About the Organization  

Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) (www.refugeecouncil.fi) is an international non-governmental organization with its Head Office in Helsinki. 

FRC advocates for the rights of displacement affected populations including refugees, Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs), migrants& returnees and supports their new beginnings. By reinforcing equality and creating opportunities for everyone to lead a good life, FRC promotes the establishment of stable and peaceful societies.

In Ethiopia, FRC’s operation commenced in 2019 following its legal licensing with Registration Number 4184.   

FRC’s strategic interventions focus on strengthening the coping, resilience, and self-reliance of refugees, IDPs, returnees and hosting communities in different parts of Ethiopia through facilitating access to inclusive education and livelihood opportunities and providing protective life-saving post-conflict emergency response services. 

Since 2022, FRC has been engaged in providing multisectoral humanitarian emergency support services to communities affected by conflict induced displacement in Northern Ethiopia by working in partnership with the local non-government organization, Action for the Needy in Ethiopia (ANE). The extended project will continue and expand on the previous interventions on meeting basic humanitarian needs as well as strengthening the capacity of displacement affected communities for coping and resilience. 

At the core of FRC’s work is ensuring the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and other members of communities that may be at risk of marginalization and promoting their rights and active participation at all levels.

Purpose of the Role: 

The Project Officer will lead and coordinate the overall humanitarian emergency response project implementation in Mekane Selam, Borena Woreda Amhara Region of Northern Ethiopia. The role will be primarily responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of designed projects for Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs), returnees and affected host communities across operational IDP sites in Borena Woreda. The Officer works under direction of the Dessie based Humanitarian Coordinator and with close support by the technical team. The post holder will also work closely with community-based workers, as well as government and non-government actors in the implementation of all the project activities planned for Mekane Selam.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Take a lead in the overall implementation of the project in Mekane selam (Borena  Woreda) which includes (needs assessment, beneficiary targeting, activity implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the periodic progress performance)

• Liaise with IDP camp leaders, key implementing partners, and government counterparts in the joint identification of vulnerable IDPs who are in need of critical support. 

• Closely work with technical staff based in Dessie (Education, Cash, GBV, WASH, and other thematic colleagues) ensuring the proper implementation of the projects towards the benefit of vulnerable groups from the humanitarian emergency support services 

• Monitor and closely work with the field Officers and relevant staff of the local counterpart, in the site selection, construction, maintenance, and use of inclusive WASH facilities

• Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with relevant FRC technical guidelines and standards. 

Monitoring, Evaluation  and Learning 

• Take a lead in the proper identification of beneficiaries including PWD and vulnerable groups, verification, and validation process. 

• Take a lead in monitoring, emplacement of the accountability system at the grassroots level evaluation,

• Compile and share periodic progress reports on the project progress with the line manager and concerned departments.

• Develop and share field-level project implementation progress report to the line manager as agreed.

• Conduct review and reflection meetings to assess the progress of target beneficiary performance in the different thematic sectors. 

• Record, document, and report the lessons learned and best practices on disability and inclusion.

•  Periodically develop and share case stories of PWD targets, regularly review and update the project risk matrix together with the project partner and with the immediate line manager.

• Ensure project implementation is timely within the planned target, and budget using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts. 

• Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with relevant FRC technical guidelines and standards.

Partner Management and Networking 

• Represent FRC in relevant coordination platforms at camp, Kebele, Woreda level 

• Liaise with all other relevant stakeholders in all stages of project implementation, 

• Participate in relevant humanitarian clusters and working groups (Protection, GBV, CWG, WASH, emergency shelter, etc) and provide regular updates and required information on project progress.

• Coordinate and collaborate with different stakeholders, other NGOs, and government agencies to guarantee a broader and more consistent reach of project activities.

• Coordinate and collaborate with the project partner to ensure the effective delivery of the project.

• Arrange regular monitoring meetings with the project partner, capture key issues log, and follow up on its implementation. 

• Develop collaborative linkages and liaise with other actors for better service to IDPs and vulnerable communities  

Accountability 

• Ensure proper project plan and implementation are transparently communicated to the respective  right holders and community groups

• Ensure the establishment of proper information-sharing mechanisms closely working internally (with the line manager &protection specialist) and externally with community representatives, 

• Ensure and continually monitor and support the accessibility and effectiveness of Community-Based Feedback and Complaints Response Mechanisms to all levels of target communities 

• Ensure that timely response is provided to members of communities PWD on any emerging requests, feedback, and complaints. 

Other 

• Perform other duties directed by the immediate supervisor.

Duration:  One year contract with possibility of extension.

Category:  Humanitarian and Development Sector

Reports to: Humanitarian Coordinator

Job Requirements

Professional Standards: FRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the FRC Code of Conduct. 

Required Educational and Technical Competencies 

Education & Qualifications:

• University Degree in Project Management, Social Work, Sociology, Inclusive Education, or other relevant social science fields

Experience:

• At least 4 years of professional experience leading project interventions in an emergency setting at Woreda level.

• Preferred knowhow of the project area and experience in emergency response projects implementation or relevant skills.

• Practical experience in managing multisectoral emergency response interventions with strong gender and social inclusion backgrounds.

• Practical experience in working with grassroots communities preferably in humanitarian emergency settings. 

Essential Skills:

• Experience working with community groups in humanitarian, post-conflict, and/or recovery development contexts.

• Good understanding of gender, inclusion, and accountability to affected populations (AAP)

• Able to work with minimum supervision.

• Good communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

• good coordination skills.

Desirable Qualities and Interpersonal Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Exposure and experience to the work location

• Report writing and strong presentation skills 

How to Apply

Fill the following form https://bit.ly/3MyU9A8 and Submit your CV and cover letter only via email: recruitment.ethiopia@refugeecouncil.fi

Please refer in the subject line of your email to the following code: FRC/DES/PO/23

Important Note: - Strictly follow the instructions. Applications that do not follow the instructions of the application process will not be considered.

Qualified females and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) applicants are highly encouraged to apply.