Project Coordinator based in Gambella
About the Job
Ethio-Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR) is looking for a highly qualified Project Coordinator for the project “Empowering Families Through E-commerce to Support Children's Education and Well-being" based in Gambella.
About the Project
EFFR is currently implementing a strategic two-year project supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation titled: "Empowering Families Through E-commerce to Support Children's Education and Well-being." This initiative aims to economically empower families through e-commerce platforms, enhance early childhood development, and strengthen the advocacy and influencing capacity of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs).
Organizational overview
Ethio-Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR) was established in 2022 and registered on January 13, 2023, as the first legally registered Refugee-Led Organization (RLO) in Ethiopia. It serves as a humanitarian and rights-based response to support the more than 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers currently in Ethiopia.
These populations face severe challenges due to protracted crises and the global decline in funding. Our foundation is committed to promoting human rights and advocacy, providing sustainable livelihoods, offering Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and achieving gender equality while addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV). We serve as a steadfast voice for the voiceless among both refugees and host communities.
Our Partners: We take great pride in working alongside major national and international stakeholders, including the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), UNHCR, Inkomoko, DRC, JRS, Oxfam GB, and the Hilton Foundation, in addition to various UN agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Overall purpose of the role
EFFR is seeking exceptionally qualified candidates for the position of Project Coordinator based in Gambella Refugee Camps. The role is responsible for coordinating the project activities in Gambella Refugee camps as well as engagement with other stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation
Ensure the project is implemented in ways responsive to the beneficiary communities, donor compliance procedures and purpose of the project. This includes working under the overall leadership of the national/local government, relevant stakeholders and community structures to successfully implement and strengthen local capacity.
Provide leadership in all aspects of Project Cycle Management, including active participation in the completion of all programming components of the Programme Management Tools.
In collaboration with the MEAL team, ensure that the project has appropriate monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems established (including impact evaluation), and that the project reporting is delivered.
Ensure project activities are delivered according to the agreed project proposal and implementation plan, and that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe and budget reports are submitted as per the agreed schedule and formats are fulfilled as specified in signed agreements.
Ensure work plans are regularly updated in collaboration with the project team, ensure project plans and project tracking tools are used by the team, and monitor project activity implementation.
Ensure community participatory planning and targeting in line with project design and needs and following donor compliance procedures.
Provide on-site support through frequent visits to all project sites.
Engage with the various technical staff from Ethio Friends and partners to facilitate support to the team.
Uphold the professional standards related to humanitarian assistance.
Lead the technical aspects of budget revisions, realignments and other relevant processes and coordinate the inputs of other teams as needed.
Uphold the highest standard of confidentiality when managing records to ensure beneficiary dignity and privacy.
Technical leaderships and staff capacity development:
Mentor and coach the project teams, and support access to opportunities for professional development.
Participate in relevant trainings, communities of practice and professional networks within Ethio Friends and externally to ensure the project is implemented with high technical standards and based on available evidence.
Ensure that technical standards for programme quality and accountability are met.
Coordination & Partnership
Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the project and ensure effective integration among the stakeholders, with special attention for the specific needs and expectations of the project objectives/ aims.
Ensure proper communication mechanisms are in place to guarantee effective and timely communication with project staff and management.
Participate in regular external stakeholder meetings, represent and maintain external relations with the relevant government agencies and other stakeholders across the project areas.
Promote collaboration and synergy in the implementation of the project activities and similar projects, businesses and activities in the project areas.
Promote a positive profile of the project and good understanding among other actors and communities about the project.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders
Represent the project at inter agency and other key stakeholder forums related to the sector.
Ensure that adequate donor visibility is in place in all project locations and activities.
Operations:
Contribute to the effective implementation of operations support activities related to the project, including related to administration, finances, and logistics, so as to ensure smooth project implementation.
In all matters, comply with internal directives and policies as communicated by the donor, RRS, UNHCR, Safety and/or the relevant other departments.
Budget Management:
Oversee project budget planning, monitoring, cash forecasting and BFU reviews in order to maintain project expenditure within budget parameters, ensuring adherence to Ethio Friends financial procedures and donor requirements.
Track budget spending and ensure timely reviews of financial transactions and budget utilization every month
Support team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending plans, procurement plans, and work-plans based on activities and budgets.
Anticipate potential over/under spending on activity budgets and proactively communicate to relevant colleagues and the donor.
Provide expenditure forecasts to Finance on a monthly basis.
Staff Management
Ensure timely performance and development management measures for the programme staff under his/her management, including appraisals and remedial actions in case of under-performance.
Ensure that all project staffs have clear objectives and receive regular supervision and reviews.
Ensure appropriate participation of staff in project management, day to day implementation and decision making, and escalating issues as per the organization governance structure.
Ensure project staff members attend and participate in weekly and monthly office management meetings as per the schedule.
Ensure timely recruitment and replacement if the need arises of highly competent project staff
Monitor and provide objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective setting, probation and performance evaluations to promote growth and development.
Desirable
Postgraduate training in project management, climate smart agriculture, market systems development or a related discipline is an added advantage
Knowledge of local languages spoken in refugee settlements is an asset.
Duty Station: Gambella frequent travel to Refugee camps
Salary and conditions: Gross salary of 31,000 ETB per month subject to government taxation
Number of Positions: 1
Employment Type: Part-time/80%/
Gender Preference: Male/ Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Language Requirement: Strong English language is mandatory and knowing Amharic and other local languages is an asset
Closing date for applications: 3rd of January 2026
Address: please scan the QR code below for your more information about Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees
Job Requirements
Required Qualifications
Degree in Social Science, Business, Economics, management or related field with a minimum of 7 years of experience managing livelihood, child protection and advocacy and capacity building projects. Moreover, we also expect the following:
Demonstrated experience managing multi-component, multi-value chain programmes, preferably in refugee hosting districts or humanitarian settings.
Required
Experience supervising multidisciplinary technical teams and community-based field staff.
Strong understanding of livelihood, women empowerment and protection and advocacy for voiceless people of concerns.
Proven experience in project planning, budgeting, financial oversight and results-based management.
Experience coordinating with government institutions, particularly the Refugee and Returnee Service, UNHCR, RLOs and other relevant stakeholders.
Experience managing environmental and social safeguards, including grievance redress mechanisms, Gender Based Violence, mitigation and child protection.
Experience with digital data collection tools, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) systems and indicator tracking.
Strong stakeholder engagement, conflict sensitivity and problem-solving skills
Fluency in written & Spoken English.
How To Apply
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English via ethiofriendsfoundation@gmail.com or through THIS LINK
