Mary Joy Ethiopia, the non-profit development oriented, organization with 28+ year experience dedicated to bringing long lasting improvement in the lives of the community it serves. The MJE’s program focuses on Livelihood Enhancement, Education, Health and institutional sustainability with cross cutting issues of Environmental Protection, AYSRH, HIV/AIDS, Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusiveness and Child protection.

The Project Officer is responsible for the smooth implementation and effectiveness of projects in the area of her/his assignment. She/he ensures effective and efficient project management and/or project coordination with the participation of communities, government offices, and other stakeholders in the implementation of project activities.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:     

• Coordinates and implements project activities under the direction of Program Director;
• Develop Project proposals for the RFAs and Support the preparation of the project budget
• Develop training manuals and modules in collaboration with MEL & Project Coordinator for the community committee, volunteers’ beneficiaries, and other stakeholders;
• Facilitates community mobilization and implementation of project activities;
• Supervises and monitors day-to-day activities of center project coordinators and senior community facilitators;
• Builds and maintains good working relationships with the community, stakeholders, and other partners;
• Supervises and technically supports ETEM project coordinators;
• Prepares annual and quarter operations plans under their supervision with its equivalent resource and submits them to the Program Director.
• Provides overall support, leadership, coordination, coaching, and supervision to center project coordinators and community facilitators;
• Devises strategies for participatory processes of selecting beneficiaries and involving target households and communities in project interventions in IGA and other program components;
• Coordinates capacity assessment for community task forces and prepares capacity-building plans in line with the project objectives and government guidelines;
• Ensures that all project interventions are carried out with full participation of the community, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the program;
• Ensures that the planned activities are implemented as per the implementation schedule set, required quality and quantity, and in accordance with the programming principles of the Organization;
• Conducts regular review meetings with the facilitators and partners at the local level, at least on a quarterly basis;
• Leads facilitators, volunteers, and community committee during need assessment;
• Controls data entry of HVC, Caregivers, CC, and Volunteers data into the database;
• Ensures that community facilitators record and keep all HVC, CC, Caregivers, and volunteers’ information in both hard and soft copies on respective sites.
• Guides service provision for each HVC based on program plan and need assessment;
• Devises strategies for community mobilization and organizes CBOs, community committees, and other relevant community groups to effectively participate in the program implementation process at each level;
• Make sure project beneficiaries are identified and selected in a participatory manner with full acknowledgment of the kebele administration, the community committee, and other responsible bodies in the community;
• Builds the capacity of CF, volunteers, a community committee, and other relevant community groups and target beneficiaries to undertake participatory monitoring of the implementation of the project;
• Closely works with government institution committees and other relevant groups to ensure their participation and contribution to the project;
• Collects basic information, good practices, and lessons learned and reports/records it;
• Guides direction and leads community conversation under his/her supervision;
• Compiles monthly, and quarterly progress reports of the respective towns under her/his;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Director

DEPARTMENT:  Program

REPORTS TO:  Program Director

Quantity Required: 1(One)

EDUCATION/TRAINING

• BSc/BA in Sociology/Development or related field.

EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of relevant work experience in implementing or managing projects preferably USAID-supported projects
• Project management and/or project coordination experience required
• Proven expertise in facilitating collaborative work with diverse partners engaged in complex projects;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with these partners and colleagues and build strong professional relationships and networks

TECHNICAL AND OTHER SKILLS

• Expertise in preparing thorough, well-written, and concise documents;
• Excellent in written and verbal communication skills in English, to convey concepts in a clear and concise way and to help stakeholders act on the information
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations, with particular emphasis on USAID
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite; experience in other computer programs desired;
• Ability to manage and coordinate diverse tasks and facilitate relationships among multiple parties
• Ability to work and effectively communicate across the project teams;
• Ability to work efficiently and independently;
• Good presentation and organizational skills and attention to detail
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, and sensitivity to HIV/AIDS;
• Conceptual understanding of participatory approach and sustainable development.