Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish largest development aid organisation and the second largest provider of humanitarian assistance. We operate in 12 countries, where the needs are most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.

Role Purpose

The Programme Officer reports directly to the Country Director. The Programme Officer is responsible for ensuring quality planning, implementation and reporting of FCA’s Disaster Funds Project; collaboration with, and oversight of, the co-implementation partner; and broader FCA programming in Ethiopia. The role includes external representation and engagement with various country stakeholders and is required to undertake frequent field visits to current and potentially new project locations. This is a national position based in Ethiopia.

Specific Responsibilities

Project Management

• Ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and with the involvement of the partner and concerned stakeholders at all levels, through planned and regular data collection, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Ensure project activities are implemented in the most efficient, effective, accountable and sustainable manner, including timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of targets, outcomes and outputs achieved.
• Ensure proper financial management in line with FCA guidelines, and reporting.
• Ensure that the project aligns with both FCA and Ethiopia Government and line ministry specific education, safeguarding and child protection guidelines and policies.
• Travel to all project sites to conduct regular monitoring of projects quality together with other project team members.
• Work closely with, and mentor and assist, the local partner in planning, execution and delivery of allocated project activities, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
• Ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to FCA standards and compliance rules, best project management practices are promoted, and overall quality assurance of the project is provided.

Partnerships, Business Development and Advocacy

• Ensure that lessons learned, good practices, challenges, and general tendencies, contextual analysis and recommendations are documented and shared with the CD and ETCO support team for strong establishment and institutionalization of FCA in Ethiopia.
• Explore funding opportunities and prepare project and donor proposals, plans and budgets in collaboration with the CD and ETCO support team
• Lead the start, development, implementation and growth of FCA Ethiopia country programme, including strategic guidance and programmatic leadership, as well as administrative and HR related tasks
• Lead a large-scale joint Multi-Sector Needs Assessment in various locations of Ethiopia to guide future FCA programming
• Submit critical programme and administrative issues, risks, plans and recommendations to the CD and ETCO support team, in order to drive future process improvement and program development planning, working closely with the CD and relevant FCA global thematic advisers.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in project management, business or related field as well as professional certification.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in working in development and humanitarian program related field operation or field activities in developing countries.
• Knowledge of and experience with Education, including teacher training and Accelerated Education/Learning Programme, ideally both in development contexts and Education in Emergencies in Ethiopia.
• Experience with livelihoods programming, specifically TVET, and Durable Solutions is an advantage.
• Proven experience and capacity in project/programme management, proposal and programme development for key donors, and project financial management
• Flexible and capable of working and living in difficult circumstances in a multicultural environment.
• Detailed and thorough understanding of the operational refugee, IDP and returnee context in Ethiopia and other relevant stakeholders.
• Experience in cooperating with local government, international actors and UN agencies
• Excellent inter-personal and inter-cultural skills
• Ability to travel/frequent field visits to all FCA project areas and produce quality monitoring field reports.