FH Ethiopia is a non-governmental organization engaged in relief and development activities. At FH, we operate under a set of guiding principles we call the “The Heartbeat”. This includes our Values, Vision and Purpose, which serve as the explanation of who we are and how we work as organization. Together we follow God’s call responding to human suffering and graduating communities from extreme poverty. FH Ethiopia would like to invite potential internal and external candidates to apply for the following position: 

Position:                                  Nature Positive Food Systems/NPFS Officer 

Duty Station:                         Wayu Tuka (East Wollega Zone, Oromia region) 

Duration of Contract:         One-year contract, Renewable (with 60 working days probation period)

Salary:                                          As per the salary scale of the organization

Closing date:                               December 25, 2023

Job Summary

Responsible to plan, implement, capacity building, facilitating, supervise and monitoring: Nature Positive Food Systems/NPFS (Nature+) project activities in selected Woreda, such as building the capacity of farmers, development agents and development workers and other stakeholders on nature based solutions (NBS), soil and water conservation (SWC), farmers managed natural regeneration (FMNR), conservation agriculture (CA+) and biodiversity conservation, organize farmers experience sharing visits on landscape management, organize watershed users cooperatives, organize and facilitate multi-stakeholders on nature based landscape, organize joint monitoring visits with stakeholders, implementing physical and biological SWC activities, establishing and managing tree nursery sites, facilitate area closure on communal lands and conduct afforestation/reforestation on area closure and enrichment plantation on FMNR, compiling data on all activities at each kebele and reporting to the West region programs manager (immediate supervisor) periodically and project manager based at Addis Ababa.

Principal Responsibilities

Key Result #1: Take a lead in Planning and reporting of the Nature Positive Food Systems (Nature+) Project

1. Prepare detailed activity and budget plan of NPFS (nature+) project activities and submit to the immediate supervisor.

2. Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, bi-annual, annual, etc… (Periodical reports) to the immediate supervisor and project manager for internal use, review  and submission to appropriate partners.

3. Closely work and maintain smooth relations with all partners/stakeholders for smooth project implementation that ensures and maximize the benefits of the target community.

4. Collect and compile early warning data from the respective woreda and prepare  quarterly early warning reports.  

5. Organize and conduct different trainings, experience sharing visits, physical and biological SWC activities, afforestation/reforestation on area closure and enrichment plantation on FMNR and workshops to farmers, watershed users’ cooperatives, etc… with community workers and relevant line offices.

Key Result #2: Project Implementation and coordination

1. Facilitate the activities at each kebele’s in the watershed landscape, rendering of technical supports at watershed landscape, communal lands, area closure, each farmers farmland; formation of watershed users cooperatives/associations and technical supports of school environment clubs.

2. Organize different nature based solution (NBS), SWC, FMNR and biodiversity conservation and CA+ trainings for farmers, DAs, community workers and other stakeholders planned by the project.

3. Liaise with line government offices, community leaders and other partners regarding nature positive food systems activities, capacity building and technical supports.

4. Establish and maintain smooth working relationship with staff and stakeholders.

5. Supervise and give technical support to community workers at their working sites/kebeles.

6. Monitor the activities under his custody regularly and ensures quality output.

7. Generate new project ideas and facilitate the preparation of proposal in agriculture, capacity building and agricultural input supports.

Key Result #3: Networking, Coordination and Projects Management 

13.  Networks with Agriculture bureau/office, Wollega University, Nekemte polyethnic college, Bako Agricultural Research Centre, Nekemte Soils Laboratory, Farmers Union, Cooperatives and all government and non-governmental agencies to collaborate in running the nature+ related activities with West region programs manager.

14.  Organize and handle all learning and lessons events with the respective local level project stakeholders and other who come to the project area in consultation with immediate supervisor and Project Manager. 

