Project Coordinator 15 views

1. Organizational Background

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is an Ethiopian Development Organization established in 2005 and re‑registered under Proclamation № 1113/2019. ECDD works to promote and facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream service delivery and development programs, envisioning an inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

ECDD, in partnership with the Population Council (PC) and the Ethiopian Lawyers with Disabilities Association (ELDA), is implementing the project “Forced Begging among People with Disabilities in Ethiopia” funded by the United States Department of State. Running for four years (2023 – 2027), the project undertakes Intervention Development Research to generate evidence, design interventions, and implement strategies aimed at combating forced begging and trafficking among persons with disabilities in Ethiopia. This initiative combines research, advocacy, and practical interventions to address systemic exploitation and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

1. Purpose of the Position

The Project Coordinator will be based at the ECDD Head Office, in Addis Ababa. She/He reports to the Deputy Program Director and works under the overall supervision of the Deputy Program Director/ Program Director. The Project Coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the activities and results of the project.

1. Key Duties and Responsibilities

A. Project Planning and Coordination

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of ECDD’s project activities in line with the approved project document, annual work plans, budgets, and donor policies.
• Serve as the primary focal person between ECDD and PC for day-to-day project coordination, which includes planning, implementation, reporting, and learning.
• Ensure alignment with the project outcomes and donor policies, as well as ECDD Strategic Plan (2025-2030).

B. Program Implementation and Technical Oversight

• Oversee the overall implementation of project activities as agreed with donor and government stakeholders.
• Ensure that meaningful participation of rescued children with disabilities, rights holders, gender equality, safeguarding, and do-no-harm principles are mainstreamed across all activities.
• Provide technical guidance to project staff, Shelters, partners, respective stakeholders, and consultants engaged by ECDD.
• Ensure high-quality facilitation of trainings, dialogues, and advocacy processes.
• Ensures good communication, coordination, and information sharing among the project team through facilitating regular team meetings, followed by minutes of the meeting shared with the Program Director and Deputy Program Director.

C. Rights-Based Approach and Inclusion, Advocacy, Policy Engagement, and Civic Space

• Ensure that project implementation reflects the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), African Disability Protocol, Sustainable Development Goals, and other relevant domestic, regional, and international legal provisions.
• Promote meaningful, safe, and ethical participation of persons with disabilities throughout the implementation of the project.
• Support engagement of persons with disabilities with government institutions, Parliament, and relevant ministries to advance their disability rights.
• Facilitate platforms for leaders of OPDs to influence decision-making at national and regional levels.
• Support evidence-based advocacy and documentation of policy influence outcomes.

D. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Strengthen collaboration with OPDs, government institutions, duty-bearers, human-rights institutions, and oversight institutions to ensure successful implementation of the project and promote disability rights.
• Facilitate constructive engagement between rights-holders and duty-bearers.
• Actively support joint advocacy initiatives throughout the project target areas.

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

• Coordinate with the MEL team and participate in the development and implementation of project MEAL frameworks and plans in line with PC and requirements.
• Track progress against agreed indicators, milestones, and outcomes, including fund utilization, and identify any gaps, and provide consistent updates to the Program, MEL, and Finance Units, as well as to the Donor.
• Ensure collection of high-quality, disaggregated data (including disability, age, and gender).
• Document and report project achievements, lessons learned, best practices, and emerging risks related to disability rights advocacy, together with mitigation strategies.
• Support reflection, learning, and adaptive programming processes.

F. Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare timely and high-quality narrative reports, updates, and inputs for donor, government signatories, as well as the MEL Unit of ECDD
• Ensure accurate documentation of project outputs, outcomes, and evidence of change.
• Contribute to success stories, case studies, and advocacy briefs as required.
• Maintain proper project records and documentation in line with ECDD, PC, and back donor standards.

G. Financial and Compliance Oversight

• Coordinate closely with ECDD finance and operations teams to ensure budget adherence and cost-effectiveness, timely financial reporting and forecasting, and compliance with donor, PC, and ECDD policies
• Support procurement planning and contract management related to project activities.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant ECDD policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Anti-fraud and bribery, Gender Equality, Data Protection, Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources Management.

H. Representation and Visibility

• Represent ECDD in relevant project-related forums, meetings, and events as delegated.
• Contribute to visibility and communication efforts in coordination with PC and ECDD communication teams.
• Ensure ethical and safe representation of persons with different types of disabilities in all communications.

Required Qualifications, Experiences, Competencies, and Skills

Education

• First degree or Master’s degree in Human Rights/Law, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, Project Management, or a related field.
• Specialized training in disability rights and rights-based programming is an asset.

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year for first degree holders with relevant professional experience in NGO or community-based projects.
• Experience in disability inclusion, advocacy, MHPSS, or governance.
• Proven experience working with OPDs, government stakeholders, and community structures.

Competency

• Strong understanding of disability rights and inclusion principles.
• Skills in facilitation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
• Good reporting and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

Core Attributes and Language Requirements

• Integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Strong communication skills in English and Amharic (sign language proficiency is a plus).
• Commitment to human rights and disability inclusion.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Experience in advocacy and policy engagement is an asset.