Project Officer – Afar

Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V.

Hoffnungszeichen | Sign of Hope e.V. (SoH) is a Christian faith based International Humanitarian Relief, Development Cooperation and Human Rights organization that plans, operates and supports projects and programmes in more than 20 countries in the world. The organization was founded and headquartered in Germany. SoH thematic focus areas are in Health and Nutrition, WASH, Food Security and sustainable livelihoods support, Access to Basic Education, Human Rights, Emergency Relief and Resilience Building through own-implemented and partner implemented projects and programmes. SoH provides emergency relief worldwide and regionally whilst linking relief, rehabilitation and development measures.

The organization’s East Africa Branch (EAB) office is located in Nairobi, Kenya with other offices across the East Africa Region. The primary goal of SoH EAB is to address humanitarian and developmental challenges within East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan) while increasing capacity of local structures. SoH Ethiopia is currently implementing a number of projects through partners in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), Afar, Amhara and other regions.

Job Title: Project Officer

Reports to: Ethiopia Country Representative

Job Location: Samara, Afar Ethiopia

Start Date: August 2022

Summary of core duties

The Project Officer establishing and overseeing a functional office in Samara Afar Region of Ethiopia for the SoH humanitarian and Developmental projects. S/he manages information and reporting processes and products to ensure high-quality communication in SoH´s humanitarian and Developmental activities and results. The Project Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Country Representative and closely works with Partners, Ethiopian Office and EAB team.

Key responsibilities

Project management.

• Define the scope of the project in collaboration with the management; create a detailed work plan which identifies and sequences the activities needed to successfully complete the project.
• Review the project schedule with the management and all the other staff that will be affected by the project activities; revise the schedule as required.
• In consultation with the supervisor and implementing partners, undertake in project planning and coordination to ensure timely and quality implementation of all program activities.
• Oversee day-to-day coordination and delivery of project activities in conjunction with partners.
• Review the quality of the work completed by the partner on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Evaluate activity progress and determine necessary actions to course correctly.
• Organize and participate in periodic meetings to discuss program progress; record and follow up on the execution of agreed action points as per the work plan, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and donor/partner agreements/contract.
• Review/Compile/develop internal and external project narrative progress report in coordination with the partners and other SoH staff; following up on partner grant reporting when requested.
• Determine the objectives and measures upon which the project will be evaluated at its completion.
• Set up files to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented and secured.
• Track project deliverables using appropriate tools within budget and at the required level of quality.
• Where need be, develop forms and records to document project activities.
• Ensure timely reporting both narrative and financial.

Stakeholders and partner management and engagement

• Identify partners locally who are well positioned to support SoH’s mission including the ongoing programmes and projects.
• Coordinate with other NGOs, local and private sector players working within the operational areas to expand opportunities for partnerships.
• Participate in local partnership and networking meetings.

Undertake any other duties assigned by the supervisor in line with your profession.

Job Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant Project Management, International development, Agriculture/livestock/rangeland management, or related
• Minimum of five years of experience working project management, 3 years of minimum experience with NGOs. Experience working in marginalized and hard to reach areas will be added advantage.
• Previous experience in implementation/management of Emergency and Developmental projects. Experience in implementing major donor (BMZ, ECHO, GIZ etc.) funded projects will be an added advantage.
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating M&E systems from project initiation to close out.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance management, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Experience in planning and managing surveys, developing and refining data collection tools, and with data quality assessments and oversight.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences; ability to design and implement efficient workflows and procedures.
• Fluency in English and Amharic; excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Computer proficiency in Windows environment and data management software.
• Willingness to travel to different locations.

Desired

• Knowledge of the local context.
• Knowledge of Project management, including project design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowing additional local language skills is considered an asset.