Project Officers - Afar, Ethiopia

About Ayuda en Acción:

Ayuda en Acción Foundation is a secular, non-partisan international non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 1981 with a global commitment to fight against poverty, inequality, and exclusion. Its headquarters is in Madrid, Spain. The organization operates in 20 countries within Africa, South and Central America and Europe (Spain, Portugal). 

In Ethiopia, Ayuda en Acción has supported a range of humanitarian and development interventions through local and international partners between 2002 and 2017; an independent country program was established in 2018. Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia aspires to tackle poverty, inequalities and exclusion that perpetuate poverty. The organization perceives women, men, girls, and boys as the center of its efforts in the country, giving it an impetus to strengthen people’s and institutions’ capacities to meaningfully contribute to development and dignified life of all in Ethiopia. To achieve its mission, Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia has been working in Afar, Oromia and South Ethiopia Regional States in close cooperation with local and international partners, international research institutes, Government, and private sector actors.

Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia, as part of the institutional strategy, manages a range of projects: Food security and resilient food system, employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, value chain using market system, inclusive education and gender, humanitarian and resilience building within three program priorities: sustainable livelihoods and resilient food systems; inclusive education; and emergency response and resilience building. Ayuda en Acción are part of Alliance 2015, a strategic network of seven European NGOs engaged in humanitarian aid and development projects. 

Objective of the Position and reporting line:

The Project Officers are responsible for the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of the RAIZE project under Ayuda en Acción Ethiopia, specifically its deliverables within the Consortium project in Afar region. Their duties include community mobilization, organizing SMEs and SACCO groups, facilitate TVET skill training and employment linkage with private and public sectors, collaborate with government line offices, organize and facilitate on site short term training in close communication with the Area Manager and Consortium Project Manager. The position holder is accountable for ensuring quality implementation and adherence to technical standards in line with donor policies, procedures, and Ayuda en Acción’s regulations.

Under the direct supervision of the Area Program Manager, the Project Officer ensures frontline operation of planned project activities at district and kebele levels. S/he implements the development project, prepares all required reports, liaises with government signatories, partners, and communities, and performs additional tasks assigned by his/her immediate supervisor. The Project Officers will work closely with key stakeholders, including SMEs, SACCOs, Coops development office, TVETs, local and regional government bodies, and private business sectors.

Key Responsibilities:

i.  Project Implementation:

• Support the day-to-day implementation of project activities in line with the approved work plan, ensuring alignment with the revised project approach.
• Conduct community mobilization, target selection and registrations to raise awareness about the project’s objectives, particularly on entrepreneurship, SME development, and women-led SACCOs.
• Facilitate the establishment, organization, and capacity-building training of SMEs and women-led SACCOs in Telalak, Afambo, and Chifera.
• Support youth and women in identifying viable business opportunities and developing sustainable enterprises.
• Organize skills development trainings through TVET, workshops, and mentoring/coaching sessions to strengthen the capacity of youth and women in SMEs.
• Assist in organizing job placement and internship programs with local businesses and employers to enhance employability.
• Liaise with local government sectors and community leaders to ensure institutional support for SMEs and SACCOs and strengthen community engagement.

ii. Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting

• Monitor the progress of SME and SACCO establishment, youth and women engagement, and other project activities, and provide regular updates.
• Assist in collecting and analyzing data on the impact of the project on employment, entrepreneurship, and women-led initiatives.
• Prepare timely progress reports for submission to the Project Coordinator and Area Program Manager.
• Facilitate proper documentation of project design, processes, achievements, and best practices to showcase outcomes in women and youth empowerment.
• Ensure quality, timely implementation, and reporting in compliance with Ayuda en Acción and donor standards.

iii. Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Maintain strong working relationships with local government authorities, TVETs, private sector actors, cooperatives, SACCOs, training providers, and employers.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to provide necessary support for women and youth in starting businesses and improving employability.
• Work closely with cooperatives, SMEs, and community structures to enhance women-led participation and sustainability of enterprises.

iv. Perform additional task provided by immediate supervisor.