I. JOB SUMMARY

The Economic Empowerment Officer will lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of the project’s economic empowerment and livelihoods interventions, focusing on women survivors of GBV, women with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. The Officer will work closely with CARE, NEWA, and local government structures to strengthen Village Economic and Social Associations (VESAs), enhance financial literacy, promote inclusive savings and lending practices, and facilitate access to markets and entrepreneurship opportunities. The role will also support skills development, vocational training, and business planning for women and youth, while fostering linkages with private sector actors to expand livelihood options. By ensuring that economic empowerment initiatives are gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable, the Officer will play a vital role in building resilience, reducing vulnerability, and promoting long-term economic independence for marginalized groups.

Duties and Responsibilities:

a) Program Implementation (50%)

• Lead the design and delivery of economic empowerment activities under the ARISE project.

• Establish and strengthen VESAs, ensuring the active inclusion of GBV survivors and marginalized women.

• Provide technical support and training on financial literacy, business skills, and income-generating activities.

• Conduct and oversee market assessments to identify viable livelihood opportunities for women and girls.

• Support VESA groups to develop inclusive by-laws and ensure participation of women with disabilities.

• Promote linkages between VESAs, microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and private sector actors.

• Ensure gender-transformative approaches are integrated into all economic empowerment initiatives.

b) Capacity Building and Technical Support (25%)

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and technical backstopping to project staff, facilitators, and community groups.

• Deliver training modules on savings, entrepreneurship, and small business management.

• Build the capacity of local partners and stakeholders in supporting women’s economic empowerment.

c) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (15%)

• Work closely with the MEAL team to develop tools and indicators for economic empowerment outcomes.

• Track progress of VESA groups and income-generating activities.

• Document lessons learned, success stories, and best practices for wider sharing.

d) Coordination and Representation (10%)

• Coordinate with government offices (e.g., Women & Social Affairs Bureau, Cooperative Promotion Office) and other stakeholders.

• Participate in relevant coordination forums, networks, and learning platforms.

• Represent the project in local economic empowerment and livelihoods-related initiatives.

e) Other (5%)

• Contribute to donor reporting and project visibility activities.

• Ensure safeguarding, protection, and gender equality principles are mainstreamed in all activities.

• Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Manager.

III. Job Responsibility 3 Key Deliverables

• Functional and inclusive VESA groups established and operational.

• Women survivors of GBV supported with viable livelihood options.

• Regular market assessments and updated livelihood strategies.

• Capacity-building sessions conducted for community groups and partners.

• Quality reports, case studies, and success stories produced.

IV. Job Responsibility 4 Perform other duties as assigned. % of Time = 5 %

V. PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

Levels one and two of problem solving apply to the incumbent. The incumbent involves with daily routine activities, she/he also uses interpolative skills to pick and choose the right solution to address given problems.

GENDER EQUALITY 

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth and social inclusion issues.

• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions / programming.

Job Requirements

VI. Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Experience:

• Minimum 4–5 years’ experience in livelihoods, women’s economic empowerment, or community development projects.

• Demonstrated experience in establishing and managing savings groups (VSLAs/VESAs).

• Experience working with survivors of GBV, women with disabilities, or other marginalized groups.

• Proven record in conducting market assessments and developing income-generating initiatives.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong technical knowledge of economic empowerment and financial inclusion models.

• Facilitation, training, and community mobilization skills.

• Excellent communication, reporting, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-stakeholder environment.

• Fluency in Amharic and English (both written and spoken); local languages of Amhara region an asset.

• Commitment to gender equality, women’s rights, and safeguarding principles.

 Values and Commitments

• Uphold CARE’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Commitment, and Excellence.

• Promote survivor-centered approaches in all program interventions.

• Ensure inclusivity, non-discrimination, and accountability to affected populations.

How To Apply

If you are interested to be part of our dynamic team, exciting work environment and contribute to CARE Ethiopia’s mission and vision, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and cover letter (not more than one page) through THIS LINK

 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Make sure you indicate the position title and location on your application letter.

Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply, especially women!

CARE seeks to improve the lives of the most marginalized, particularly women and girls. Our diversity is our strength. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives, or partners.

CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.

By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks