POSITION:          Communities of Practice (CoP) Specialist 

REPORTS TO:    LME Director 

DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa 

PROGRAM: USAID-Empowered Communities Activity 

MINIMUM HOURS OF WORK:40 hours per week               

Code of Conduct 

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together, we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Activity background 

Project HOPE is an international NGO of more than 500 engaged employees and hundreds of volunteers who work in more than 25 countries, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. 

Empowered Communities Activity is a USAID funded activity implemented by Project HOPE led consortium that includes JSI, Amhara Women’s Association (AWA), Mothers and Children Multisectoral Development Organization (MCMDO), Progynist, and Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (EFGA). The activity will be implemented in the next four years between January 18,2024 to 17 January 2028 in five regions of Ethiopia (Oromia, Amhara, Afar, South Ethiopia and central Ethiopia regions). The goal of this activity is to strengthen community systems and platforms to improve health and nutrition outcomes. USAID ECA aims to improving community level health literacy and engagement, capacity strengthening of non-state actors (NSAs) and accountability systems as well as increasing service delivery through NSA managed health facilities.

Project HOPE strives to achieve a higher level of engagement by the community whereby members develop influence and take ownership in the decision-making processes that can improve their own health status. One of the expected result areas is to increase delivery of quality RMNCAH-N services through local NSA health facilities through Improved enabling environment for NSA engagement in the delivery of RMNCAH-N services; increased access to quality RMNCAH-N services in NSA managed health facilities and RMNCAH-N program learning, and innovative ventures enhanced for NSA managed health facilities. 

 Job Summary  

The Community of Practice Specialist will be responsible for developing, managing, and nurturing communities of practice (CoPs) under USAID ECA. This role will involve facilitating knowledge sharing, fostering engagement among community members, and driving the continuous improvement and growth of the CoPs. The ideal candidate will possess strong facilitation and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of knowledge management practices.

 Specific roles 

• Organize and lead regular meetings, workshops, webinars, podcasts, and events for the communities of practice.

• Encourage active participation and engagement from community members.

• Develop and disseminate best practices, guidelines, and strategies for members’ use.

• Facilitate discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive environment and ensure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI) across the communities who participate.

• Identify and recruit potential new members to join the communities of practice.

• Foster a sense of belonging, trust, and collaboration within the communities.

• Develop and implement strategies to sustain and expand the communities of practice.

• Capture and document key insights, lessons learned, and best practices shared within the communities.

• Ensure that knowledge is accessible and retrievable for all community members.

• Utilize appropriate tools and platforms for knowledge management and sharing.

• Maintain regular communication with community members through newsletters, forums, and social media.

• Promote community activities, achievements, and events.

• Serve as a liaison between the communities of practice and organizational leadership.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the communities of practice.

• Collect and analyze feedback from community members to identify areas for improvement.

• Implement improvements based on feedback and industry best practices.

• Provide support to community members to facilitate connections and collaborations.

• Offer training and resources to enhance the skills and knowledge of community members.

• Work closely with Communications Advisor, the Research and Knowledge Management Advisor and other technical team of USAID ECA and Project HOPE.

• Address any challenges or issues that arise within the communities of practice.

• Perform other activities assigned by the senior management team.

 Qualification 

• Masters degree or above in a related field (e.g, Health , Education, Communications, Knowledge Management, Organizational Development). 

• Eight (8) Year Proven experience in community management, facilitation, or a similar role.

• Strong facilitation and mediation skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with collaboration and communication tools (e.g., forums, social media, knowledge management systems).

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Analytical skills to assess community needs and evaluate program effectiveness.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in knowledge management or organizational development.

• Familiarity with online collaboration tools and platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint).

• Previous experience in a similar role within a large organization or network.

How To Apply

Interested applicants can send their CV and cover letter through THIS LINK on or before July 06, 2024, by 5:00 PM.

Qualified female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Due to the large number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.