Job Description
Coordinates with:
Inside Wetlands International: Project Manager – Source to Sea, Eco-regional Lead, Rift Valley; Program Officer – Central Rift Valley; Technical Coordinator – Central Rift Valley; Project Officer – Turkana; Wetlands International Global Office and Eastern Africa – Source to Sea teams
Outside Wetlands International: non-governmental organisations, government agencies (national) and research organisations
BACKGROUND
Wetlands International is the only NGO dedicated to safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people and nature. We seek to inspire and mobilise society to act and influence levers of change. 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. We bring knowledge into policy and practice, connect local actions in 100 countries to make a global difference, catalyse actions that support those that use or depend on wetlands, and are passionate about the positive change we make for people and nature. A Supervisory Council and a Board of the Association of 35 national government and non-governmental organisation members govern our global not-for-profit network of 20 independent offices. Our website outlines the values, strategies and policies that guide our work.
Wetlands International is a legally registered international NGO operating in Ethiopia (registration number 4143). We collaborate with government agencies, civil society and community groups to safeguard and restore wetlands jointly. One of the landscapes we are working in is the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. It includes several projects: WASH SDG (2018
– 2028) and Source to Sea (2022 – 2024) that are in partnership with partners like AMREF Health Africa and IRC. The Central Rift Valley projects address the drivers of the loss of wetlands and their biodiversity. They work towards enabling conditions for integrated
wetland management and associated water resources solutions at landscape and ecoregional scales.
The Ethiopia Country Program seeks a WASH Advisor and Policy Advocacy Officer to join our growing portfolio. We are looking for a competent person with proven experience in policy, advocacy and influencing work. The Policy and. Advocacy Officer will be responsible for supporting the policy, advocacy and influencing work and will work closely with other staff to ensure effective delivery of the results and objectives. The incumbent will also be expected to facilitate joint planning, implementation and integration with other Wetlands International projects and work closely with other staff in the Wetlands International Network.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Policy and Advocacy (50%)
- Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and corresponding work plans to achieve policy change at the national and regional levels
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with national and regional level policymakers, governments and ministerial officials and staff, and strategic partners and develop structures to provide policy advice to the Ethiopian federal and regional governments
- Provide technical and policy advisory support on environmental (wetlands, forests) and WASH issues
- To undertake research on the projects and programmes, primarily to produce policy briefs on behalf of and in conjunction with other project staff
- To gather, analyse, and ensure the exchange and circulation of information on Wetlands International projects and on Ethiopian government activities related to the project objectives
- Contribute to strategically relevant policy areas and identify emerging policy issues;
- To help develop and coordinate policy advice to Wetlands International projects and programmes related to government departments and administrations
- To liaise with and support the project partners on behalf of Wetlands International as required.
- To attend Ethiopian Governing Bodies and regionally and internationally important events, including related representational work, producing research and briefings as required.
- To plan, organise and present at events as required for the Wetlands International projects and programmes.
- To contribute to improving Wetlands International projects and programmes’ effectiveness and relevance to the international development agenda.
- To deputise the Programme Manager as required.
WASH SDG Project coordination (50%)
- Serve as the focal person for the WASH SDG project and support in all phases of the project cycle, from appraisal, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through regular field visits, training-based capacity building, and desk-based feedback to field staff and partners
- Facilitate collaboration with implementing partners, regional and federal government sector offices and other stakeholders
- Provide coordination and management support to the WASH SDG project activities:
- Promote the integration of IWRM and wetlands restoration with the WASH SDG program activities
- Ensure that WASH SDG program activities are designed and implemented from a resilient climate lens
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of the project report with acceptable quality
- Designing and implementing operational research and development activities, including documentation of best practices and lessons learnt
Reporting to: Country Representative, Ethiopia
Type of contract: Initial 1 year contract, including a probation period of 3 months (with the possibility of extension)
Start date: As soon as possible
Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Education
- Advanced (Master’s) Degree in a relevant discipline such as environmental science, natural resources management, rural development
Experience
- At least seven years of relevant practical experience in policy, advocacy and influencing, especially on the environment and climate change
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant and proven experience in project management
- Sound knowledge of integrated water resources management issues, including WASH, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (ECO-DRR), biodiversity and other related fields
- Interest in current environmental and development matters
- Experience in high-level capacity building activities and public speaking
- Experience building and maintaining partnerships with Government, NGOs and other development partners and the private sector
- Experience implementing a development program with communities and governments in wetland settings
- A good understanding of the environmental problems of the Central Rift Valley.
- Prior experience with iNGOs is an asset.
- Commitment to Wetlands International’s mission values and ways of working
Core competencies and skills
- Ability to communicate the benefits of sustainable ecosystems to stakeholders from different sectors
- Project management skills including development of work plans, project financial management, monitoring and evaluation and effective reporting
- Strategic thinker and innovator
- Strong organisational and planning skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well and flexibly
- Flexibility, adaptability and team orientation; the ability to work independently yet productively is essential
- Ability to build relationships, networks and alliances
- Proven ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills and ability to communicate to a variety of audiences in English
- Comprehensive computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Email and Internet packages
- Proficient in using office applications (MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint) and other web-based management systems.
REMUNERATION
- Remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
To apply for this position, send a detailed CV and a cover letter (not more than two pages) summarising your suitability for the job to the Human Resources Assistant via email: [email protected] with copy to [email protected]
Please mark the subject: “Policy and Advocacy Officer”. All questions about the vacancy and procedure must be sent to this email address.
The expected net remuneration and names and contact details of two referees must be indicated in the email.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
More Information
- Address Ethiopia
- Experience Level Senior
- Total Years Experience 5-10
