Inter religious council of Ethiopia is an umbrella organization made up of seven major religious institutions found in Ethiopia, namely the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (EOTC), the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC), the Ethiopian Catholic Church (ECC), the Evangelical Church Fellowship of Ethiopia (ECFE), the Ethiopian Seventh Day Adventist Church (ESDAC), the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and the Ethiopian Kale Hiwot Church (EKH). It was established as an independent and registered entity in 2010 and it has been certified by the then Ministry of Federal Affairs; now Ministry of Peace. Its objective includes promotion and systemization of inter-faith learning, collaboration and synergy to address issues of common concern such as peace building, conflict transformation and inter-faith dialogue. It also mainstreams the crosses cutting issues in all its development strategies such as HIV/AIDS, Human Trafficking, Climate change, and different harmful practices (Child marriage, FGM, GBV and domestic violence, etc.). Therefore, IRCE is the only institution of its kind in the country that promotes peace, culture of dialogue and enhances social wellbeing based on shared and common values of religious teachings.

IRCE has been awarded a grant by USAID Ethiopia to implement PEPFAR’s Faith based Retention and Adherence Initiative for 23 months based on availability of funding and performance. The grant intends to strengthen organizational capacity by the recipient and, concurrently, deliver strategic HIV advocacy, communication and social mobilization (ACSM) to faith-based audiences in close collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia in PEPFAR geographic focusing areas.

IRCE seeks a project director, who reports to the Secretary General of the organization. The Program director will be the most senior leader of the PEPFAR Faith-based Retention and Adherence Initiative project who will be in charge of coordinating all project program and technical, financial, operational, human resource and logistics management including handling donor communications. The program director will provide strategic guidance to teams and project staffs in ways that promote the organization’s culture.

S/he will be responsible for making key decisions and solving problems in short timeframes while ensuring operational and project technical quality and integrity. S/he will serve as the project’s main point of contact with USAID and relevant stakeholders.

 Key Performance Areas

Program Leadership

• Provide vision, leadership and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of the project;
• Provides overall leadership and project management in collaboration with the project team.
• Provides oversight of program implementation including all activities, outputs, and outcomes related to project management, including reporting, budget development and monitoring, financial transactions, execution of project plans, and project performance;
• Design and oversee annual project planning cycle to develop comprehensive annual work plans, detailed implementation plans with timeline resources for the project;
• Provide technical leadership and ensure the quality and sustainability of intervention;
• Ensures evidence generated from implementation is used to improve work plan development & manage changes to the project scope, project schedule and project costs;
• Ensure the project is technically sound, exhibiting global standards, evidence-based approaches, and consistently reflecting donor priorities and meeting donor expectations;
• Ensures technical assistance and organizational development support provided by USAID is augmented to meet its goals;
• Lead regular project reviews with project staff and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the project is delivering quality results within budget;
• Ensures adherence to USAID rules and regulations and oversee grant and compliance management to safeguard compliance with the terms of the award;
• Oversee and provide guidance on operational, financial, human resources, logistics  and activities throughout project life cycle for successful program delivery and results;
• Oversees budget pipeline development and budget monitoring.
• Perform risk management plan to minimize project risks.

Coordination and Stakeholders Management

• Acts as the primary project contact person to USAID and liaison, ensuring the project is represented in national technical, policy, and planning forums with USG and other key stakeholders;
• Report regularly to the USAID Mission to ensure transparency and awareness of project
• development and implementation, remaining cognizant of issues or challenges as they arise;
• Ensure close collaboration with IRCE’s departments for successful implementation of the project;
• Responsible for partnership management and collaboration with stakeholders, PRPFAR TA organization and implementing partners to ensure cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge-building to increase impact of the intervention;
• Represent IRCE and the project’s progress, achievements and lessons learned to donors and other key stakeholders, through meetings, conferences, and presentations;  

 Monitoring and Evaluation and Knowledge Management

• Work with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff to develop M&E frameworks and effectively track data/results;
• Oversees the maintenance of an electronic management information system with performance indicators and targets embedded in the DATIM for implementation and tracking;
• Closely monitor progress towards PEPFAR/USAID–funded project targets,
• Guide the analysis, synthesis and reporting of outputs and results in close collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Team;
• Oversee the quality, preparation, and timely submission of project reports to the donor

Strategic Staffing & People Management

• Ensure the selection, recruitment, and retention of the best-qualified talent by providing strong supervision through performance support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities;
• Supervise and advise program staff about managing resources, time, and information.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to program staff through proper goal setting and performance assessments;
• Support professional growth by identifying capacities needed to achieve programmatic and organizational goals and work with senior staff to ensure those capacities are developed;
• Develop high performing teams by promoting an environment in which proactive thinking and creativity is encouraged and rewarded.

Reporting to: IRCE General Secretary 

Place of Work: IRCE Head Office

Number of Position: (01)

Job Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree in public health, social science, or related fields is required
• Minimum of 12- and 10-years’ experience for Bachelor's degree and Master’s degree respectively 
• Seven years advancing experience managing, PEPFAR/USAID funded project including capacity development, financial management, grant and compliance and logistics management;
• Experience in coordinating and collaborating with a broad set of stakeholders, including multi-lateral and international donors and local and international NGOs
• In-depth knowledge of PEPFAR projects, regulations, compliance and reporting requirements
• Experience hiring and supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving project needs
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills
• Demonstrated diplomatic, management, and communication skills to liaise and advocate with governments, donors, thought leaders, and other key stakeholders including other implementing agencies.
• Able to balance competing priorities and deadlines, while maintaining exceptional organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to achieve results through collaboration with colleagues, partner organizations, and donors is required.
• Fluency in English required’

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should mail only their application letter and C.V, within Ten (10) days from the date of this announcement to: Human Resources, Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia

Through the following e-mail address: Tesfayewub30@gmail.com or Haile.m@ircethiopia.org

Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates, and we are unable to provide any feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Please mention the title of the position you applied for on the subject line of your email or write ‘’Project Director’’.

CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.