Work program, implemented by PSI Ethiopia in partnership with Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO), is designed to empower rural young women in Oromia region to overcome barriers to economic participation. Many face limited access to education, financial services, and markets, alongside restrictive gender norms. The program responds by organizing women into peer learning groups, transitioning them into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and supporting them to launch micro-enterprises with training, mentorship, and market linkages.

Beyond economic empowerment, the program engages families and community leaders to challenge harmful norms and integrates reproductive health planning to ensure informed life and economic decisions. FIDO plays a central role in woreda-level implementation, supervising facilitators and volunteers, and ensuring deep community engagement. By embedding interventions within local structures, the program creates pathways for women to achieve dignified work, financial independence, and leadership in their households and communities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Coordination & Supervision

• Coordinate all project activities within the assigned woreda.
• Supervise social workers and community volunteers, ensuring quality delivery of training, mobilization, and mentoring.
• Provide technical guidance and day-to-day support to woreda-level teams.
• Ensure program activities align with FIDO’s strategic objectives and donor requirements.

2. Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with woreda-level government offices, NGOs, and community leaders.
• Represent FIDO in woreda-level coordination meetings and forums.
• Facilitate structured dialogues with husbands, elders, and influencers to address restrictive gender norms.
• Promote inclusion of marginalized groups (young women with disabilities, refugees).

3. Program Implementation

• Support recruitment of financially disadvantaged young women into peer groups.
• Oversee the transition of Smart Steps groups into VSLAs and later into micro-enterprises.
• Ensure safeguarding, gender sensitivity, and inclusion standards are upheld.
• Facilitate linkages with TVETs, financial institutions, and cooperatives to expand opportunities.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Collect, verify, and compile field-level data for MEL systems.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to assess progress, challenges, and impact.
• Document lessons, success stories, and best practices.
• Prepare timely progress reports for submission to the Regional Manager.

5. Capacity Building & Support

• Mentor volunteers to strengthen facilitation and documentation skills.
• Support training sessions for facilitators, ensuring inclusive approaches for low-literacy learners.

Organization: Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO)

Location: West Arsi (Adaba, Kokosa, Nansebo) and West Hararghe (Habro, Gemechis, Chiro Zuria, Oda Bultum)

Required: 7

Reports to: Project Manager

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Development Studies, Public Health, Economics, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in development project implementation.
• Proven experience coordinating field teams and working with community structures.
• Familiarity with VSLA models, microfinance, or financial inclusion programs.
• Experience in donor-funded projects and reporting requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proficiency in report writing and documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, reporting, and presentations.
• Fluency in the native/local language(s) of the assigned woreda.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and accountability standards.

Attributes

• Integrity, accountability, and transparency.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse communities.
• Commitment to FIDO’s mission of empowering vulnerable young women.