ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures.

Cuso presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Find out more at www.cusointernational.org 

We have been working in Ethiopia since July 2015 by obtaining an official licence from Authority for Civil Society Organizations.  

ABOUT THE ROLE

With a funding of Global Affairs of Canada (GAC), Cuso International, in partnership with Institute of International Education (IIE), has been delivering Promoting Greater Access to University for Girls (U-GIRLS 2) Project in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia since June 2020. U-GIRLS 2 Project addresses a number of barriers that impede adolescent girls’ education and enhances academic, social and soft skills for adolescent girls, including those with disabilities. In addition, the project focuses in strengthening the capacity of teachers and education institutions to deliver quality and gender-sensitive education. The initiative seeks to adopt a holistic and transformational approach to address barriers to girls’ higher educations, including through community engagement. U-GIRLS 2 Project has been implemented in selected seven high schools of BSG Regional State.

The post holder will have the key role in providing a range of operational, administrative and coordination supports for the effective integration of the Mental Health and Psychosocial support program implementation of U-GIRLS 2 project and other CPO programs. This will include managing all administrative system of the projects and ensuring effective coordination support to the program and national volunteer professionals. The post holder will also work with the CPO team, partners, other field, and HQ based staff to actively contribute to the strategic development of our operational and administrative functions, effective documentation, and utilisation of program resources as per the organisation’s standard policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide mental health and psychosocial support services along with trained MPHSS trainers, facilitators and school coordinators as needed

• Ensure completion and analysis of pre/post knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists

• Support collection and reporting of mental health project data using standard tools in consultation with the Interpeace program support teams and the program manager

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions, manage self-help groups, and be accountable for all psychosocial support (follow and implement culturally appropriate therapeutical techniques)

• Conduct referrals to relevant services when needed while implementing the action plan and ensuring appropriate follow-up and case closure when appropriate

• Responsible for the implementation and following of the community-based MHPSS service and providing direction and coaching to the multi-family healing spaces through the MHPSS facilitators

• Implement the project in line with MHPSS standards and guidelines and closely coordinate with Interpeace Technical Unit for development and review of training materials and reports

• Represent Cuso International in MHPSS related meetings and coordination at the project location

• Assist the program manager to address the logistic issues in relation to programmatic supplies for MHPSS budget is properly managed and review program budget and ensure presence of regular alignment of budget versus expenditures, under or over expenditure

• Provide updates and regular reports on MHPSS to program manager and Interpeace MHPSS specialist

• Support compiling and review of MHPSS project-based reports and provide quarterly reports/updates to program manager and CPO

• Prepare and maintain project beneficiaries and program partners’ portfolio database and accurate contact details
  Oversees schedules of in-kind and cash distribution for project target beneficiaries are conducted as per the signed contribution agreement with GAC

• Provides support to Program managers in organising meetings, trainings / workshops, or events for partners, stakeholders, project direct participants as per set cyclical project plans

• Prepare ToR of planned event or training / workshop to be used for initiating Purchasing Request and required financial approval process ahead of time

• Ensure standard U-GIRLS 2 project materials and visibility posters are in place during any event for documentation purposes
  Collect relevant attendance during meetings or trainings / workshops from participants as per the standard financial regulation of Cuso International

• Collect feedback at the end of trainings / workshops from participants and compile the trainings / workshop evaluation reports. Then circulate the evaluation reports as per the standard Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) guidelines

• Prepare and submit draft operational report on quarterly basis

• Support development of documentation requirements of different projects and oversees project related document filing system of the CPO, both hard copy documents and soft copy documents on SharePoint

• Provide logistic assistance in running workshops / trainings and conduct payment for participants when appropriate;

Other Duties: 

• Undertake specific additional responsibilities from time-to-time, as may be agreed upon with your Line Manager, that may include networking with other development agencies and organisations working in similar sector or project location. 

• Provide cover to other staff as needed. 

• Attend meetings and contribute to relevant discussions of program development  

Language Requirements: English and Amharic  

Classification: National employee (Must be legally able to work in Ethiopia)

Location: Benishangul Gumuz Region, Assosa   

Reports to: Program Manager  

Job Requirements

ESSENTIAL POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education 

• Master’s degree/ bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, mental health, health professional and other related fields preferred

Experience  

• Minimum of eight years full-time program support experience for bachelor’s degree and five years for Masters, including project management

• Good facilitation skills and experience are required

• Experience working in development programs that require participation grassroot beneficiaries in the project design and management

• Experience working in INGO and with international professionals from a variety of cultural and national backgrounds

• Experience in event organisation and working with local mass-media agencies

Skills 

• Administration – experience of handling a heavy and routine office workload 

• Organisation and time management  

• Excellent written and verbal communication, especially preparing project implementation reports  

• Proven listening skills  

• Analytical  

• Practical and resourceful problem solving  

• Liaise with people at all levels 

• Computer literacy (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, social media. etc)  

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, persuade, coach, mobilize and develop positive relationships with others internally and externally. 

Personal Quality  

• Tact and diplomacy  

• Self-confident  

• Flexibility to adopt to new situations and people.  

• Tolerance 

• Patience in dealing with others and cooperative 

• Objectivity and sound judgement in dealing with individuals 

• Ability to work effectively under pressure 

• Able to work independently, and as a team member 

• Good self-presentation  

• Ability to work with diverse teams  

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively  

• Organized and takes initiative to deliver  

• Eager and willing to add to their knowledge base and skills  

Circumstances  

• Ability to spend time away from base to work with partners and project participants 

• Ability and willingness to work long / irregular hours when appropriate during project implementation 

  Desirable 

• Working experiences in general education sector, especially supporting girls’ education and community mobilisation,  

• Knowledge understanding of the role of volunteers in development.  

• Interest and/or knowledge of international development issues, including gender equality and social inclusion; economic resilience, climate action 

• Basic financial and budgeting skills 

• Demonstratable commitment for learning  

How to Apply

Cuso International is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation, sick days and more.

Cuso International is committed to the integrity of our volunteers, interns, staff, managers, board members and subcontractors in preventing sexual violence in the way we operate. This is done through a defined framework, code of conduct, values and guiding principles, as well as Cooperation Canada’s Leaders’ Pledge.

Please click THIS LINK to submit your application by July 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM (EST). Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet the position requirements. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox. Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Cuso International is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be provided at any stages of the hiring process upon request. Thank you for your interest in Cuso International.