CARE is an international NGO with local staff and community partners in more than 90 countries. We create local solutions to poverty and inequality and we seek dignity for everyone every day and during times of crisis. These solutions have a broad range, from clean water to access to education; from microfinance to ensuring that everyone has nutritious food; from agriculture and climate change to disaster response. CARE puts women and girls at the center of everything we do because they have proven to be the best hope for creating lasting change in the world. Our staff live where they work, which makes us effective at understanding the challenges they face. We’ve been doing this for over 70 years, since World War II. It started with the world’s first CARE Package® of food for the post-war hungry in Europe. Our work today is as important as ever, we believe that poverty and inequality are historic injustices that we can end within a generation, for good. If you share our core beliefs: poverty is an injustice; poverty is solvable; and together, we have the power to end it, join us.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Officer will act as the key technical support person supporting the implementation and accomplishment of all natural resource and disaster risk management related activities within the Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA) program. The position will be field based in the operational areas (Somali and Oromia National Regional States). With supervision and direction from the NRM & DRM Specialist at field level, the NRM/ DRM Officer will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of NRM/ DRM related activities as per the established RIPA program work plan and implementation guidelines. The DRM/NRM Officer will act as the key field level staff supporting the implementation and accomplishment of all Disaster Risk and Natural Resource Management related activities and programming that fall under the Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA)Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Job Responsibility # 1: Technical Support (50% of time)

• Support the implementation of all DRM/NRM related field activities in the area of operation, as per the agreed on annual work plan, under the guidance and support of the NRM/DRM Specialist.
• Support the process of inclusive, responsive and holistic multi-stakeholder DRM/NRM planning and implementation,
• Support the facilitation of DRM and NRM approaches, trainings, and community based dialogues and events for field stakeholders, to support sound implementation of NRM/DRM activities.
• Regularly provide feedback to the DRM/NRM Specialist and DRM/NRM Technical Advisors on the progress of DRM and NRM activities in the field, through reporting, articulating successes, challenges and providing recommendations to maximize impact.
• Provide support to C2 (Alternative livelihoods), C3 (Intensified Livestock Production and Marketing) and C4 (Nutrition and WASH): around environmentally sustainable practices related to their field activities.
• Support linking and harmonization of NRM activities with other components of RiPA activities, particularly those related to Livelihoods (C2), C3 (Intensified Livestock Production and Marketing)  and C4 (Improved and Sustained Nutrition and Hygiene Practices).
• Provide technical support in the implementation of the Participatory Rangeland Management plans and Climate Adaptation Action plans at the field level, supporting all sectors to adopt community-led plans. 
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships, formal and informal communication mechanisms with all NRM/DRM stakeholders at field-level, and within the RiPA project and CARE’s field programming on NRM/ DRM.
• Facilitate or strengthen field-level networks and forums on NRM/DRM related activities in the program implementation areas.
• Working with Gender Specialists, ensure Gender mainstreaming approaches in all NRM/ DRM activities.

Job Responsibility # 2: Capacity Building (15 % of time)

• Identify areas for further capacity development on NRM/DRM for field level government staffs, partners and communities.
• Under the guidance of the NRM/DRM specialist work closely with and support implementing partners and program participants in the implementation of identified approaches; provide guidance and co-facilitate activities as per the program’s approach.
• Participate in and support trainings, workshops and dialogue sessions, resource and beneficiary assessments and other capacity-building activities, as and when required.

Job Responsibility # 3: Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (15 % of time)

• Develops quality Activity Concept Notes reflecting the program approaches and processes through the established review/ approval cycle.
• With support of direct supervisor (NRM & DRM Specialist), facilitate regular review and reflection meetings with partners in the field to assess accomplishments, challenges and lessons learned with respect to NRM and DRM activities that support resilience objectives.
• Provide regular reports and on-going feedback on NRM and DRM activities to the NRM/DRM Specialist / DRM/NRM Technical Advisors, as appropriate.
• Make recommendations on how programs can be improved and adjusted to incorporate on-going learning towards maximizing impact.
• Monitor progress and evaluate successes, challenges and lessons-learned in application of the RiPA NRM/DRM approaches.
• Actively participate in regular team planning and review meetings; support identification of follow-up activities based on learning and findings from previous activities and implementation.
• Contributes to the development of field-level work plans, reflecting the larger work plan and approaches for strengthening facilitation of NRM/DRM activities.
• Ensures the program captures and responds to up-to-date information about NRM/DRM within the local operational context.
• Collaborating with the field M&E Specialist personnel, ensures all NRM/DRM, development activities are appropriately documented and that data is captured as per established systems of the RiPA program.
• Contribute to case studies, success stories and best-practice example documentation and write-ups 

