Project Officer- Ethiopia Seed Activity

About CRS 

The Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP) is an emergency food assistance program targeting transitory food insecure households through a project participant targeting process led by the Government of Ethiopia’s (GoE) Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC). JEOP provides emergency assistance to protect their lives and livelihood where recurrent drought affected in significant harvest loss, livestock death and price increase of essentials. The consortium is led by CRS and includes consortium partners, CARE, Food for the Hungry, Relief Society of Tigray (REST), World Vision and Organization for Relief and Development in Amhara (ORDA). CRS also works thorough local implementing partners Hararghe and Meki Catholic Secretariat (HCS and MCS).

As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position.

Job Title:                        Project Officer-Ethiopia Seed Activity

Band:                             7

Required number:        One

Department:                Programs

Employment Term:      Definite Term (i.e. till September 2028)

Reports To:                   Technical Advisor and Policy Lead

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Deadline:                        March 29, 2024

Job Summary: 

The Ethiopia Seed Activity aims to bridge gaps between formal and informal seed systems, and between crops and livestock sub-sectors by formalizing the informal seed system through developing and implementing Quality Declared Seed (QDS) protocols for a wide array of crop-seed varieties, and by establishing a farmers’ variety registration system that will increase genetic heterogeneity on farmers’ fields and augment last-mile resilience. As a Project Officer, you will closely work with the MEAL Manager and Technical Advisor and Policy Lead, and other team members to provide technical and operational support to the Ethiopia Seed Activity to ensure program quality. You will also support with monitoring and reporting on project activities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities including but not limited to:
• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned program activities as outlined in the Ethiopia Seed Activity detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Support MEAL Manager through coordinating project monitoring and evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools.
• Provide key MEAL support including providing input for MEAL system design and review discussions, supervising quality data collection and management activities, leading simple analyses and reflective discussions on ongoing monitoring data, and training enumerators on the conduct of field-based MEAL activities.
• Follow up and facilitate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Work with MEAL Manager to monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Monitor and report on Ethiopia seed activity project activities.
• Ensure that all pertinent documents and data are entered in Gateway.
• Contribute to initial monitoring findings and assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support compliance with agency and donor MEAL requirements
• Support Grants Officer with budget management of the award including reviewing liquidation records and reconciliation documents.
• Work with Ethiopia Seed Activity staff to provide operational and technical support on overall implementation of the activity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Basic Qualifications

• MA/MSc or BA/BSc degree in the field of Agriculture, Seed Technology, Development works, or other relevant fields. 
• 2 years relevant experience for MA/MSc or 4 years relevant experience for BA/BSc degree. NGO experience is a plus.
• Experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data is highly preferred.
• Experience in the field of MEAL.

Required Languages – Fluency in Amharic and English is required and knowledge of any other local language is a plus.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
• Agency Leadership Competencies:
• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

External

 Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.