Project Regional Coordinator at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ethiopia

Project for Resilient Reconstruction of Conflict-Affected Communities in the Northern Ethiopia

This Project, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to contribute to promoting inclusive and rapid recovery in the conflict-affected areas of Northern Ethiopia, based on the government’s recovery and development plans and strategies. It will validate and present a recovery and development approach by implementing recovery and development pilot activities in education and livelihood improvement sectors that address community recovery needs, promoting effective use of internal and external resources, and strengthening the capacity of federal, regional, and woreda governments/offices.

The Project will be implemented in Afar region for one and half years (March 2026 – October 2027): The pilot activities are currently being planned and will be implemented in Afar to examine the basic model of the recovery and development approach. Following that, the Project will finalize the recovery and development approach based on the verification results and lessons learned from the pilot activity.

The pilot activity of livelihood improvement is expected not only to provide economic stability through a return to economic activities but also to support people’s return to society (a sense of belonging) and improve their self-esteem and self-confidence through economic activities. The Field School (FS) method of participatory training, which leads to increased production, improvements, and other livelihood practices, and allows participants to learn independently, will be incorporated. Three activities are currently proposed:

1. Natural Resource and Forestry Recovery

2. Agropastoral and Pastoral Production and Marketing Improvement

3. Women’s Group Activity for Livelihood improvement

The pilot activity in education is expected not only to restore educational opportunities and educational environment, but also to help people have a sense of belonging and improve their self-esteem and self-confidence through psychosocial support and encouragement of community collaboration.

 

Core activities to be implemented in all target schools are:

• Strengthening the functioning of existing Parent-teacher-Student Associations (PTSAs)
• Back-to-School campaign
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for teachers (MHPSS)
• Optional sub-activities will also be implemented according to the needs of target schools.
• Improving teaching and learning environment (minor repair and procurement)
• Implementing school-based activities
• School-based trauma informed care system

Job Summary

The Project Regional Coordinator will support planning and implementation of the pilot activities in livelihood improvement and education under the direct supervision of the Project Team. S/he will manage and coordinate the project activities, monitor the progress against plans and report against agreed schedules. S/he will ensure the Project receives technical and operational support to ensure quality programming and intended impact.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the Project and pilot activities are executed following the Project policies, approaches, procedures of the Project Team, and the detailed plan which is formulated by April 2026
• Communicate closely with the Project staff at the woreda level, on the phone and in person in the target pilot activities’ area, undertake periodic monitoring to follow up on the status of the pilot activities, and support JICA experts and the Project counterparts in the timely identification of implementation challenges and their resolutions with appropriate strategies
• Submit periodical reports to the Project Team on progress and implementation of the pilot activity, and prepare and maintain up-to-date information on the Project activities and each target communities and schools
• Support the training in efforts to fully involve the key stakeholders, especially woreda and regional government, and support the Project staff at the woreda level to implement training and other activities smoothly at the community and school levels
• Ensure productive relationships are established and maintained with the target DAs, schools, woreda offices, regional bureaus and other relevant government institutions
• Support the Project Team in efforts to fully involve the key stakeholders, especially school headteacher, teachers, parents, students and community members and provide overall technical support
• Coordinate and conduct the related assessment/surveys in the Project target areas
• Collect basic information, best practices, case studies and lessons and reports to the Project Team
• Assist the project team in the preparation of Project reports and documents per JICA and/or IC Net reporting schedules and formats
• Support communication with other partners and NGOs/CSOs to share Project progress and challenges and make necessary coordination

 

Location type: On site (Semera City, Afar, with field trips to the western area)

Deadline: March 2nd, 2026

Career level: Middle level (5-8 years)

Employment type: Contract

Number of people required: 1

Work experience: at least 5 years

Duration of work: 1 year (after probation period) with possible extension up to 1.5 years

Qualifications Required:

• Knowledge of the local socio-cultural context of Afar
• Proficiency in verbal and written English/Afar
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management and coordination in Afar, preferably in recovery & rehabilitation, community development, livelihood, education or gender
• At least a bachelor’s degree in community development, livelihood, education and related field of study
• Good interpersonal communication skills and ability to effectively liaise with government, community, and other stakeholders
• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation and report writing
• Proficiency in standard MS office
• Proficiency in budget planning and management
• Understanding of the importance of gender, youth, and social inclusion

Desired:

• A master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields is highly evaluated
• Working experiences in implementing relevant program/project supported by development partners and NGOs/CSOs in Afar
• Skills in organizing and facilitating training programs