CARE Ethiopia is a Humanitarian International non Governmental Organization working in Ethiopia since 1984 implementing relief and multi-sectoral development projects. Currently it has over 500 staff working in five rural field offices (West Hararghe, East Hararghe, Awash, south Gonder and Borena) and three urban office (Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa).
CARE is looking for an individual who wants to join a dynamic team, dedicated to alleviating poverty. “CARE Ethiopia Mission is to work with poor families, communities and institutions to have a significant impact o the underlying cause of poverty.”
Date: September 23, 2014
Vacancy No. 062/14
I. Position: Program Liaison Advisor
II. Salary: USD 933 (negotiable based on past pay history and other factors)
III. Place of work: Afar (Semera) IV. Number of vacant posts: 1 (One) V Term of employment: Regular VI. Duty starting date: Immediately VII; Language : the local language (Afaregna) is mandatory VIII. Closing date: October 3, 2014
IX. Job function
The purpose of the Program Liaison Officer (PLA) position is to ensure a cohesive and strategic public and external image of CARE Ethiopia particularly with the Afar Regional Government that is aligned with the CO SP and on the ground work, and to ensure CARE Ethiopia’s capacity to develop and maintain effective partnership working relationships with its key government and other partners and counterparts in the Afar Region. The PLO is responsible to attend all sectoral regional meetings on behalf of CARE in Semera. He/She will need to have an in depth understanding of all projects operational within the Afar region and be able to represent CARE at all meetings with Government and other stakeholders held at Semera. S/he supports the development of strategic relations with key actors (including UN and civil society) for CARE Ethiopia in the Afar region. The PLO will participate in strategic and high level meetings in CARE Ethiopia to share key concerns and good practices to ensure consistent actions. .
X. Responsibilities and Tasks:
Represents CARE Ethiopia at all sector meetings held in Semera
He/She is responsible to liaise with POM and project managers in field office and Coordinators at Addis level to ensure full knowledge and understanding of all initiatives across all sectors being conducted in Afar region
Liaises directly with Afar Government representatives at Region particularly the NGO desk. Conducts regular meetings and dialogue to provide feedback on ongoing activities, successes, problems being faced etc
Works directly with POM, PM and Coordinators to ensure that handover of projects to Government and communities is conducted in a smooth, efficient and transparent manner
Troubleshoots when difficulties arise with counterparts.
Provides guidance to CARE for planning and carrying out its development activities according to counterpart-established procedures;
Stays current on, and carefully review Afar regional government policies and programs and advise the Program Department and Field Staff on the content and implications of these policies and programs for CARE’s work;
Provides technical support in the area of partnership and institutional linkage during program design. When needed, organizes training for project staff on the content of those programs and policies.
Ensures that CARE is appropriately represented in all counterpart activities and responds to requests of information from counterparts.
Ensures that counterpart representatives effectively participate in planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all development activities;
Meets regularly with counterparts at Afar Regional level to ensure on-going two-way communication between CARE and its counterparts in relation to project progress and mutual requirements/needs at all these levels;
Participates in field trips with counterparts to corroborate project progress, receive technical feedback, and identify obstacles and possible solutions, which include participation and contributions of counterparts and communities;
Participates in project evaluation exercises and ensures appropriate participation of counterparts.
Ensures that relevant data on projects are given to all relevant sectors
Keeps relevant documents systematically and accessed as needed
Closely work with Impact Measurement Advisor in Addis Ababa office for M and E activities
Contacts units and departments in CARE Addis for timely support
XI. Qualifications (Know How)
A) Education/Training Required:
BA/BSc. in social science or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Desired:
MBA/MSc in development studies.
B) Experience Required:
5 - 6 years of work experience, out of which 4-5 years in high-level position.
Desired:
Interdisciplinary experience in programs of different nature.
Emergency experience
C) Technical skills
Required:
Excellent planning, organizational, analytical and decision making skills;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Afar Amharic and English
Excellent demonstrated analytical skills in the field of external and public relations, understanding of different stakeholders, and a progressive perspective and ability to articulate image that reflect CARE’s efforts as a champion of the poor, marginalized and promoter of social justice and gender equality
Demonstrated excellent networking and negotiation skills
Excellent and proven experience in strategic planning and ability to effectively aticulate strategy to internally and external stakeholders;
Good skills in the use of computers;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies;
Proactive, initiative taker who builds partnerships and relationships within and outside of CARE
Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, sensitivity to HIV/AIDS, transparent and participatory management.
Desired:
Diving License;
Demonstrated technical and managerial ability, sound judgment, ability to interact and work effectively with others at all levels.
D) Competencies Communicating with Impact, Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, negotiation, building partnership, stress tolerance, facilitating change, collaboration, interpersonal skills, customer focus, negotiating, analytical ability, planning and organizing, political acumen, risk management.