VSO ETHIOPIA JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Program Officer Livelihoods Responsible to: Technical Advisor Livelihoods Direct reports: International and National Volunteers Duty Station/Location: Addis Ababa Service duration: Role purpose: One year with possibility of extension based on performance and availability of fund Program Management and Delivery of interventions under the Livelihoods Programing: VSO s Livelihoods Program is focused on Youth enterprise, employability, engagement and mobilisation. It aims to develop a resilient livelihoods program framework that reaches out to marginalised groups including women and PWD in different parts of the country. It focuses on skill building, active citizenship, market linkages and creating/using platforms for Youth participation and engagement. Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills, Knowledge & Experience Required Program Delivery and Implementation Lead project planning and implementation to ensure project outcome is delivered within the quality required by the program and set schedule, budgets and scope Provide a key co-ordination and leadership role, ensuring project management standards are followed and deadlines met Conduct regular performance review of the targets as set under our Volunteering for development and global results framework. Ensuring program identified risk are managed and SMT is well informed of such considerations Work closely with the Technical Advisor, to design and develop projects with sound project log frames and other project management products and ensure milestones are met and outcome and impact are achieved as planned Successful achievement of project targets including project outcome and impact Effective delivery of projects within the agreed timeline, budget with due consideration given for Value for Money Continuously meeting Monthly, quarterly and annual budget expenditure Plans and always being on top of project s budgets Abreast project management including good M&E plans and coordination of regional & Working together Adds value: Proactively enables and encourages teamwork in others. Communicating and influencing Adds Value: Proactively builds relationships and generates effective discussion and mutual support for plans and ideas Managing knowledge Adds Value: Proactively seeks out new knowledge sources (people and data); uses and shares knowledge effectively Striving for excellence Adds Value: Essential: Degree in relevant social science fields with strong youth livelihoods, leadership and engagement experience Minimum of five years work experience out of which at least three years shall be in INGO, donor environment, with excellent experience of designing and implementation of Youth Livelihoods and leadership programs Good understanding of the country s socio-economic context, livelihoods opportunities, youth engagement platforms, and the private sector
Work closely with the Technical Advisor to support with business development and new project initiation plan, including identifying new potential areas of engagement, project outcome description, monitoring and Evaluation plan and tools Support the Technical Advisor in the development and delivery of the Signature Program through sound project implementation that ensure VSO s core approaches integration in all livelihoods projects with a focus on Resilience, Social Inclusion and Gender and Social Accountability Closely work with the other project officers in the education and health sectors as appropriate, to ensure integration of activities contributing to community resilience Partnership Management Responsible for the identification, establishment, development and maintenance of partnerships with project relevant stakeholders that are critical to execute the program effectively. This may include Regional and Federal Bureaus, CSOs and other implementing partners Build effective relationships with project partners and stakeholders, engaging them at each project stage, ensuring clear communications line with the appropriate content and tone Depending on the type and level of the partnership, draft and recommend the appropriate partnership agreement protocols, including an MoU, Grant agreement, and Contract Agreements, etc. global team inputs, when relevant, to meet project targets Demonstration of good partnership management and networking evidenced in reviews, evaluation and consultations Excellent utilisation of volunteers and promotion of volunteerism for development approach across projects and partners engagements Full compliance of donor requirements as outlined in project agreements High quality and timely reports (both internal and external) Good practice, learning and knowledge shared within country, region and to wider organisation Embrace VSO s institutional values, principles and code of conducts with commitment to Sets and measures challenging objectives for self and others; gives evidence-based feedback that helps others to excel. Managing Resources Aware: Spends VSO s money responsibly; organizes own work to meet objectives on time. Managing People Aware: Requests and follow up on appropriate support from others; raises concerns about uncooperative colleagues in an appropriate way Developing people Aware: Gives constructive feedback that helps others identify and meet development needs. Leading for the future Aware: Is enthusiastic about VSO s work, lives VSO s values and is open to new ideas Thinking strategically Aware: Understands the context of own role; considers impact of own work on others. Delivering results Adds Value: Produce work of acceptable quality on time; responds to requests in a helpful way. Proven experience in Project management and leadership which includes project designing, implementation, coordination, and evaluation, and project result and outcome reporting to donors Experience of program development focused on using/accessing assets in skills, social capital, finance and information and natural resources, Knowledge of successful livelihoods initiatives, youth networks, and linkages with CSOs working in similar field Demonstrated ability in partnership establishment and development for program achievement Self-motivated and strategic thinker willing to go out from a comfort zone to embrace new ideas Demonstrated experience in managing and working with teams of multi-disciplinary professions and cultures Very good communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, particularly in a cross-cultural environment able to work with a diverse support team and volunteers Sound level of resource
