All we do, and how we do it, seeks to promote God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in a broken world. As such, we are defined by our ability to make people’s lives measurably better; our ability to deliver impact is the measure of our collective success. For we know that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared in advance for us to do. At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of values called Heartbeat Values.

Position: Disability inclusion and Youth Officer 

Duty Station:  Mekelle, Tigray

Duration of Contract:  One-year contract, Renewable (with 60 working days probation period)

Closing date:  January 4, 2025

Under the supervision of the Senior JEOP Manager the post holder will contribute to implementing youth and disability inclusion programs. This role involves collaborating with the investor JEOP team to enhance program quality for vulnerable populations. We seek a skilled Disability Inclusion and Youth Engagement officer to oversee, implement, document, and report on activities that mainstream youth and disability inclusion in humanitarian response, JEOP. This position is crucial in ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are prioritized and addressed in safe and dignified programming. his position will be responsible for providing technical guidance, monitoring implementation, and advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and youth. 

Principal Responsibilities

Key Result #1 – Implementation and Coordination

• Coordinate the implementation of increased disability inclusion and youth engagement activities in JEOP 2.0, as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, ensuring alignment with organizational quality standards, donor guidelines, USAID requirements, and industry best practices.

• Lead the implementation and the provision of technical support to JEOP staff to ensure the mainstreaming of disability inclusion and youth engagement into all relevant activities, aligned with humanitarian principles, positive youth development, and youth workforce development approaches 

• Oversee and lead the coordination and implementation of disability inclusion and youth engagement recommendations to ensure findings and recommendations are integrated into program implementation.

• Lead the organization and facilitation of trainings on disability inclusion and youth engagement for JEOP staff at all levels, in collaboration with the CRS disability inclusion and youth engagement team and relevant JEOP sectors or units.

• Lead the coordination of youth engagement and disability inclusive project evaluation activities and guide staff in reflecting on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report inconsistencies or gaps to inform adjustments.

• Ensure complete and accurate documentation of JEOP youth and disability inclusive activities, adhering to organizational, CRS, and USAID requirements.

• Lead the reporting to CRS on disability and youth inclusion, including the preparation of trends analysis reports, case studies, and good practices.

• Coordinate the provision of logistical and administrative support to JEOP staff.

• Advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and youth at all levels.

• Coordinate the implementation of strategies to engage youth in humanitarian response aligned with PYD frameworks and approaches.

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to ensure effective coordination and synergy and Share knowledge as well as experiences with other organizations and stakeholders.

Key Result #2 –Monitoring, Reporting and partnership/networking

• Monitor and report on youth and disability inclusive activities, ensuring accountability and adherence to established standards and procedures.

• Participate in relevant technical working groups and forums to share knowledge and best practices.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with partner organizations, government agencies, community-based organizations, and OPDs.

• Ensure disability and youth inclusion accountability by performing ad-hoc inspections of JEOP processes and resources to ensure timely implementation, reporting, and adherence to standards.

• Provide cascading trainings and capacity building to staff on disability inclusion principles and practices.

• Ensure the implementation and development of accessible and inclusive programs and services.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of disability and youth inclusion initiatives.

• Collaborate with the CRS disability and youth inclusion team to develop and implement joint initiatives.

• Collaborate with local stakeholders, OPDs, and youth-focused organizations to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.

• Collaborate with the MEAL team to integrate disability and youth perspectives into research, assessments, and evaluations, and ensure the collection of sex, age, and disability disaggregated data.

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Gender Responsibility

• Be aware of the stereotypes about women’s and men’s capacities, and discuss how they influence staff, in assigning responsibility, and in managing resources at unit and organization level.

• Be able to describe how gender issues relate to one’s job responsibilities and how gender equity can be promoted through the execution of those responsibilities.

• Be familiar with the local Gender Focal Point(s), and go to her/him to learn more about gender issues, or when there is a gender grievance or harassment issue to resolve

• Within each project and department, discuss FH’s Gender & Diversity and Sexual Harassment and sexual exploitation Policies, so that all staff are conversant with them.

• Refrain from any comments or gestures that indicate prejudicial views of female staff, especially female supervisors.

• In each Project and Head Office, ask women staff what changes would make it more “gender-friendly”, organization  and implement the recommendations

Safety & Security Responsibility

• Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security policy of FH. Lapses in safe conduct can jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff.

• Every FHE staff member has an obligation to learn and understand the security situation where they are located. 

• Each FHE staff member should adhere to all pertinent policies concerning safety and security.  This includes, but not limited to, personal safety, road safety, etc.

• He/she has a responsibility to become familiar to social, cultural and other associated features of their duty stations;

• Abstains from inappropriate or offensive behavior that can put FHE in a difficult position, impair operations, and jeopardize the health and welfare of all staff of FHE.

• All FHE staff should promotes safe conducts and exercises caution in all work activities; staff should accountable for own personal and professional actions and conduct;

Job Requirements

Experience

• Proven experience in disability inclusion and youth engagement programming, preferably in humanitarian settings.

• Strong understanding of disability rights and inclusive development principles.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Proficiency in relevant software applications, computer basic skills, including data analysis tools.

• Fluency in English.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in social work, disability studies, international development, or a related field.

• 3 years Proven experience in disability inclusion and youth engagement programming, preferably in humanitarian settings.

• Strong understanding of disability rights and inclusive development principles.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Proficiency in relevant software applications, computer basic skills, including data analysis tools.

• Fluency in English.

Job Level Specifications

• Full agreement with FH’s Christian foundation and beliefs as expressed in The Heartbeat: our Values, Vision, and Purpose.

• Strong Interpersonal skills,

• Emotional maturity,

• Cross-cultural Sensitivity,

• Ability to work effectively under pressure

Distinguishing Competencies 

• Interested in working communities in need of humanitarian assistance. 

• High level of professional discipline. 

• Highly committed to serve communities in very challenging places with limited access to basic services.  

• Excellent computer skill and knowledge in the area of MS word, MS Excel, PowerPoint and email communication.

• Have in-depth understanding of national nutrition policies and strategies. 

Language

⮚ Basic Proficiency in both spoken and written English and local languages. 

Supervisory Responsibility

⮚ The position has no Supervisory responsibility.

How to Apply

Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Competent candidates should submit their application and updated CV’s ONLY to:  recruitment_fhe@fh.org

Candidates MUST refer the position title "Disability inclusion and Youth Officer-Mekelle" on the subject line of their email and applications