Job purpose

The Assistant Project Officer is responsible for assisting the project officer for overseeing management of HelpAge’s project site and program implementation in Assosa refugee camps and IDPs in the region.

The Assistant Project Officer - would be expected to coordinate with local partners, government stakeholders and the beneficiaries by building the capacity of communities living in those areas. He/she will ensure that planned project activities are carried out in an appropriate dimension in the field level to reduce the vulnerability to the natural disaster both in the refugee and IDP sites.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of community-based protection and rights-based programming, solid understanding of protection issues in conflict as well as protracted emergency setting, understanding of core humanitarian standards, principles, instruments, frameworks and protocols, and codes of conduct that govern humanitarian action. to provide guidance and develop capacity of front-line refugee incentive workers and older people groups.  Proven experience, strong communication skills.

The Assistant Project Officer will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of the project at refugee camp and IDPs in Benishangul Gumuz region, and linkages with project stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project.

Key Relationships:         

Close working relations with HelpAge International Ethiopia head of humanitarian Programme and Finance teams.

Direct and frequent communication with the Project officer, protection officer, program coordinator, Admin and finance and logistics office at Assosa and the Deputy head of humanitarian program officer at Addis for his day-to-day implementation of the project.

Close working relations with partners staff, refugee & community representatives, and partner staff in the field office.

Liaise with government stakeholders at field level.

 Job responsibilities

Project Management

• Experience in supporting teams working at refugee camp and IDP site level and ability to think from the angle of older people and other vulnerable groups/.

• Ensure effective implementation of projects working in collaboration with the project team, government, and other stakeholders.

• Promote participatory approaches in assessing and addressing protection needs of older people and other most vulnerable groups. This helps to ensure inclusion of older people in programme design, implementation, and monitoring, and to strengthen their engagement in promotion and advocacy work.

• Develop a detailed budget plan together with the program coordinator and her/his subordinates.

• Develop detailed activity plans for the project in line with the project document.

• Develop weekly, biweekly, and monthly activity accomplishment reports and submit them on time.

• Ensure quality and compliance with reporting requirements to submit within set deadlines to the Program coordinator and the Government and others as required:

• Involved in facilitating training to the representatives of vulnerable groups at all levels, HBCPS and other community workers.

• Represent HelpAge in the camp level coordination meetings.

• Closely work with other humanitarian actors for the inclusion of older persons in their humanitarian response.

• Continuously monitor and supervise health & nutrition activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data,

• Take a lead on the non-communicable disease, psychosocial support, and chronic illness assessments, follow up and referral linkages with other health partners in the operational areas.

• Ensure that supplies needed by the program under his/her supervision are properly managed.

Representation and Networking:

• Act as HelpAge focal point in the region when assigned or delegated by project officer, develop, and maintain a positive working relationship with the refugee & IDP community, humanitarian partners particularly with RRS, UNHCR and local government.

• Represent HelpAge in Assosa refugee coordination and cluster meetings when delegated or assigned by project officer and ensure that technical personal take part in thematic external coordination forum and influence inclusion of older people in the humanitarian context.

• Ensure referral linkages are properly developed and implemented with relevant and mandated humanitarian actors with health, nutrition and psychical rehabilitation and build alliance with protection focused organizations.

Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure regular field level monitoring of projects, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders to ensure tracking of project activities, effective utilization of resources and documentation of changes.

• Ensure regular monitoring and evaluations activities are conducted for each project, documented, and submitted to the appropriate person in a timely and cost-effective manner.

• Ensure that older people and persons with special need data are regularly generated, organized, documented, and shared.

• Support partner in story gathering and communications related to the project implementations, situations of older people and PSN in the camps.

• Promote organizational learning in the process of the project’s implementation, by ensuring timely and quality information is collected and shared within the project team, the government officials and community representatives and acted up accordingly.

Grade: C

Department:  Humanitarian
Location: Assosa - Ethiopia  

Responsible to: Assosa Program coordinator & Head of Hum. Program

Contract: One year, possibility of extension

Job Requirements

Person Specification

Educational background: 

• Minimum Diploma or BA Degree in social studies, rural development, Gender and Development Studies or other related fields. At least 2-5 years’ extensive experience in management of projects specifically related to the specific area required. For BA degree 2years and for Diploma 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Essential Experience and Skills:

• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in INGOs.

• Ability to set clear objectives and indicators; regularly plan project activities and implement, monitor, ensure quality of work and follow up on spending; comply to compliance requirements.

• Experience of developing collaborative partnerships with organizations.

• Proficient in computer applications (word, spreadsheet, power points, Office 365 etc.).

Behavioral Competencies:

• Teamwork skill; Result oriented; resilient under stressful environment; self-managed, committed, knowledgeable and confident.

How to Apply

Application procedure:

First Download the summary format and fill out the required information carefully.

   Summary Format

Indicate the vacancy you are applying for in the subject line. 

Then attach the following.

Summary format

Current CV (not more than 4 pages) including three (3) professional referees.

One page - cover letter highlighting job knowledge, qualifications, and experience.

Female meeting the minimum qualification and experience are encouraged to apply.

 NB: Non-compliance to the above procedures will lead to instant rejection.

 We are interested in how your skills, knowledge and experience indicate your ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Closing date: Oct 14,2023

Interested applicants who meet the minimum requirements are required to submit their non-returnable application together with the summary format by email address:  hr.eth@helpage.org