15.  Makes the necessary contacts with Woreda and Kebele level partners for smooth relationship and maintains good understanding in the implementation process of the project; and hosts project visitors from donor and different organizations at woreda;

16.  Maintain good relationship with stakeholders;

Key Result #4 Staff and Resource management 

17.  Gives overall guidance, manages and coaches to community development workers under  his/her supervision;

18.  Ensures that performance evaluation forms for all employees are completed timely and shared with the immediate supervisor for review and submission to FHE Head Office;

19.  Ensure that project resources (vehicles, motor bikes, etc…) are properly managed as per vehicles management guideline of FHE;

20.   Ensures that human resources, materials and commodities are adequately available and properly utilized;  

21.  Co-ordinates and creates team spirit among project staffs to maximize the achievements of the project;

Key Result #5 Financial management

22.  Ensures that financial resources of the project is implemented based on the planned activities, finance procedures and guidelines;

23.  Show a higher integrity in handling financial resources allocated for the planned project;

24.  Ensure that resource utilization is economical and efficient in the project;

25.  Provide all necessary technical support to project Finance and Admin Officer to prepare monthly financial accomplishment report and submit to Head Office.

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Gender Responsibility

⮚  Be aware of the stereotypes about women’s and men’s capacities, and discuss how they influence staff, in assigning responsibility, and in managing resources at unit and organization level.

⮚  Be able to describe how gender issues relate to one’s job responsibilities and how gender equity can be promoted through the execution of those responsibilities.

⮚ Be familiar with the local Gender Focal Point(s), and go to her/him to learn more about gender issues, or when there is a gender grievance or harassment issue to resolve

⮚ Within each project and department, discuss FH’s Gender & Diversity and Sexual Harassment and sexual exploitation Policies, so that all staff are conversant with them.

⮚ Refrain from any comments or gestures that indicate prejudicial views of female staff, especially female supervisors.

⮚ In each Project and Head Office, ask women staff what changes would make it more “gender-friendly”, organization and implement the recommendations

Safety & Security Responsibility

⮚   Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security policy of FH. Lapses in safe conduct can jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff.

⮚ Every FHE staff member has an obligation to learn and understand the security situation where they are located. 

⮚ Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security.  This includes, but not limited to, personal safety, road safety, etc.

⮚  Has a responsibility to become familiar to social, cultural and other associated features of their duty stations;

⮚  Abstain from inappropriate or offensive behavior that can put FHE in a difficult position, impair operations, and jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff of FHE.

⮚ All FHE staff should promotes safe conducts and exercises caution in all work activities; staff should accountable for own personal and professional actions and conduct;

Job Requirements

Job Level Specifications

⮚  Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian foundation and beliefs as expressed in The Heartbeat: our Values, Vision, and Purpose.

⮚ Excellent writing skills in English with proven ability to review plan/reports with donor requirements/standards,

⮚  Computer literate in Microsoft Programs,

⮚ Strong Interpersonal skills,

⮚  Emotional maturity,

⮚  Cross-cultural Sensitivity,

⮚  Ability to work effectively under pressure.

⮚ Able to self-manage a diverse and dynamic set of responsibilities, proactively solve problems and / or suggest viable solutions while advancing goals and objectives;

Experience

⮚ Minimum of four years related experience and preferably in a similar program or INGO setting.

Education/Certifications

⮚  A minimum of Bachelor degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture or other related fields

⮚  Trainings in landscape management, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), Climate Change, Community Facilitation skill, 

Distinguishing Competencies

⮚       Strong computer skills and knowledge in the area of MS word, MS Excel, MS Access, PowerPoint, and email communication.

⮚       High level of initiative-taking.

⮚       Training on gender mainstreaming, gender analysis, community dialogue facilitation skills is an added advantage

Language

Proficiency in both spoken and written English. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Knowledge of the local language of the intervention area is preferred.

How to Apply

Women Candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Competent candidates can submit ONLY their application and CV to: recruitment_fhe@fh.org 

Candidates MUST refer the position title “NPFS Officer” on the subject line of their email and applications.