Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) is the aid organization of the Protestant Churches of Switzerland and has its headquarters in Zurich/Switzerland. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) works towards a more human and more equitable world, assisting people and communities to overcome economic, social or humanitarian disparities in order to gain autonomy and to live with dignity both in Switzerland and abroad. Therefore, Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) engages in development cooperation, humanitarian aid and church cooperation working in more than 30 countries and running around 200 projects world-wide. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) is a member of the ACT Alliance. 

In Ethiopia, HEKS/EPER has country programs with focus on Humanitarian Assistance, Natural Resource Management, WASH, and Inclusive Markets for Smallholder Pastoralists for vulnerable communities, including those affected by climate change and conflicts. 

HEKS/EPER with the financial assistance from USAID / Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is implementing an integrated emergency response to complex drought in four woredas of Borana zone in Yabello, Elwaye, Dubuluk & Moyale woredas. The project provides WASH and Agriculture based responses for drought affected vulnerable households residing in the four target Woredas .

The main objective of the project is to contribute to the improvement of basic living and humanitarian conditions in drought-stricken communities in four Woredas of the zone. HEKS/EPER is looking for a qualified and committed Project Officer for its Borana Coordination office based in Yabello to work under this intervention. 

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, review, and evaluation of Livestock and NRM activities under HEKS/EPER’s responsibility (including Animal Feed/Fodder intervention, Restocking of small ruminants (Shoats), emergency livestock vaccination, and capacity building for (CAHWs) Community Animal Health Workers.

• Familiarize him/herself with relevant project documents, the FAO Guideline for Livestock Interventions in Emergency, relevant USAID/BHA guidelines and HEKS/EPER’s Ethiopia Country Strategy.

• Develop a detailed project work plan guiding the project activities implementation and to monitor project progress towards effective project management.

• Initiate and carry out timely monitoring of beneficiary’s selection, verification, provision of livestock and NRM interventions.

• With support of field level project leadership, facilitate regular review and reflection meetings with partners in the field to assess accomplishments, challenges and lessons-learned with respect to livestock and NRM interventions.

• Develop, implement and document best-practices around livestock related and NRM responses and share these with the HEKS/EPER Country Office Team in a timely manner.

• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and programmatic obligations are met.

• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders and represent HEKS/EPER at project target locations in consultation with field project teams and consortium.

• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements, with a focus on quality analysis and timely submission.

• Ensure that overall livestock and NRM activities of the project are implemented according to the approved donor & government agreement.

• Support the mass vaccination of livestock through technical & logistic support for target woreda stakeholders.

• Support all CAHWs and animal health technicians in providing services of high quality to the livestock owners in the project area.

•    Ensure adequate consultation and participation of district and kebele level stakeholders throughout the project cycles such as in project planning, implementation, and monitoring of the intervention.

• Undertake timely submission of regular reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and final) as deemed necessary by the project management team.

• Prepare and review quarter and project lifetime activity plans and budget for livestock and NRM-related activities.

• Closely work with filed project teams and M&E focal person during the development of monitoring tools/measuring indicators, milestones development, and monitoring/ reporting of output and outcome in his/her area assigned.

• Ensure that all HEKS/EPER accountability procedures and tools are applied correctly at all stages of the implementation of livestock and NRM interventions.

•   Closely work with and support local partner GPDI in any livestock and NRM related activity as required by the project.

• Carry out any additional duty as requested by the line manager.

Job Requirements

• DVM or MSc Degree in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Natural Resource Management and related fields.

• Minimum of 4 years of professional work experience in managing projects in livestock production and food security.

• Proven experience in livelihoods, NRM and emergency livestock interventions.

• Evidence of project cycle management experience, including design, planning, budgeting, monitoring & evaluation, and reporting.

• Experience in working with pastoral and agro pastoral communities.

• Demonstrable experience of working in Borana Zone desirable.

• Willingness to work in remote areas, ability to work with minimum supervision.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge of local language, Afaan Oromo, is required.

• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of HEKS/EPER.

•  Desirable

  •  Experience with USAID / BHA funded Projects

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by sending a cover letter and updated CV through this LINK

Deadline for application: October 31, 2023

Mention the location and position you are applying for on the subject of your email and your application letter. Your application will not be reviewed if you fail to do so.

Only short-listed applications will be contacted. No phone calls are allowed!

Qualified Female applicants are encouraged to apply