Job Responsibility # 4: Coordination, Representation and Networking (15 % of time)

• ·        Establish and/or maintain strong working relationships, formal and informal communication mechanisms with all NRM/DRM stakeholders at Regional, woreda and community levels and within the RiPA project and CARE’s field programming on NRM/DRM.
• ·        Support the identification and systematic inclusion of key NRM/DRM government stakeholders at local and regional level in all relevant activities and processes. 
• ·        Coordinate systematically with the other components field–based staffs to ensure harmonization of approach in activity implementation, and supporting activities across sectors.
• ·        Support buy-in and enhanced understanding of RiPA’s approach, strategy and intended impact in relation to NRM/DRM among communities, local government and other relevant stakeholders at the field level.
• ·        Coordinate and create linkages among community institutions and stakeholders, government offices, and research institutions, in support of strengthening governance and a systems approach to NRM/DRM.
• ·        Liaise with the field staff to ensure RiPA activities are appropriately harmonized with GO and NGO interventions and initiatives.
• Represents and ensures buy-in to RiPA’s tools and approaches; such as, Participatory Rangeland Management (PRM) and the Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) among relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate information exchange as appropriate.

Job Responsibility # 5: Other duties (5 % of time)

• ·        Promote and adhere to the principles and objectives of CARE Ethiopia and its programs;
• ·        Represent CARE professionally during and after work hours and perform any other duties assigned by supervisor.

GENDER EQUALITY

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth and social inclusion issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions/programming

Job Requirements

• BSc in the field of Disaster Risk Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Climate Change and Society, Environmental Management, or other related fields or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Desired:

• Master's Degree in Disaster Risk Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Climate Change and Society, Environmental Management, or other related field of study.
• Strong professional background in NRM/DRM as well as a minimum of 3 years of proven work experience in those fields is required.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3 years proven field based working experience for Maters Degree and 2 years for BA Degree Holders in NRM and DRM in pastoralist / lowland / dryland areas and willingness as well as ability to spend extensive time to work on field.
• Experience working within a development oriented NGO in environment and pastoralist contexts.
• Practical experience in the facilitation of multi-stakeholder NRM and DRM activities.
• Experience of promoting Gender quality in development activities

Technical Skills & Knowledge

Required

• Proficiency in verbal and written English 
• Understanding of DRM and NRM tools and approaches including understanding of opportunities and challenges in pastoralist context
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills in working within a multi–disciplinary team and ability to liaise with government, community leaders and other stakeholders at all levels
• Skills in organizing and facilitating community dialogues, workshops and training events.
• Experience of working in Afar / Oromia / Somali Region
• Experience of working in Afar / Oromia / Somali Region

Desired:

• Knowledge of Market Systems development
• Knowledge of gender dynamics in pastoralist context
• Able to work in a very challenging environment and context.

CONTACTS / KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent is expected to establish and maintain open and cordial relationship with relevant government partners, local government officials, donors and other development organizations working in the Pastoralist, NRM and DRM arena, in order to obtain the required support and collaboration for the smooth coordination and implementation of program activities.

The incumbent is also expected to maintain good working relationships with consortium partners, and staff members, and all MERCY CORPS / RiPA staff to promote and ensure complementary of development efforts and synergy of activities and results

How to Apply

CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners.

CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.

By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.

If you are interested to be part of our dynamic team, exciting work environment and contribute to CARE Ethiopia’s mission and vision, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and cover letter (not more than one page) through CLICK HERE

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply, especially women! CARE seeks to improve the lives of the most marginalized, particularly women and girls. Our diversity is our strength. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.