Conduct partnership review meetings, workshops, and regular consultation meetings to strengthen partnership values and commitments, and to inform future planning including due consideration of sustainability Participate in international, regional and national forums for knowledge sharing and collaboration based on evidence emerging from project implementation. Volunteer Management and Support Identify the program s overall volunteer need including international, national and community volunteers under his/her portfolio Define the profile of each volunteer role and its technical input, and how it is incorporated within the program under his/her management through a robust Job Description Actively engage in volunteer recruitment process, particularly in candidate shortlisting and assessment for placement approval by closely working with resourcing team Provide technical support and advice to volunteers to identify and promote clear linkages between their work objectives and the program level objectives of the livelihoods program Manage all volunteers under his/her program following VSO s volunteer management guideline and using consultation/feedback received from partner institutions Ensuring value for money in volunteer mobilization and utilization with strong its approach mobilisation and policy engagement experience Desired Post Graduate Degree in relevant field Passionate about Youth program and ability to connect to primary actors Experience of working in multicultural, international setting Experience in successful business development and resource mobilisation Technical knowledge of M&E Programmatic understanding of VSO s core approaches of Social Inclusion, Social Accountability and Resilience Significant level of understanding of the country context in VSOE target locations (more focus on emerging regions) Ability to demonstrate: Planning and Time Management Excellent in prioritising tasks, time management, effective while working under pressure with tight deadlines Representation and negotiation skills ability to negotiate difficult deals and maintain relations with
promotion of skill sharing and sustainability Maintain up to date record and documentation of visit outcomes and volunteer placement reviews in the system Provide the necessary information on time to VSO Ethiopia administrative staff to secure required operational/admin support to volunteers Ensuring commitments and agreements expressed with authorities and donors are met with regard to volunteer utilization Reporting and Documentation Ensure quality project reporting through compilation and documentation of period reports showing progress and learning made in project delivery for both internal and external use Closely work with the Technical Advisor to capture key program implementation learnings into business development efforts of the team Compile appropriate information to inform sector Ministerial, Donor and other reporting requirements Work closely with the Technical Advisor on documentation of best practices for the purpose of knowledge generation and fundraising Participate in the Livelihoods community of practice to share learning and knowledge generated in the implementation of the livelihoods projects. Budget Management The PO will be the budget holder for the project under his/her portfolio accountable for planning, implementing and monitoring of its budget stakeholders Financial - Experience of successfully planning, monitoring and management of budgets with a proven ability to develop and monitor project budgets Communication - Excellent verbal and written communications Partnership development and management skill Advanced computer skills in MS Office word, outlook and excel. Ability to travel and spend significant amount of time out of Addis Flexibility to adapt, positive attitude towards change, and constructive and creative approach to problem solving Strong team player Commitment to VSO s values
Prepare annual, quarterly and monthly budget expenditure plans that are realistically aligned with program activities and targets; including a procurement plan to be shared with the operation team Work closely with the Finance team to ensure effective planning and utilisation of project budgets to achieve good value for money Ensure government and donor compliance requirements are fully met in relation to project financial expenditures, including the ChSA legal framework, and coordinate with finance team to its fulfilment Review monthly, quarterly and annual variance reports of projects under his/her portfolio and provide required justification and remedial action to all concerned Other Duties Actively contribute towards the development and effective implementation of VSO-E Country Strategy Plan and work closely and collaboratively to assist VSO-E in delivering its objectives, Lead on assigned thematic areas in Livelihoods, (like Gender, Youth Engagement, etc), to keep abreast knowledge generation in country for program quality Represent VSO-E and the sector as agreed with the Technical Advisor and/or Head of Program with different partnership engagements and task forces Fulfill other appropriate level responsibilities as defined by the Country Office from time to time.