Project Officer – DICE Project

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish development cooperation organisation and the second largest provider of humanitarian assistance. We operate in 15 countries, where the needs are most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.

FCA is implementing the DICE Project in Ethiopia. It is a skills-development and labour transition project aimed at providing 100 youth (refugee and host communities) from TVET institutions with specialised technical and entrepreneurship skills, knowledge, resources, and access to networks necessary to tap into economic opportunities in Ethiopia’s growing creative industry and digital economy.

Role Purpose

The Project Officer will primarily provide technical support in the implementation of the DICE Project. S/he will engage in regular coordination and consultation with the Country Lead; provide technical inputs during planning, implementation, and completion of the project; monitor the implementation and progress of project activities; and ensure timely completion of deliverables based on FCA’s tools and standards. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills and a deep understanding of the creative industries and digital economy in Ethiopia.

Specific Responsibilities

Programming / Project Implementation

1. Conceptualizes, plans and implements activities that support the completion of project goals and objectives in coordination with the Country Lead and technical advisors.
2. Develops activity proposals that detail rationale, target beneficiaries, activity design, expected outcomes, and activity budget.
3. Regularly provides technical inputs to all on-going project activities.
4. Ensures results-based implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation of outcomes of project interventions in the project highlighting their impact on project participants, as well as the estimation and reporting of total reach.

Networking, Partnership and Advocacy

1. Coordinates closely with other FCA staff such as thematic advisors and administration & finance staff in delivering programs in the project area.
2. Develops linkages with different stakeholders such as local government units, national and local government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector towards building a support network for the project.
3. Serves as resource person on the project in FCA’s Addis Ababa Program Office.
4. Attends and participates as a representative of FCA to partners’ meetings, workshops, trainings, conferences related to the project.

Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Ensures documentation of project activities to meet reporting requirements of FCA donor and strategic partners.
2. Conducts regular monitoring of project activities using FCA’s tools and guidelines.

Administration

1. Secures budget allocation for the implementation of project activities.
2. Monitors balance of budget allocated for the project.
3. Ensures the appropriate use and security of assets and equipment assigned.

Others

1. Contributes to the wider achievement of goals for target communities under the overall context of Finn Church Aid in Ethiopia by participating in planning and coordination meetings as requested.
2. Performs any other duties and tasks commensurate with the responsibilities and level of the post.

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree in the social sciences or related field.
• At least five (5) years of work experience in program administration or other related fields; work experience in the development setting (NGO) is a plus.
• Demonstrated understanding of the local Creative Industries and Digital Economy dynamics and ecosystem.
• Demonstrated competencies in community mobilization, coordination, and partnership – preferably in Addis Ababa with experience on youth engagement, livelihoods, and market systems development.
• Understanding of the Ethiopian TVET system, labour market, political environment, local governance, and youth related issues.
• Willingness and ability to travel in other Ethiopian regions as needed.