Categories: Vacancies, June 2026

Senior Project Officer – Agriculture Production

Location: Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Organization: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Deadline: 17 Jan 2025

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Project Officer – Agriculture Production

Department: Program/RFSA

Band: 8

Reports To: Technical Advisor II – Agriculture Production and Marketing

Country/Location: Ethiopia/Dire Dawa

Number required: One

Term of employment: Definite term (September 30, 2026)

Duty Location: CRS/Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Job Summary:

As a member of the Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)/Ifaa project team, you will provide coaching and monitoring support to implementing partner staffs including front line staffs; tracking and report project performance and implementation issues with a focus on RFSA/Ifaa in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards.

The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to enhance food security of vulnerable households in targeted PSNP communities, contributing to a sustained reduction in rural poverty in Oromia. Your service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of project participants.

Job Responsibilities:

Coordination and implementation of RFSA agriculture (Crop and Livestock) production activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
Technically lead RFSA’s Lead Farmers/Lead Herders extension approach to promote Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices and community-based seed multiplication groups (CBSMG) establishment and functionality.
Ensure coaching and mentoring of Ifaa frontline staff for proper implementation of annual detailed implementation plan.
Provide technical guides on agriculture (Crop and Livestock) production and productivity.
Ensure accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
Coordinate development of training curricula on crop & Livestock production and management techniques, crop & livestock business, and marketing skills. Ensure development of capacity building training modules/curricula to support partners in good agricultural practices (Climate Smart Agriculture) using LF/LH approach; crop production and postharvest management; and CBSMGs.
Coordinate crop and livestock situation updates, compile, analysis and share to the wider team.
Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
Represent CRS/Ifaa at local level workshops, meetings, technical working groups and events related to agriculture production sector and share the deliverables to the sector lead/ AgEl
Execute other duties assigned by the supervisor.

About You

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred in a relevant field including Agriculture/Crop Production, Agronomy, Rural Development, and other related field
Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support. Experience in the field of agriculture production and marketing and for an NGO would be a plus.
Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement
Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Afaan Oromo is required
Written and verbal communication skills in Amharic is a plus

Travel Required: Extensive field travel to and within East Hararghe

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Ifaa/RFSA Chief of Party, DCOP for Gender and Youth/ Gender, Youth and Social Dynamics Lead/, SBC lead, DCOP for Programming, RFSA/Ifaa Economic Livelihoods PM, RFSA/Ifaa Economic Livelihoods TA, Ifaa team technical and operation teams, all Country Program staff, Regional and Headquarters SBC technical advisors.

External: Ifaa Consortium members, local government stakeholders and communities and, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit organizations, private sectors and peer organizations operating in Ifaa woredas.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Required Skills

Strategic thinking
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Agile Business Analysis
Attention to detail

Desired Skills

Effective communication and sociability
Team building
Team work

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through this link: https://form.jotform.com/250052924954559 and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on January 17, 2025.

You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Qualified females and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

EthioNGOJobs