Job at Embassy of Switzerland

National Programme Officer

The Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia, represented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is currently advertising one (1) position of National Programme Officer (NPO) position for the implementation of its health programme in Ethiopia and the region. The modalities of employment and application for the advertised position include the following elements:

Background:

In Ethiopia, the Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC) operates though the International Cooperation Department of the Embassy of Switzerland in Addis Abeba. It bears responsibility for all international development and humanitarian assistance programmes of the Government of Switzerland in the country, in close coordination with the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, with which it co-manages the Swiss Regional Programme Horn of Africa.

The current Swiss Cooperation Strategy Horn of Africa (HoA) 2018-2021 focuses on Somalia and the arid and semi-arid lands of South-Eastern Ethiopia and North-Eastern Kenya. The strategy covers four sectors: food security, health, governance and migration/protection. It is designed as a whole of government approach in which Swiss Development and Cooperation (SDC) teams in the Swiss Embassies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa are closely collaborating with other Swiss Government units such as the Human Security Division, the Political Directorate and the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration. The overall aim of the strategy is to respond to humanitarian needs, while contributing to poverty reduction, conflict transformation and inclusive state-building in support of participatory and sustainable socio-economic development.

SDC programmes and respective instruments are implemented through a variety of partners (African Union, IGAD, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, regional and governmental organizations and institutions), using different instruments (humanitarian aid, development cooperation, policy dialogue) and intervention modalities (bilateral, multilateral, mandates, contributions, pooled funds, secondments). Policy dialogue at national and regional level, good donorship principles, aid effectiveness principles in fragile and conflict affected contexts (New Deal and OECD principles on engagement in fragile contexts), as well as humanitarian core principles and improved protection of civilians are systematically promoted.

The Health programme aims at improving access of the most vulnerable population (poor pastoralists, IDPs, urban poor, women and children) to affordable quality health care, and contributes to improved health governance using the One Health Approach. Focus is given to both primary health care service delivery and system building, with a stronger engagement in health system governance. Support to service delivery is done through NGOs, national institutions and with the private/informal sector.

Duties and competences that comes along with this position:

Partners and Operations (Project and Programme Responsibilities)

•  Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Cooperation, he/she will be responsible for the development and implementation of the health portfolio with a specific focus on One Health, and will contribute to the multi-sectoral exchanges within the regional portfolio.
•  Establish and maintain constructive professional relations with operational partners.
• Management of projects according to project cycle management (PCM) and results based management principles.
•  Responsible for the financial management of health projects with the support of the finance and administration team.
• Assist in institutional development issues of partners and promote learning processes.
• Provide support for administrative tasks as required.

State of Health in Ethiopia

•  Analyze and document health sector dynamics in Ethiopia and the region, and ensure this information is adequately communicated.
• Contribute to the regional and country reporting and other key milestones as requested.
• Represent Switzerland’s position on health related matters in relevant health platforms in Ethiopia.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Government of Ethiopia ministries relevant for the Swiss health portfolio in Ethiopia.
• Establish a constructive dialogue with IGAD on regional health issues and follow up on IGAD health-related initiatives. Ensure active communication about this with Nairobi-based health team

Coordination with other Units of the Embassy of Switzerland

• The NPO actively and constructively participates in the strategic discussion with other units of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia.

Starting on: As soon as possible (with probation period of 3 months)

Job Requirements

Requirements:

•  University Master’s Degree in public health or similar.
• Public and/or animal health specialist with strong health governance background and with extensive working experience in public health policy.
• High political sensitivity and an excellent understanding of the social, economic and political situation in Ethiopia and the region (Horn of Africa) and of related humanitarian and development challenges for the respective societies.
• Good understanding of the regional and national development policy agenda such as the ones formulated by the UN, IGAD, WB and other comparable global and regional bodies.
• Good understanding of the principles and practices of international development and humanitarian cooperation.

Professional experience:

• A minimum of five years relevant working experience in the field of international development and/or humanitarian aid, preferably with regional or international (multilateral or bilateral) organizations.
•  Knowledge and practical experiences in policy and programmatic work (strategic and operational) related to issues of health and governance, in particular One Health.
• Practical experience in the management of humanitarian and/or development projects in the context of international cooperation in fragile contexts.
• Field experience in the Lowlands of Ethiopia, especially in the Somali Region.
• Experience in local governance programming is a strong comparative advantage.

Skills:

•  High individual autonomy and a high sense of personal responsibility, including creativity and innovative capacity and willingness to learn and to embrace change.
•  Good ability to establish confidence among partners and colleagues, including an excellent ability to network and to work in a team.
•  Proven leadership skills in terms of policy dialogue and programme implementation / oversight.
• Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, with a particular talent in exact and correct writing.
•  Knowledge of French and/or German is an asset.
• Good computer skills including good practical experience with the MS Office Software Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer or any other browser commonly used.

The position will be based at the Embassy of Switzerland in Old Airport, Addis Abeba. Field missions in Ethiopia and to the whole region when required for the purpose of project planning/ monitoring, sector coordination, policy dialogue etc.

How to Apply

Applicants should possess a valid employment permit in Ethiopia. No work permits will be processed by the Embassy of Switzerland directly.

Applications should be neatly formatted and drafted in excellent English.

 Applications should include (1) a motivation letter (maximum one page); (2) a curriculum vitae (maximum three pages); (3) two reference persons to be contacted for feedback from previous employments (mobile phone numbers only); and (4) copies of relevant university degrees and other diplomas, incl. work certificates (if available). The motivation letter and CV are to be submitted in Microsoft Word format only.

Applications should be sent in one single email to Ms. Tigist Gebreyohanis at tigist-hailsilase.gebreyohanis@eda.admin.ch, by July 17th, 2019 at the very latest.

The subject of the application email should state the exact following words: “Application for NPO Position, SDC Ethiopia”.

The motivation letter should be addressed to “Head of Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC), Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia”.

Only the applications 100% compliant with the above criteria will be considered.

 The foreseen start of duty is at the earliest convenience – latest 01 September 2019.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.