BACKGROUND

The Environment and Coffee Forest Forum (ECFF) is co-implementing the “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forested Landscapes in Southwestern Ethiopia” project, led by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and funded by Sida/ the Embassy of Sweden. ECFF is a local, non-political, non-religious and not-for profit civil society organization licensed and registered in Ethiopia since 2005. The vision of ECFF is a healthy and prosperous society that values, conserves and sustainably uses nature.

The project aims to contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of forested landscapes in the Southwest Ethiopia for their climate, biodiversity, ecosystem services and economic benefits through gender transformative and socially inclusive approach. The project is implemented in different woredas of located in Bunno Beddele, Ilu Abbabor and Jimma zones of Oromia, and Dawuro, Kafa and Konta zones of the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ (SWEP) regional states. It has four main outcomes: (1) Improved conservation of biodiversity in the forested landscape; (2) Improved management of forest resources for multiple functions; (3) Improved gender equality and livelihoods of communities living in and around the forested landscapes; and (4) Strengthened institutional, human and system capacity and multi-stakeholder coordination.

ECFF’s main role is implementation of the first two outcomes, while also contributing to the other outcomes implemented by other consortium members. ECFF is hiring dedicated and experienced Field Office Coordinator. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION: the Field Office Coordinator will coordinate project implementation activities at field level, including technical, financial and administrative issues, and will report to the Project Manager. S/He will supervise Forest and Fiodiversity specialist, Gender Expert, Woreda Forestry Experts, field office Project Accountant and driver. The position requires strong skills in other stakeholders’ engagement, and team and partnership building that positively contributes to the overall implementation of the project, and good understanding of project interventions that integrate agriculture, conservation, forested landscapes management and livelihoods.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project coordination and management

• Project management, coordination, monitoring & evaluation, reporting and partnership

• Day to day follow-up of site level project implementation in Oromia and SWEP regional states

• Acting as the focal person of the project at the project sites level, for ECFF staff and external actors;

• Communicate regularly with the Project Manager at ECFF and local stakeholders and zonal government sector offices;

• Regularly review the activity plan, monitor project and activity progress, compile periodical reports and submit to the Project Manager;

• Assuring that the project is implemented in line with donor as well as government requirements;

• Conduct monitoring and follow up visit for proper implementation of the project at zonal, district, community levels;

• Ensure that resources assigned are properly and efficiently utilized;

• Support in developing project proposals and concept notes that contribute to scaling up and program growth of ECFF in the eco-region;

• Willing to handle other responsibilities and tasks apart from the aforementioned ones as per request.

Finance and Administration tasks

• Supervise and make sure project’s financial reports are delivered on time to ECFF head office  (expenses summary, Balance Sheet and Cash flow statements, bank statements, and budget analyses);

• Review the multiyear project budget in collaboration with the Project Manager and ECFF Finance;

• Day to day follow-up on all financial transactions of the field office;

• Evaluate weekly field and woreda office staff progress report and monitor achievements and improvements. 

Technical leadership

• Liaise with local offices of Agriculture and forestry in planning and implementation of all project activities in the project area;

• Oversee forest based livelihood development programs in consultation with project staff and consortium organizations, communities, local stakeholders and private sectors at different levels;

• Oversee value-chain development for non-timber forest products (coffee, beekeeping, spices, bamboo and the like);

• Communicate lessons, results and best practices to partners and communities;

• Guide adoption of Forest Management Plan and development of local forest bylaws;

• Facilitate organization of trainings for experts, development agents and farmers at regional and district levels.

DUTY STATION: Jimma, with frequent travel to project sites.

DURATION & HOURS: Full Time, and contract for one year, with a possibility of extension

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• An MSc., or equivalent in Natural resources economics, Environmental science, Rural development, Forest and environment policy or related disciplines;

• Fluent in English, Afaan Oromo and Amharic. Knowledge of additional local language is a plus;

• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in management, project planning, and project development programs, preferably in the south west eco-region;

• Experience of working with NGOs and private-sector agencies.

• Excellent management, coordination, training, reporting and communication skills

• Track record in project development, management and implementation

• Track record with gender-sensitive participatory, governance and inclusion approaches

• Track record in grant applications and writing scientific articles

• Track record in project physical and financial planning, project budget and activities monitoring, report writing, team building, coaching and supervision of project staff;

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Report writing skills in English, especially result-based reporting;

• Fast learner and willingness to deliver results on time;

• Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines;

• Excellent team player, good team spirit & skill sets to connect with the community, partners and other project staff;

• Ability to develop and manage complex budgets

• Experience in developing new projects, developing log frames, work plans and delivering projects against milestones and targets

• Ability to use and understand GIS and other basic natural resources monitoring software

• Flexible in terms of traveling and living conditions.

How to Apply

Apply within 7 working days from the date of publication of the notice online, by submitting updated CV, application letter, copies of credentials and work experiences through email or post mail. E-mail: kiduhaile@yahoo.com; kidistbirmeta@gmail.com or P.O. Box 28513 Addis Ababa.