ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organization committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Entrepreneur & Economic Empowerment Coordinator will be responsible to ensure support and linkages to the Value Chain developments, VESA/Village Economic & Social associations/, Youth Economic Empowerment and innovation program components for the Healthy Village project-integrated WASH, Food and Nutrition Security incorporating Climate Resilient Agriculture in accordance with Plan’s Child Cemented Community Development (CCCD approach. He/she ensure that quality project deliveries are reflected within the entire project cycle and that all field program implementation is undertaken efficiently and effectively.

The position holder technically works closely with the Healthy Village project coordinator, Amhara PA Manager, field level officers and supports the program terms to ensure proactive engagement in the area of networking and collaboration, learning and knowledge management within the broader organization and with another partner organization.

Plan International Ethiopia has put in place a CP policy that all of its staff must adhere to and sign. Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

Dimensions of the Role

Financial management or statistics relevant to post such as budget list of direct and indirect reports. The position holder is fully responsible for the delivery of results in line with the project’s objectives and supports program implementation at all stages throughout the project cycle. S/he is responsible for ensuring the quality of program delivery to keep the project on track and compliant.

The post holder will report to the Healthy Village Coordinator at Amhara Program Area Office. The post holder will have responsibility for the planning, management, operation, coordination and regular monitoring of Healthy Village project economic & entrepreneurship component to be implemented in Amhara PA, Shebel Berenta district and Ofla district in Tigray Region/other woreda or region that the project could expand eventually

Key Job Responsibilities:

Being key member of the Healthy Village project field team, the Entrepreneur & Economic Empowerment Coordinator will provide service in the day-to-day implementation and delivery of responsive, effective, and efficient Healthy Village project activities under Amhara PA in Shebel Berenta Woreda of East Gojjam and Ofla woreda in Tigray region. The incumbent must ensure community-involvement and assist with open dialogue/communications between PIE and targeted communities to provide consistent and high-quality service.

 The Entrepreneur and Economic Empowerment Coordinator will perform the following functions-

• Lead & perform the overall implementation of the Healthy Village Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship component and take the lead in successful project delivery as per the standards, donor agreement and Plan’s guidelines and agreed implementation strategy.
• Establishing VESA/VSLA, train them and skill back up to them by continuous follow up & support with special focus on Sanitation & nutrition marketing
• Identification of community members to benefit from VESA/VSLA and other formal/informal financial support activities as outlined in the Healthy Village project document, and ensure relevant monitoring is done throughout the project.
• Develop relevant training manuals on VESA methodology, financial literacy and practices for target beneficiaries and lead in facilitating training.
• Ensure all VESA/VSLA beneficiaries are properly mentored and supported throughout the project target area.
• Participate in periodic project review and planning meetings; and external meetings as often as requested by the HV Project coordinator or APA PAM.
• Conduct field visits to assess, implement and monitor all activities planned under economic empowerment/entrepreneurship of Healthy Village project, like business and financial management training and entrepreneurs.
• Identify and assess the needs of various communities and suggest possible solutions in coordination with the field level officers, HVP Coordinator & MEAL Coordinator. 
• Support the Health, Food & Nutrition Coordinators, WASH Officers & SBCC Coordinator in the business and financial management training and organize the training in cooperation with concerned government offices at woreda level and other team members. 
• Prepare and develop in consultation with appropriate stakeholder’s annual work plans and project plans.
• Facilitate on time budget transfer and budget liquidation of partners organizations.
• Monitor expenditure on a monthly basis to ensure spending is on track, and ensure forecasts are updated based on activities and in compliance with donor regulations.
• Prepare programmatic reports for donor, government and the country office as required.
• Take a lead in the development of new Youth Employment and Skill Development concept note preparation & proposal designing.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to provide support to partners and to ensure program’s quality and impact.
• Represent the Healthy Village Project in sectoral coordination at district, zonal, regional levels and with the technical authorities.
• Ensure strong linkages with Community level structures, Woreda and Kebele government partners, sekota declaration unit and other implementing partners
• Ensure the integration of GESI/Gender equality & Social inclusion/ in all stages of the project activity implementation 
• Any other tasks as may be required for operational support directed by the line manager or designate.

Dealing with Problems:

• Lead and facilitate Identification of community members to benefit from VESA/VSLA and other formal/informal financial support activities as outlined in the Healthy Village project document, and ensure relevant monitoring is done throughout the project and also once commissioned and the needs close working relationships with project staff.

Communications and Working Relationships:

• Works closely with government offices, local and International NGOs and relevant Plan Program Area Staffs.
• Establish good relationship and working environment in the organization with the different project coordinators, managers, specialists and other support staff.  
• Internally: work closely with all project staffs and collaborate with other team members in Shebel Berenta, Ofla and HVP Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator and PAM in Bahirdar as well as CO staffs to ensure effective program delivery and accelerated response across Plan International Ethiopia Departments.

Externally: Consultants, Partners and relevant government staff.

• Ensure that project plans are implemented accordingly.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Job Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s or Bachelor's degree in Social science, Agriculture, Marketing, economics, Rural Development or related fields
• Minimum 5 years for BSc & 2 years for MSc holders with relevant field experience in economic empowerment works under INTEGRTAED WASH, FOOD & Nutrition projects focusing on sanitation, nutrition marketing.
• Technical experience and knowledge in the area of VESA/VSLA: Village Saving and Loan Association, Youth Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment, Youth Innovative Program.
• Proven understanding of microenterprise / small business development and VESA/VSLA approaches.
• Skills or training in basic bookkeeping or financial literacy is desirable.
• Prior experience working with local governments and stakeholders in implementation of projects, including hands-on community mobilization skills.
• Experience working with local NGOs and partners in the implementation of programmes and support in institutional development.
• Good knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning.
• Assist in building good relations with national authorities, international organizations, donor governments and other organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a large team of national staff at different levels.
• Strong documentation and information management skills.
• Good analytical, facilitation, communication and presentation skills.
• Resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to prioritize work under pressure.
• Good in written and spoken English.
• Nationality of Ethiopia.

 Physical Environment and Demands:

May be “typical office environment”, note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel etc.

Typically, office environment with at least 90% field travel to kebeles and villages and, individuals’ houses during house to house visits.

Level of Contact with Children:

High contact:  High interaction with children to monitor the growth of children under 3 years.

The position will be based in Shebel Berenta and frequent travel to other districts where the project is being implemented and level of contact with children will be frequent

 Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

•  Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

 We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is January 21, 2022. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the below link.

CLICK HERE

NB: This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia. Applications and CVs should be written in English will be accepted and note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply. Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.