Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Why we need you?

We are looking for Project Coordinator; MHPSS who will be responsible to lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the MHPSS Project’s activities, in accordance with the organizational standards and strategies

What we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

As Project Coordinator, you will be in charge of the following:

• Lead the planning of the MHPSS Project in line with the organization’s mission, policies, strategies and available resources.

• Coordinate the implementation of MHPSS Project activities.

• Build positive relationships with the community and/or local authorities.

• Build a strong network of partner organizations.

• Build and manage a strong Project team.

• Ensures that mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place and functioning well.

• Work in close cooperation with other key support co-workers (e.g. financial and administrative staff) within the ‘integrated approach’.

• Foster good relationship and maintain close cooperation with local government authorities, recognized community leadership, like-minded groups, organizations and/or institutions operating with the local community, who share the organization’s vision, as well as those who provide complementary services.

• Lead and supervise the Project team.

• Represent the Project as well as the organization at internal and external forums

• Carry out a feasibility study or up-date existing information for starting MHPSS Project in a particular community ensuring participation of key stakeholders.

• Identify key stakeholders including the local government, community-based partners and Project participants and ensure their active participation in the Project design and implementation.

• Draw-up an initial action plan based on the findings from the feasibility study, followed by annual plans with concrete Project activities based on the analysis findings and in line with the organization’s mission, policies, strategic priorities and available resources.

• Lead the implementation of MHPSS Project activities with partners according to the objectives, actions and periods outlined in the project plan and joint action plan.

• Ensure that the Project operates in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.

• Ensure that a proper Project intake process is implemented through an initial assessment process and the systematic prioritization of cases in collaboration with key stakeholders involved in the management/coordination of the Project.

• Coordinate the development of a comprehensive Project service package according to the findings in the initial assessment. Capacity building of all participants through the implementation MHPSS planning process.

• Build a strong network of partner organizations. Where appropriate formalize these partnerships through Memorandum of Understandings (MOU).

• Participate in governmental and/or community forums dealing with MHPSS issues affecting our target group.

• Build good relations with the local media (e.g. community radio), so that MHPSS issues in general as well as the organization’s mission and objectives can be promoted on a regular basis.

• Follow professional recruitment processes for new staff (draw-up advert, screening of applications, interviews, and reference checks) in consultation with direct superior.

• Plan orientation for new project staff to ensure they have a good understanding of the organization and their role within it.

• Ensure effective performance management systems are implemented for all Project staff, including job descriptions, regular review sessions, and annual performance appraisal, in line with the required practices of the national association.

• Ensure that individual staff/volunteer training and development needs are identified and that these are addressed through staff development measures, according to priorities and available resources.

• Be a supportive and understanding superior, on whom staff and volunteers can depend. Build a culture of learning and openness amongst staff and volunteers.

• Build a culture and understanding of and foster positive attitude towards working on community based development issues and rights based approaches.

• Ensure that the organization’s financial resources are used modestly and efficiently.

• Implement financial and administrative procedures, in line with policies/guidelines of the national association and in consultation with financial support staff.

• Ensure all Project expenditure/resource usage is in line with the project plan and budget

• Put in place effective monitoring and evaluation plans and systems, based on the international systems requirements, as a basis for ongoing monitoring, self-evaluation and external impact evaluation. These tools shall facilitate both quantitative and qualitative evaluation, using participatory approaches.

• Provide direct superior with regular up-dates on Project activities and results, including regular written reports on a monthly/quarterly basis as required

• Participate in local, national and regional processes, meetings and structures within the organization as required and agreed with the direct superior.

• Document and share good practices and lessons learned with colleagues to support organizational learning.

• Prepare Project information as required for public relations and fund development purposes.

• Keep track of MHPSS issues in general as well as current social development issues and trends relevant to the organization’s mission

Child safeguarding

• Responsible to take part in awareness raising sessions and capacity building trainings in relation to MHPSS

• Support children and young people to make them understand the CS risks and protection mechanisms

• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS team at program level and/or to the respective line manager

• This job description outlines only the general scope of activity and the basic tasks and responsibilities associated with this position. It may be supplemented with a more detailed definition of tasks, responsibilities and work-plan and is subject to change at the discretion of the direct superior.

Job Requirements

Must Criteria

• MA or BA Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social work or related.

• Minimum of 3/5 years relevant work experience as MHPSS Project Coordinator

• Who have experience in coordinating Trauma healing/counseling center

• Who have certificate in MHPSS / Trauma healing skill training

• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation.

• Excellent command of English languages and good communication skills, including both written and verbal. Preferably fluent in the language(s) spoken in the program’s target communities.

• Positive and professional approach: highly organized, able to work independently, using initiative and keeping commitments, leading a team;

• Good knowledge of children’s rights.

• Awareness and understanding of social development issues including gender, education, health, HIV/AIDS, etc.

• Basic financial skills.

• Basic human resource development skills.

• Basic computer skills (Windows, Word, Excel, and power point)

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Understanding of child rights issues: knowledge in the area of child rights, child protection, child development and family & community development; knowledge of relevant local and national laws, regulations and protocols.

• MHPSS skills to build the capacities of families, children and partner organizations.

• Leadership: able to build effective teams, motivate high performance, and generate commitment to the program goals.

• Communication & networking skills: ability to foster effective relationships with the key stakeholders of the program including the local authorities, community leadership, partner organizations and participating families. Ability to represent the organization externally.

• Collaboration: driven to work with others, able to build partnerships and networks internally and externally.

• Functional skills: financial management, HR management, project cycle management

• Should be honest, ready to continuously learn, inclusive, result oriented & initiated to work

• NGO experience is advantageous

How to Apply

Excited to take on a new Challenge..

Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact detail of there references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS) HERE

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.