Overview of HELVETAS and the ALG Project

HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is an independent development organization based in Switzerland and it has been operating for the last 65 years worldwide. HELVETAS is registered in Ethiopia as foreign organization with the Agency for Civil Society Organization to operate in the areas of Rural Infrastructure, Natural Resource Management, Support to CSO and Local Governments, Skill Development & Education and Emergency Response. See also. www.helvetas.org.

Under its VIC thematic area ‘Amhara Local Governance Project (ALG) by scaling up its intervention areas aims to ensure that communities and civil society can claim their rights and meaningfully engage in development and policy processes. The project will be implemented in the coming three years in Amhara region, five zones (Wagihmra, South Wollo, South Gondar, West Gojjam, Awi and East Gojjam). The project plan is to achieve its objective through capacity building of civil society to apply influence, for community to meaningfully participate in local development planning and implementation, for council to properly oversight the work of the executive and local governments to manage public resources efficiently and transparently.

Job Purposes

The purpose of the Capacity Development Officer is to provide technical assistance and capacity building for Project Participants, Government partners and Implementing Partners. The incumbent will bring thematic competence in social and institutional development skills to ensure that all deliverables pertaining to building capacity is accomplished on time and according to approved scope of work.

The incumbent will coordinate training need assessment and organize trainings based on the identified gap, promote the institutionalization of ICBPP as government planning tool, strength woreda level planning technical team, support the implementing partners in capacity gap assessment and facilitation of trainings, and generate lessons.

HELVETAS long term strategy is institutionalization of the proven methodologies, approaches, tools and up-scaling responsibilities to government and assuming advocacy and technical backstopping services. Hence the incumbent is expected to contribute and work in line with the long-term organizational strategy.

Duties and responsibilities

Partnership and capacity strengthening

• Conduct institutional capacity assessment in terms of participatory planning and identify existing strength, needs, and gaps in expertise and organizational systems.

• Identifying Implementing partners and CSOs capacity development needs, and facilitate planning, organizing and overseeing appropriate training.

• Leads and coordinates capacity building of ALGP team and Implementing Partners, and particularly planning experts in the project intervention woredas, for gender equity and ICBPP interventions, including in facilitation skill

• Closely work and collaborate with partners and promotes effective linkages among government, civil society, and CBO actors.

• Promote internal learning and synergy as well as joint resources mobilization among actors towards the attainment of shared development results.

• Work closely with regional council, and Plan development Bureau, and line offices at zonal and woreda level and universities in developing appropriate community empowerment approach and performing public services competently for the benefit of all citizens.

• Undertake analytical work and provide technical guidance in community mobilization and capacity building in the area of five pro-poor sectors focusing on and advice on how to ensure consistent use of ICBPP approach.

• In collaboration with Implementing Partners, Conduct continues follow up to ensure the utilization of ICBPP approach as a planning tool in all intervention Kebeles, adapted and become formal local development planning tool.

• Advocate for the institutionalization of ICBPP as a government planning tool, and capacity building training packages to council.

Project implementation

• Contribute to development of standards, guidelines and processes which support the ongoing quality of capacity development approaches across the project outcomes and outputs.

• Support and advise Implementing Partners, and government partners to facilitate the preparation and implementation of kebele and Woreda development plans and design of strategies for the institutionalization and scale up of ICBPP.

• Support establishment/strengthening of regional, zonal and Woreda level forums in the implementation of ICBPP and women coccus.

• Prepare annual operation plan, report and update for capacity development activities of the project.

• Ensure implementation of the project proceed according to approved work plan and correction are taken timely

• Supports woreda-level Offices of plan development, and council to promote and facilitate ICBPP approach use.

Quality Assurance, Documentation, and reporting

• Contribute to organizational and sector-wide learning through good quality input for lessons learned, best practices, and evaluations etc.

• Identify and anticipate potential risks and problems in a timely manner and advise the project on the implementation of mitigation measures and solutions.

• Work harmoniously with implementing partners, CSOs, CBOs, local government partners and other project team members to ensure the project is being delivered timely and effectively.

• Develops and implements follow-up coaching plans to sustain Implementing Partners expertise and commitment to apply new skills

• Documents and shares lessons/results of ICBPP in local development planning and implementation and best practices; and use of project learning into evidence-based policy influence

• Organizes and participates in cross-visits to leverage lessons and best practices on ICBPP and community empowerment activities

• Together with the MEAL officer, supports impact measurement and annual outcome survey.

Job Requirements

Education / Qualification: 

BA in law, Sociology, Economics, Social Work, Community development, Development Studies, Project planning and Management, or related social science field to governance.

Relevant Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years' work experience and of which 2 years NGO related work experience in capacity development, facilitation of community mobilization and institutional capacity development.

• Solid knowledge about capacity building approaches and working modalities

• Demonstrated experience in trainings and workshops facilitation

• Relevant experience working within a partnership agreement

• Understanding and knowledge of the Ethiopian federal system.

Skills and Competences Required

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Flexible, capable of working independently, high integrity, and hard-working.

• Fluent in spoken and written English, and Amharic is required.

• Basic knowledge of Awigna language is desirable. 

How to Apply

Submit your application & updated CV via email: HumanResources.ETH@helvetas.org or Register using the following LINK

N.B: Please make sure you write the position title in the subject line. Female applicates are preferred.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.