Status: National Position, full-Time Contract until March 2020
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, frequent travel to regions
Language requirements: Amharic, English and Oromiffa essential
SUMMARY
The post holder will have the key role in developing the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) sector work within Ethiopia, in general, and leading and managing the nutrition programs within in East and West Harerge Zones, Oromia Regional State, in particular. This will include building our strategic partnerships with CARE Ethiopia, the regional government, corporate sector, civil society and donors, developing volunteer placements, supporting volunteers, building networks and seeking and winning funding. The post holder will also remotely support the implementation of a project with CARE Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi. This will involve some travel to the three countries. Finally, the post holder will work with Country Rep and other field and HQ based staff to actively promote work of Cuso international to variety of audiences.
Cuso International’s primary intervention is through the provision of professional international, diaspora and national technical advisors, who work with local partners to deliver development programs. Our technical advisors are highly skilled volunteers, usually mid to late career professionals, who bring strong qualifications, years of post-qualification experience, commitment and new ideas to bear in their role as coaches and mentors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:
Program Development & Delivery:
Deliverable:
Develop Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition programing system and service strengthening projects, partnerships and support partners to develop placements in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, and work with the Global Lead – Health at Cuso International HQ to liaise with CARE Canada and donors.
Specific responsibilities:
Analyze and maintain an in-depth understanding of the development context and key stakeholders.
Produce a clear sector strategic plan with clear key performance indicators and implementation plan and revise on annual basis.
Working in collaboration and in consultation with Cuso International’s local partners, volunteers and other stakeholders, identify relevant development interventions (e.g. grants, International, South-South, Diaspora, and National volunteering, advocacy, partnerships, etc.) to deliver established strategic and implementation plans.
Wherever relevant, ensure cross-cutting themes such as gender and/or governance and/or environment, are mainstreamed in programming initiatives.
Ensure the smooth-functioning of placement development and volunteer management systems and processes, within the Country Program Office and with other Cuso International staff and teams outside of the country.
With the support of Country Representative and field/HQ based M&E staff ensure gender sensitive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place understood by partners and volunteers and all relevant deadlines and reports are produced in a timely manner.
Ensure the impact of Cuso International’s health and nutrition work and issues arising are captured and promoted into relevant practice and policy debates.
In collaboration with Country Program Office staff, local partners, volunteers and other stakeholders, foster and promote a culture of ongoing learning from successes and failures.
Feed sector specific information into annual and revised budget setting and work with the Country Representative and finance staff to monitor performance to budget, taking appropriate action to remedy any variance.
Partnership and Resource Development
Deliverable:
Productive, relevant partnerships with government, corporate sector, civil society and donors are identified and developed and enable Cuso International to grow their health sector work.
Specific responsibilities:
Seek out and actively participate in nutrition programming and partnerships and where appropriate, regional networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums, debates or any other event pertaining to the health sector work of Cuso International in country and region and where it is possible to champion/represent Cuso’s programs and projects with donors, other agencies, relevant government officials, partners etc.
Working in close collaboration with the Country Representative and field/HQ based funding staff, identify sector specific funding and/or partnership opportunities and take a lead role in following these up in a timely manner.
Work with the Country Representative to develop an Ethiopian health sector resource development funding strategy.
When necessary, represent and/or present Cuso international’s work and impact, in meetings, conferences, workshops or any other appropriate forum.
Where necessary, lead or contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals.
Develop realistic program or project plans and budgets, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
Act as the primary resource person within the country, for sharing and providing information on Cuso International’s health sector work.
Volunteer and Placement Management
Deliverables:
Cuso International’s volunteers working in nutrition programming are adequately supported in their placements and working effectively with their local partner organizations to meet their placement objectives. Volunteers are engaged in all aspects of program development, including helping to set priorities, supporting funding and/or partnership opportunities etc.
Specific responsibilities:
Lead the planning and development of relevant and coherent volunteer placement documentation that clearly links to project strategic goals.
Ensure relationships and communication between Country Program staff, partner organizations and volunteers are cooperative and professional
Ensure excellent communication channels between Country Program staff and other Cuso International staff in regional and North American offices, so that placement and program information is flowing between all parties and all stakeholders are meeting deadlines.
Working closely with the Ethiopia Country Program Support Officer, participate in the development of volunteer in-country orientations upon arrival, facilitating some of the learning and orientation events as appropriate.
Support volunteers to understand local context, how change happens and how gender inequalities operate in local context.
Keep abreast of volunteer’s progress and/or challenges in their placements and support any learning or professional development they may require to achieve their objectives.
Engage volunteers in program planning, development and resource diversification, as appropriate.
Work with the Program Support Officer in handling any volunteer or partner complaints, conducting investigations where necessary; participate in discussions where policies and procedures do not offer a proper resolution to a volunteer’s concern or situation, involving HQ staff as deemed necessary.
Work with the Country Representative to ensure the Ethiopia program emergency and risk-management plan well-communicated, implemented and reviewed on a regular basis, covering the safety and security of volunteers and Country Program Office staff.
Keep the Country Representative informed of any potential security threats, whether low, medium or high, at all times.
Other duties:
Participate in Ethiopian and regional or global wide staff meetings, as appropriate.
As and when required manage, supervise and coach staff.
Provide feedback to other Cuso International colleagues, when systems and processes could be enhanced to be more effective and user-friendly.
Understand and implement all relevant office administration, health and security, finance, budget and logistical systems.
Ensure Country Program Office compliance with proper record-keeping guidelines and filing of sensitive employee, volunteer, partner, and donor information.
Fulfill any other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Country Representative, Head of Programs or Director of International programs.
Take responsibility to ensure ongoing professional and personal learning.
Provide cover for other colleagues, as necessary.
Job Requirement
Education
A University degree in a field relevant to the duties of this position, and/or a relevant combination of studies and experience.
Experience
A total of more than eight (8) years’ of experience of which at least three (3) years’ experience working within development programs, at the community level and at least five (5) years’ experience planning, resourcing, monitoring and implementing development projects.
Proven commitment to mainstreaming gender and equality issues within work and ability to coach and mentor others in this aspect of performance.
Experience developing and managing budgets and creating financial reports.
Knowledge
Excellent understanding of the Project Cycle, its tools and phases.
An excellent understanding and experience of the health sector in Ethiopia.
A proven track record of successfully securing external funding for development programs and projects including the development of coherent and strong proposals and concept notes.
An appreciation of role and impact of volunteering as a contribution to international development.
Skills and Abilities
Fluency in English, Oromiffa, and Amharic, written and spoken.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and the ability to use different communication media effectively, including email, telephone, SKYPE, and written correspondence.
Good public speaking abilities and presentation skills
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, persuade, coach, mobilize and develop positive relationships with others internally and externally.
Ability to work well and respectfully as part of a diverse team, and in cross-cultural contexts.
Ability to respond to emergency situations i.e. medical emergencies, civil unrest, assaults etc.
Excellent time-management skills and prioritization skills.
Excellent problem-solving abilities, finding innovative solutions to difficult and complex challenges and the ability to persevere to find a resolution.
Computer and Internet proficiency (all Microsoft Office tools, databases, web research, web-based tools and transactions, etc.).
Others
Willingness and ability to travel both within country and internationally spending up to 16 weeks a year away from home.
Willingness to work irregular hours of work and extra hours, in order to successfully meet deliverables.
Valid driver’s license and clear driving record.
Desirable
Qualification – Master of Public Health
Experience being, working with or managing volunteers.
Knowledge of the development and socio-political context of Ethiopia
Knowledge of the health sector in the Oromia region