Job summary:

This position is a managerial position that entails membership in the Program Management Team (PMT). Technically she/he is accountable to the Program Coordinator for the day-to-day operation, as well as closely works with all management team members.  In addition to her/his role as a program officer, the Program Officer is also responsible for Community Based Psychosocial Support and Communication issues.  She/he is responsible for quality performance and excellence in the delivery of services and reporting of LWF’s refugee program.

Management duties

a)      Overall Program Management responsibilities

 1.  Promote, implement and uphold the vision, mission, core values and objectives of            the Lutheran World Federation, World Service LWF/WS;

2.  Assist the Program Coordinator/Resident Representative in maintaining timely                   implementations of program, and ensuring quality

3.  Be in charge of, direct and supervise refugee assistance projects in areas of WaSH,            livelihood, environment, energy and psychosocial support under her/his                             responsibility. 

4.  Lead project proposal designing; implementation, monitoring and evaluation of               refugee program under her supervision

5.  Ensure that baseline studies are conducted in the appropriate time and results are           used as benchmarks for tracking changes and for reporting;

6.  Ensure that project offices prepare procurement plans annually and conduct                     revisions in a coordinated manner and participate in the procurement processes               related to projects under his/her supervision ensuring that correct procedures are           followed, in consultation with the Procurement Officer;

7.  Ensure that the necessary logistical arrangements are in place for the project offices       to be able to manage the planned activities, in consultation with the Logistics Officer;

8.  Ensure that implementation of activities of the projects under his/her supervision             are carried out in accordance to the objectives of the approved project documents;

9.   Ensure effective utilization of funds/resources of the development programs under          her/his supervision;

10. Monitor the financial planning and expenditure of the projects under her/his                     supervision, including verification of monthly financial reports together with the               field staff;

11.  Undertake regular monitoring visits to projects under her/his supervision, ensuring          that  capacity building elements are included in each visit;

12.  Ensure timely submission of quality annual, quarterly, biannual project reports                  submitted to donors and government 

13.  Ensure that mid-term and terminal evaluations of the projects are carried out                    timely  in projects under her supervision;

14.   Ensure that exit strategies and plans are prepared and carried out in a timely                    manner for projects phasing out and ;

15.   In consultation with the Program Coordinator plan for soliciting new funding for                projects phasing out through development of concept papers and proposals                      (including needs assessment) in timely manner; 

16.   Promote all aspects of the LWF Accountability Framework, including incorporation             of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and other accountability elements in all                 aspects of the emergency response; 

17.   Ensure that the linkage between Relief, Rehabilitation and Development (LRRD)                and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) approached are incorporated into the project                under her supervision;

18.  Ensure mainstreaming of LWF Ethiopia’s cross-cutting issues of gender equity,                   HIV&AIDS and environmental protection throughout the emergency response and           strengthen gender sensitivity in all activities;

19.  Ensure compliance with LWF’s policies in child rights and inclusion of persons with           disabilities;

20.  Promote all aspects of the Core Humanitarian Standards, and other accountability           elements in all aspects of the refugee response, and adherence to the LWF Staff               Code of Conduct Regarding Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Abuse of Power, Fraud           and Corruption,

21. Ensure all emergency response and humanitarian interventions are undertaken in          accordance with LWF policies and guidelines, policies and procedures of the ACT              (Action by Churches Together) Alliance, specifically concerning the Code of Conduct,        the Sphere Standards and the CHS,

22. Take or participate in every administrative action such as promotion, transfer,                    suspension, termination, etc., in consultation with HR & Administration Unit on staff        working in project offices accountable to her;

23. Monitor and supervise the performance of project coordinators accountable to her;        complete their performance evaluations on time and approve their annual leaves;

24. Create the conditions to ensure effective teamwork and moral in the field programs.

25. Take appropriate action on matters related to Security Evacuation Plans whenever             the situations calls for

 b)   Responsibilities specific to Community Based Psychosocial Support

26.  Provide leadership in the Community Based Psychosocial Support and                                 Communication implementation and be the focal person for ensuring effective                 delivery of service to the people of concern;

27.  Continuously strive to improve the quality of the Community Based Psychosocial              Support in projects in line with LWF Ethiopia’s empowerment and integrated                      approaches;

 c)      Liaising roles

28.   Promote partnership and collaboration with people of concern and primary focus            groups throughout the project cycle, as central to overall accountability;

29.   Maintain liaison with relevant District/Regional government officers including                    facilitation and acquisition of operational agreements;

30.   Maintain liaison with relevant donors and partner organizations;

31.    Promote cooperation with relevant networks and/or institutions in the region;

 d)      Technical advisory role

 32.   Provide support and technical training in Community Based Psychosocial Support           related issues for the project staff as deemed necessary and make sure that all                 project staff have the required skills for their positions;

Masters or Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Social work or related field. 

Minimum of 6 years relevant work experience for Master’s Degree and 8 years for Bachelor Degree. 

Other Requirements:         

• Experience and knowledge of refugee operation and humanitarian work; communication work and NGO experience is advantageous
• Experience in facilitating training/mentoring
• Outstanding communication skills; Very good knowledge of spoken and written English
• Computer literate
• Good rigor, method and analytical skills
• Ability to carry out tasks independently