As a senior Project Coordinator for the Farmer to Farmer (F2F) project in Ethiopia, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to volunteer technical experts, host organizations and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist implementation of the F2F project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. 

• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding hosts and partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.

• Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project host organizations and stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the volunteer experts to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.

• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.

• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.

• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to F2F volunteer experts, host organizations and partners.

• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices. 

• Take a leading role in engaging with USAID and other IPs during country project director’s absence, participating in Feed the Future Implementing Partners meetings

• In close collaboration with the Program Manager and other in country Programs, oversee F2F integration with other CRS programming in Ethiopia

• Lead in establishing partnership linkages/engagement roles with the private sector at the higher end of the value chains as described in the F2F country project strategies

• Support CP in new business development as and when required

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

• A minimum of Bachelor's Degree in agriculture or related development field is required. A Master’s Degree in the field of agriculture and/or livestock would be a plus.

• 3 years relevant experience for MA or 5 years relevant experience for BA degree, ideally in the field of administration or project management for an NGO.

• Additional education may substitute for some experience; additional experience may substitute for some education.

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.

• More engagement with USAID and other IPs during country project director’s absence

• Play a bigger role in integrating F2F within CRS programming in Ethiopia

• More linkages/engagement roles with the private sector at the higher end of the value chains

• Playing a more oversight role in hosts and volunteer management

• Supporting CP in new business development

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills 

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment

• Good relationship management skills, communication skills and the ability to work closely with local partners

• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

• Culturally sensitive, patient and trustworthy 

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English

Travel Required: Up to 50% field travel in Ethiopia

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: None

Internal: F2F Project Director, F2F MEAL Manager, Administration Manager, HR Manager, Deputy Finance Manager – Projects 

External:  F2F host organizations, Partners, Department of Agriculture, other Government ministries/institutions at the county level, civil society and faith-based organizations providing agriculture and livelihood services, universities/research institutions

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through THIS LINK and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on December 21, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.