Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD) is a non-profit, indigenous civil society organization established in 1999 with the aim of improving the health, wellbeing, and socio-economic status of communities across Ethiopia. Since its inception, MSD has evolved into a leading development and humanitarian organization implementing evidence-based programs that address the diverse needs of vulnerable populations.
MSD's programmatic focus spans multiple sectors, including Health and Nutrition (TB, HIV/AIDS, SRH, MNCH), Education (access to quality education, TVET, and skills development), Social Mobilization and Livelihood (economic strengthening and prevention of HTPs, GBV, and FGM), Migration and Trafficking (safe migration and rehabilitation of returnees and victims), Child Care and Development (child protection, early childhood care, and infant feeding), and Human Rights and Good Governance (democratization, peace building, and dialogue).
In addition, MSD engages in Humanitarian and Emergency Response (supporting disaster-affected and displaced communities) and Environment and Climate Change (promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation). Through these integrated interventions, MSD works closely with government institutions, community structures, and development partners to foster inclusive growth, equity, and resilience at all levels of society.
In collaboration with Jhpiego, the lead implementing partner, MSD is rolling out the Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) Project—a one-year, multi-regional initiative aimed at strengthening maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCHN), improving infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, and enhancing health security across Ethiopia. The project adopts a geographic clustering model to ensure efficient and context-responsive implementation across pastoralist, agrarian, and semi-urban woredas.
MSD is looking for qualified and competent applicants for the following position:
Position: Woreda Facilitation Officer
Reports to: Project Coordinator
Term of Employment: Contract
Sex: Female/Male
Staff required: One for Each Woreda
Duty Station: Gidan, Lasta, Meket, Abergele (AM), Gaz Gibla and Sekota in Amhara Region.
Salary: As per the organization scale
The Woreda Facilitation Officer will play a pivotal role in strengthening community-level health systems and public health emergency management (PHEM) within the assigned woreda. As a public health professional with deep experience engaging Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and implementing Health Extension Program (HEP) packages, the Facilitation Officer will support community structures to enhance the effectiveness of MNCH, nutrition, and immunization services. This role involves ensuring strong linkages between health posts and cluster health centers through regular supervision, review meetings, and supply coordination. The Facilitation Officer will also provide direct support to the woreda PHEM team—at the woreda office, health facilities, and community level—to improve preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Working closely with the Woreda MNCH Officer and cluster-level technical experts, the Facilitation Officer will address demand-side barriers, strengthen surveillance and outreach services, and ensure that vulnerable populations in hard-to-reach areas are effectively served. This position requires intensive field engagement, including travel by motorbike and walking in challenging terrain.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Woreda Facilitation Officer will be responsible for supporting community-level implementation of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), nutrition, immunization, and public health emergency preparedness activities. As a public health professional with strong experience working with Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and deep knowledge of the Health Extension Program (HEP) packages, national community engagement strategies, and community structures, the Facilitation Officer will play a key role in strengthening the link between communities and health facilities.
Key responsibilities include:
Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
Support the Woreda PHEM team in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts at the community and facility levels.
Contribute to surveillance, reporting, and other key PHEM functions in collaboration with woreda health authorities.
Grassroot Engagement and Support
Strengthen and mobilize community structures to support MNCH, nutrition, and immunization programs.
Address context-specific demand-side barriers to service uptake through culturally appropriate and locally informed strategies.
Support outreach services and community-level surveillance activities.
HEW and Health Post Support
Coordination and Linkage
Collaborate closely with the Woreda government and project MNCH Officer to ensure seamless referral and service linkage for mothers and children needing care at higher-level facilities.
Strengthen coordination between community-level actors and health centers to improve service delivery and responsiveness.
MEL, Collaboration and Reporting
Work in close coordination with cluster-level technical experts and the Woreda MNCH Officer to align activities and share progress.
Submit regular progress reports and maintain clear communication through established channels.
Field Engagement
Conduct intensive fieldwork, including travel by motorbike and walking in difficult terrain, to reach remote communities and service providers.
Ensure equitable access to services for families in hard-to-reach areas.
Job Requirements
Qualifications and Requirements
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Public Health, Health Education, Nursing, or a related field.
Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience working at the community level, particularly on PHEM and the Health Extension Program (HEP).
Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of PHEM strategies and approaches, the HEP packages, national community engagement strategies, and community health structures.
PHEM Expertise: Demonstrated experience supporting Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) functions at woreda, facility, and community levels, including preparedness, response, and recovery.
Grassroot Engagement: Proven ability to mobilize and strengthen community structures to support MNCH, nutrition, immunization, and outreach services.
Coordination Skills: Experience facilitating linkages between health posts and health centers and collaborating with woreda-level and multidisciplinary technical teams.
Field Readiness: Willingness and physical ability to conduct intensive fieldwork, including travel by motorbike and walking in difficult terrain to reach remote communities.
Communication and Reporting: Strong interpersonal, communication, and reporting skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment.
Mobility: Willingness to travel frequently within the woreda, including remote areas; possession of a valid motorbike driving license is required or preferred.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in the local language(s) spoken in the woreda is highly desirable.
How To Apply
A person who has no history of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEAH) can provide evidence from his/her previous employment.
How to Apply: Interested applicants are invited to click the link below to complete the application form for this position. We look forward to reviewing your application,
Woreda Facilitation Officer: Click at THIS LINK
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
The deadline for application is till November 7, 2025.
