The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. 

For more information, visit website: https://www.icrc.org/ 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Ethiopia is looking to hire an experienced, highly motivated and qualified person to fill the position of Generalist Field Officer 2 based in Nekemte.

Terms of Employment: 12 months fixed term contract with possibility of extension based on budget availability.

CONTEXT 

Nekemte Sub-Delegation (NEK SD), opened in April 2020 to respond to humanitarian consequences caused by a protracted (starting in 2018) volatile and complex non-international armed conflict (NIAC) between the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and the violence taking place between Oromos and Amharas.

NEK SD has 3 areas of responsibilities (AoRs). West AoR (West and Kelem Wellegas), East AoR (East and Horo Guduru Wellegas) and South AoR (West and East Guji and East Borena). Each AoR has priority areas, and monitoring areas. Priority areas will concentrate the efforts of the ICRC in leading a multidisciplinary and accountable, community-grounded, humanitarian action.

West AoR has been witnessing an important chapter of the above mentioned NIAC, with large humanitarian consequences. Communities have been displaced, many multiple times and there are numerous reports of sexual violence, arrests, disappearances, extra judicial killings/assassinations and abductions perpetrated by both sides. Weapon bearers have repeatedly established a presence in protected infrastructure such as schools and health posts in violation of the principle of precaution, exposing the civilian population to risks and impeding their access to essential services.

Security in West AoR is highly volatile and there is a constant need of ensuring close cooperation with the HoSD, FSCMC and HoOps in ensuring the safety and security of our teams; as well as a consistently Neutral Independent and Impartial Humanitarian Action (NIIHA).

PURPOSE

The Generalist Field Officer 2 contributes to defining, implementing and monitoring several ICRC projects and activities in West Wellega and Kellem Wellega. This includes – general field work, protection, assistance, cooperation, prevention or others, in coordination with the structure’s management, and to representing the ICRC at local/national level. The Generalist Field Officer 2 shall directly report to the Field Team Leader. 

RELATIONSHIPS 

Internally, interacts with colleagues in NEK SD or eventually with those based in other ICRC Sub-Structures and in the ADD Delegation. Externally, interacts with a network of local contacts, such as authorities, opposition leaders, non-State armed groups, the civilian population, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, and with International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct.

• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times.

• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times.

• Develops and maintains a conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers.

• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC.

• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Contributes to the NEK SD’s strategic priorities, especially in prioritized areas of operation and implements various field activities, in accordance with the objectives.

• Monitors the humanitarian environment and needs and analyses the security, socio-economic, cultural and political environment as relevant to the ICRC in West and Kellem Wellega. 

• Shares relevant information with colleagues and reports any changes in the situation through existing reporting mechanisms.

• Contributes to designing projects or programmatic response to identified humanitarian gaps, in coordination with the relevant departments.

• Contributes to the analysis of the protection environment in West and Kellem Wellegas, including through on-the-job observations during the conduct of field activities, leveraging of a network of interlocutors and monitoring and triangulation of information from public sources (e.g. social media).

• Supports the advancement of the Protection file in the West and Kellem Wellegas, including through the improved documentation into Prot-6 and analysis of Protection concerns and trends; and offer and follow-up of Protection services.

• Collects, compiles, translates/interprets information about the projects and contributes to written reporting.

• Works closely on the planning of field trips, including the administrative and logistics preparation; and post field trip settlements and reporting. During the field trip, supports the designated Team Leader in the application of ICRC security rules and advise on general conduct / behaviour given the security situation, interlocutors being encountered or other related elements.

• Participates in internal and external meetings and develops and maintains contacts with municipal/regional authorities, local/regional Red Cross/Red Crescent Society branches and the population.

• Participates in, and may carry out independently, administrative follow-up of field missions, or other tasks as required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES 

• Follows up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments.

• Is aware of the Addis Ababa (ADD) Delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other contacts relevant to the position.

• Collects and shares information so as to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses. 

• Shares information on security incidents with the hierarchy. Ensuring the security and safety of the ICRC staff is a collective effort to which every team member contributes.

• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image.

• Carries out operational/beneficiary communication sessions to relevant actors independently, or in a support role together with the Field Team Leader, delegates and/or the COM Field Officer. Facilitates and organizes healthcare in danger/international humanitarian law dissemination sessions, with the support of relevant departments. 

• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development.

• May be asked to perform other tasks if needed.

Job Requirements

• University degree in Social Science or similar

• 2–3 years’ experience, for instance as a project or programme officer in similar fields or in other national/international organizations or in the private sector and/or 1–2 years’ programme/project experience with the ICRC or other humanitarian agency.

• Prior experience in protection work is strong desired. 

• Excellent command of spoken and written English, Oromifa and Amharic.

• Computer literacy.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Security and Crisis Management

• Ability to identify, analyze and mitigate security and safety risks that could harm ICRC’s duty of care population (incl. Movement components and operational partners) while carrying out humanitarian activities. 

• Capacity to implement, teach to others, and supervise the implementation of security, safety and crisis policies, procedures and guidelines in accordance with ICRC’s Security Management System.

• Ability to integrate the diversity of internal and external stakeholders when carrying out holistic and transversal in-depths risk assessments. 

• Capacity to identify training needs, to contribute to the development of training material and to conduct motivating sessions / presentations in security, safety and crisis management. 

• Ability to manage crisis and emergencies. 

• Capacity to identify trends and developments in the area of security, safety and crisis.

Representing the ICRC

• Ability to represent the ICRC and to mobilize and influence decision-makers on core positions on law and policy and/or operational issues. Multi-disciplinarity in Operations (with focus on Protection)

• Ability to work in and leverage a multidisciplinary environment within the ICRC operations, connecting different teams and programs at NEK SD, ADD and field levels, to assure efficient collaboration between them. 

• Contribute to planning according to strategic intents and across boundaries of division, program, unit or department.

Partnerships

• Ability to leverage partnerships with different stakeholders, including security actors, civilian authorities/administrative positions, other local and national organizations, as well as partnerships within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to achieve collaborative and shared outcomes through the development and maintenance of relevant partnerships and networks.

DESIRED PROFILE AND SKILLS

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work.

• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment.

How to Apply

Electronic application can be made ONLY through THIS LINK. Alternatively, you can submit application & CV with copies of relevant documents in person to the ICRC Nekemte Sub delegation Office. 

Women applicants and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

The ICRC has zero tolerance for fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. Therefore, ICRC Ethiopia will maintain the right to conduct background and reference checks on the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer to this position. All ICRC staff should uphold the standards of ICRC’s Code of Conduct.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted at all stages of the selection process.

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Application deadline: January 25, 2025