Background:

VNG International is the international cooperation agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG). It is a medium sized, dynamic company annually managing over 60 projects and programs in about 40 countries, with a focus on decentralization, local governance and capacity-building. VNG International supports local governments, their associations and training institutions in developing countries and countries in transition.

VNG International has partnered with Creative Associates International to implement the USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement Activity (ECE) Creative is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Description:

The USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement Activity is a four-year activity with the overall goal to strengthen Ethiopia’s civic fabric in support of more inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. The project aims to strengthen civic and community-based actors’ ability to engage in policy analysis, advocacy, dialogue, and collective action for peaceful, democratic change; and foster multi-stakeholder civic partnerships in support of inclusive dialogue, respect for human rights, and advancing more effective, citizen-responsive, and accountable governance.

Position Summary:

The Civic Engagement Program Officer assumes responsibility for supporting various civic engagement initiatives of the ECE in Addis Ababa and in regional Hub offices; maps potential partners, builds partnerships, focuses on issue-based clusters, mentor and coach civic actors to actively play their role in promoting and advocating citizen priorities across the project implementation areas;  provides technical assistance to local civic actors to meaningfully engage and participate during dialogue and discussion; supports clusters in developing their technical and institutional capacity for effective implementation of the program; identifies implementation challenges to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. The Project Officer will be working closely with all ECE staff with the focus on development of cluster networks to demonstrate greater participation in governance processes.

Reporting: This position reports to the Partnership and Engagement Lead at Addis Ababa and the position based in Dire Dawa and Dessie will report to regional Hub Managers with technical direction from the Partnership and Engagement Lead.

Key Responsibilities

• General Program support:

• Build the capacity of civil society organizations in technical areas related to citizen engagement.

• Coach and mentor clusters Cluster Lead Organizations (CLOs) to lead their clusters in establishing a common agenda for change.

• Mentor CLO and CSOs to incorporate the voices of marginalized people at the cluster and coalition level.

• Coach and support CLO and other anchoring organization in organizing and facilitating dialogue and civic engagement activities.

• Mentor CLOs to engage media as a platform for governance dialogue.

• Support and encourage clusters to promote participation, collaboration, and advocacy through the project implementation period to increase citizen participation in governance processes.

• Support and mentor clusters in identifying entry points for collaboration and engagement for a common agenda.

• Mentor CLOs as they look for opportunities to build on partnerships and collaboration that align with best-fit opportunities and iterative.

• Attend meetings, visit partner institutions to discuss project activities with the leaders and explore other collaborations.

• Assist program staff in the preparation of work plans

• Assist in implementing the activities in relation to project management and in monitoring the progress of planned activities.

• In collaboration with grants and program staff, contribute to grant solicitations and assist in grant completion and submission processes. 

• Participate in reviewing and evaluating incoming proposals from partners.

• Reviewing reports from grantee and provide feedback to the internal team and to the grantee

• Draft input to reports and analyses of programmatic activities.

• Contribute to the development of the project strategic framework and work plans for the program implementation to ensure the achievement of the program goals.

Issue based clusters:

• Support in exploring opportunities for networking/clusters and collaboration across civic actors, private sector and others

• Facilitate and support cluster to deepen cross sectoral partnership among civic actors.

• In support of cluster lead organizations, co-facilitate multi-stakeholder cluster meetings.

• Support clusters in organizing events including learning sessions, dialogues and other events.

• Support the Capacity Strengthen Manager, as needed, for the development of capacity-strengthening materials, especially as it related to strengthening the capacity of cluster lead organizations and cluster members.

• With support from the Capacity Strengthening Manager, in conjunction with the cluster lead organization assess and determine capacity strengthening needs of the CLO and cluster members.

• Establish professional and strong working relations with all grantees/ clusters/civic actors.

• As per the workplan, prepare and organize relevant meetings and capacity strengthening sessions (in coordination with the capacity strengthening manager/ officer) for key stakeholders such as CSOs, Private sectors, relevant local governments, and media.

• Engage the social accountability committees in woreda and city administration

• Participate in the selection of Mentor, deploy and follow up the implementation

• Prepare mentorship guideline in consultation with the capacity strengthen manager and partnership and engagement manager
  Facilitate building and maintenance network and communication within ECE and partners across all project sites.

• Facilitate workshop, conference and focus group discussions or other surveys related to civic engagement and other priority areas identified by citizen survey

Research:

• Support overall research activities related to engagement and mainstreaming processes in the project’s implementation.

• Recommendations, mainstreaming processes and other issues.

• Provide support the development of terms of reference for research and scope of work for consultants to engage.

• In conjunction with MEL unit, when requested, review and proof-read draft research and assessment, and survey reports and provide feedback to the consultants.

• Support research and advocacy activity of ECE by consultants, research and academic institutions to promote civic engagement at all levels.

• As requested, organize validation and dissemination workshop of the research/survey report.

• In consultation with the Partnership and Engagement Manager and other program team develop research work plans according to ECE needs.

• Facilitate research activities and work with team members.

Communications

• Collaborate with ECE Communication Manager to gather important information for social media and for a newsletter.

• Assist in developing the project report.

• Develop and plan range of communication activities consistent with the ECE communication strategy.

• In collaboration with the Communication Manger document successes stories, challenges, and lessons learned and share them with through regular program reports.

•  Support in maintaining communication and coordination with internal and ex-ternal stakeholders.

• Maintain collaboration with other ECE team for technical advisory and project implementation.

• Maintain regular communication with the relevant partner to update the project activities to ensure smooth and impactful collaboration. 

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies: management, business administration, or other relevant fields

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience with at least 2 years’ experience good governance, social accountability and/or advocacy initiatives with international development programs required.

• Ability to facilitate and enable processes and systems to be developed, operationalized and institutionalized.

• A sound understanding of Ethiopia civic organizations and demonstrable experience working with networking and clusters.

• Experience with providing technical assistance, including organizing and conducting workshops and trainings.

• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated track record of working effectively in a teamwork environment.

• Experience working with civil society organizations and/or diverse communities.

• Experience with USAID or donor-funded projects desired. 

• Good problem solving, stress management and time management skills. 

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of other Microsoft suite applications.

• Strong (medium level) English, both spoken and written as well as Amharic language skills required, one other local language preferred. 

How to Apply

Submit your documents via email: info@esap.org.et

N.B: Mention the place where you applied for on the subject line of your email

 Deadline for application will be on 12th October 2023.