Internal/External

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IR/INT/EXT/VN/002.25

January 17, 2025

Position:                      Livelihood Officer

Duty station:               Somali Regional State, Jigjiga

Reports to:                  Area Coordinator

Salary:                         As per the organization’s scale

Required:                    One

Duration:                    One year with high possibility of extension

Introduction

Islamic Relief is an international relief and development charity founded in 1984 with its headquarters in Birmingham, UK. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender. The office officially started operation in Ethiopia in 2004. Islamic Relief Ethiopia (IRE) is operational in the Somali Regional State with a base office in Jigjiga, Hargelle, Elkere, Bare, GG and Dekasuftu, Afar Regional State; Ewa, Awra and Gulina; Oromia regional State, West Harergeye, Chiro and Meayso Woredas, Borena zone, Yabello, Dubluk, Dire and Elewaye woredas  and an additional operational office in Addis Ababa.

About the Project

The Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project is a transformative two-year initiative funded by IR Germany, dedicated to enhancing the economic well-being of 600 widowed women in Jigjiga Town. By organizing the beneficiaries into cohesive groups, the project promotes collective action and mutual support as a foundation for economic growth. The initiative incorporates capacity-building training designed to strengthen the women’s entrepreneurial skills, leadership abilities, and financial literacy. Additionally, the project facilitates access to startup capital, empowering participants to launch and expand income-generating activities. By establishing strong linkages to financial institutions and markets, the project ensures that the women can sustain and scale their enterprises over the long term. By empowering women economically, the WEE Project contributes to the broader goals of gender equality, poverty reduction, and community development in Jigjiga Town.

To guarantee its success and sustainability, the WEE Project is being implemented through a collaborative approach that engages regional signatories, local government entities, and the Jigjiga town administration. This partnership fosters ownership, alignment with local development priorities, and the mobilization of resources and expertise.

Job Purpose

The Livelihood Officer will be responsible for managing the implementation of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project in Jigjiga Town in collaboration with the area coordinator, focusing on achieving its objectives. Key duties include planning, coordinating, and executing project activities while ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines. The officer will provide technical support to beneficiaries, including training and capacity building, to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and improve their access to sustainable livelihood opportunities. Supervision of project staff will also be a critical component, ensuring high-quality delivery of services and adherence to organizational standards.

In addition to operational responsibilities, the role involves cultivating partnerships with local government bodies related to the project, financial institutions, market actors, and other stakeholders to foster access to finance and market linkages for the target groups. The officer will monitor both financial and physical progress, preparing detailed and timely reports for the country office and the government to ensure transparency and accountability. By promoting sustainable practices and aligning all activities with Islamic Relief Ethiopia’s mission and donor requirements, the Business Development Officer will play a pivotal role in driving the project’s success and ensuring its long-term impact on the economic empowerment and resilience of women in Jigjiga Town.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Implementation and Oversight

• Develop detailed implementation plans for project activities, ensuring alignment with the overall project objectives and timelines.
• Coordinate and oversee group formation, capacity-building training, business startup support, and market linkage activities for project beneficiaries.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project progress and address any challenges in real time.
• Ensure that project activities are gender-sensitive and inclusive, meeting the diverse needs of the targeted women.

2. Supervision and Team Management

• Provide leadership and guidance to the project team, ensuring clarity of roles, effective communication, and high morale.
• Organize regular team meetings to review progress, discuss challenges, and plan next steps.
• Identify capacity gaps within the team and organize training to build technical and operational skills.
• Promote a collaborative and supportive working environment, fostering accountability and professional growth among team members.

3. Resource Allocation and Management

• Plan and oversee the efficient utilization of financial, human, and material resources for project activities, ensuring accountability and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage project budgets, ensuring all expenditures align with donor requirements and financial regulations.
• Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure timely availability of resources, such as training materials, tools, and startup kits.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local government agencies relevant to the project, Women and Children Affairs Bureau, financial institutions, and community leaders to ensure project support and sustainability.
• Facilitate stakeholder coordination meetings, joint monitoring visits, and advocacy initiatives to promote project objectives.
• Negotiate with financial institutions and market actors to secure access to credit and market opportunities for beneficiaries.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Develop and implement a robust MEAL framework to track project performance and impact.
• Collect and analyze data on project activities, outcomes, and beneficiary feedback to inform decision-making and improve implementation.
• Prepare detailed periodic progress reports, highlighting achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement.
• Organize learning sessions and knowledge-sharing workshops to enhance understanding of best practices and innovative approaches.

6. Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving

• Act as a mediator in resolving conflicts or disputes among project beneficiaries, staff, or other stakeholders.
• Proactively identify risks and challenges, developing mitigation strategies and contingency plans to ensure project continuity.
• Address grievances from beneficiaries or community members in a transparent and fair manner.

7. Compliance and Policy Adherence

• Ensure strict adherence to Islamic Relief Ethiopia’s policies, donor guidelines, and local laws in all project activities.
• Uphold principles of safeguarding, gender equality, and ethical conduct throughout the project lifecycle.
• Promote the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in business activities supported by the project.

8. Sustainability and Impact Enhancement

• Design and implement strategies to ensure the sustainability of beneficiary businesses, including ongoing access to financial services and markets.
• Facilitate the establishment of support networks among beneficiary groups for peer learning and shared growth.
• Work closely with local institutions to embed project activities into existing systems, ensuring long-term benefits for the community.