Project Coordinator: Strengthening Community Resilience in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Project Coordinator: Strengthening Community Resilience in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Duty Station: Addis Ababa at HoA-REC&N Headquarters with frequent fieldwork in the Somali Region

Type of Employment: 1 year contract with possibility of extension

Reports to: Wetlands International Project Manager in Kenya (task), Wetlands International Project Manager in the Netherlands (task) and HoA-REC&N Deputy Director in Ethiopia (line)

Coordinates with: Project partners especially with Wetlands International and Ethiopia n Red Cross Society, Project officer and other implementing partners

Staff Reporting: Project Officer

Background

The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre & Network (HoA-REC&N) is an autonomous unit within the Addis Ababa University, working in the area of environmental concerns and sustainable development options in the Horn of Africa with a view to facilitate, strengthen and advocating for initiatives and interventions related to environmental conservation and natural resources management. A detailed overview about HoA-REC&N is available on [www.hoarec.org].

Wetlands International is dedicated to safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people and nature. We are driven by the knowledge that safeguarding and restoring wetlands is urgent and vital for water security, biodiversity, climate regulation, sustainable development and human health. In our disaster risk reduction work, we work from the principles that environmental degradation can lead to disasters and aggravation of hazards, and that the sustenance and restoration of healthy ecosystems are key to reducing disaster risk and improving livelihood resilience. See our website [www.wetlands.org] for more information on the values, strategies and policies that guide our work.

HoA-REC&N and Wetlands International have established a partnership relation to jointly implement the Strengthening Community Resilience in Somali Region of Ethiopia (SCRSE) Project. This is a new project that runs from mid-2014 to the end of 2016, and is implemented in a wider partnership of humanitarian, development, climate and environmental organisations. The project’s target area is the Somali Region of Ethiopia, specifically Jijiga, Gursum and Tuliguled Woredas and associated watersheds. The ultimate aim of the SCRSE is community stability and resilience through strategic interventions for food security, water security and disaster risk reduction. These will involve direct field interventions, institutional capacity building and policy advocacy for food security, water security and ecosystem rehabilitation for overall community stability and resilience. 2 specifically Jijiga, Gursum and Tuliguled Woredas and associated watersheds. The ultimate aim of the SCRSE is community stability and resilience through strategic interventions for food security, water security and disaster risk reduction. These will involve direct field interventions, institutional capacity building and policy advocacy for food security, water security and ecosystem rehabilitation for overall community stability and resilience.

Responsibilities and tasks

Wetlands International Africa and HoA-REC&N are looking for a Project Coordinator who will coordinate activities and represent Wetlands International in Ethiopia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall coordination of activities with other partners of the project, including the Red Cross;

Providing technical and strategic advice to the project Officer and partner organisations and implementing partners in the Somali Region;

Assist to coordinate knowledge base development;

Activity and financial planning, monitoring and reporting;

Facilitating national linking and learning;

Developing and maintaining a stakeholder network of relevant NGOs, governments and corporates and advocate for and influence policies on ecosystem / landscape level where relevant;

Developing new and strategic partnerships and alliances for Wetlands International and HoA-REC&N in Ethiopia.

Profile

The successful candidate will be an Ethiopian national that is a skilled technical and strategic advisor, able to bring people and interests together and develop new opportunities. S/he will have a good understanding of the civil society, government and corporate world complemented with a relevant network. S/he will have a good understanding of ecosystem-based solutions to resilience building at all relevant scales and be able to represent Wetlands International in Ethiopia on wetlands issues.

Required qualifications

Education

• A Master degree in environmental sciences, water resources management or related fields or commensurate experience with a minimum of 6 to 8 years in integrated water resource management (IWRM) or related fields.

Experience and Core Competencies

• Knowledgeable of current policies and practices related to IWRM, DRR and landscape restoration in Ethiopia and East Africa;

• Excellent interpersonal skills;

• Fluency in English; written and oral and a demonstrated ability to produce sound technical and financial reports;

• Experience in key office administration systems and procedures;

• Substantial track record in project management and development;

• Strong ability for networking and creating opportunities for synergies among civil society and science-based organisations throughout Ethiopia;

• Strong social, networking and diplomatic skills and experience with policy dialogue with different Government levels and corporates (to be proven by track record);

• Strong organisational skills and experience working in a multi-cultural environment;

• Strong team leadership and managerial skills;

• Facilitation and training skills - ability to explain IWRM and ecosystem services concepts to different audiences;

• Ability to travel regularly in-country to the Somali Region and regionally to other locations with Wetlands International presence.

Preferred qualifications

Full proficiency in Amharic and preferably Somali;

Offer

Remuneration, according to HoAREC&N salary scales

A one year contract (3 months probation period) with the possibility of extension

Application

Interested candidates that meet the required qualification and experience are invited to submit their CVs and soft-copy of credentials along with an application letter to: recruitment@hoarec.org

Clearly indicate "Application for Project Coordinator SCRSE" in the title of your mail. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Application Deadline: Applications will be received until February 20th, 2015