About Holt International-Ethiopia

 

Holt International Children’s Services is a non-profit child welfare organization operating on a global scale, dedicated to creating a world where every child receives the essential care and support necessary for their full development. Established in 1956, the organization was founded with the vision of ensuring that every child has a nurturing and secure home. Since then, Holt has implemented various programs aimed at empowering families at risk of separation, providing critical assistance to orphaned and vulnerable children, and leading efforts within the global community to connect children in need with loving families. In Ethiopia, Holt International has delivered integrated family strengthening, health, education, nutrition, and alternative care services to over hundred thousand children across three regions of Ethiopia since 2008. Our core expertise lies in preventing child-family separation and reducing reliance on residential care by addressing root causes—poverty, poor health, and lack of access to education.

Summary 

The Program Coordinator will provide technical coordination of the Foster-to-Adopt activities. The position is responsible for managing child referral and placement processes, supporting family recruitment and preparation, strengthening partnerships, overseeing monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring compliance with child protection standards, and facilitating permanency outcomes for children through reunification, foster care, and adoption.

The Program Coordinator will work closely with government stakeholders, partner organizations, social workers, care centers, faith-based organizations, and communities to ensure high-quality, child-centered services that prioritize the best interests of children.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Implementation and Coordination

• Coordinate the implementation of Foster-to-Adopt program activities in accordance with organizational policies, national legislation, and child protection standards.

• Provide technical guidance and support to program staff and partner organizations.

• Monitor the foster-to-Adopt program performance against approved plans, targets, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Organize and facilitate regular coordination meetings with partners and stakeholders.

• Represent Holt International-Ethiopia in meetings, workshops, conferences, and forums related to child protection and alternative care services.

• Ensure effective collaboration and communication among internal departments, partner organizations, and government stakeholders.

 

Child Protection and Permanency Planning

 

• Coordinate child referral, assessment, matching, placement, reunification, and adoption processes.

• Lead the transition of children from foster care to permanent family solutions.

• Ensure all child placement decisions are made in accordance with the best interests of the child and established legal and ethical standards.

• Monitor attachment, bonding, and adjustment processes for matched children and families.

• Lead post-placement and post-adoption follow-up services to ensure children's safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes.

• Support the preparation of biological families and children for reunification when appropriate.

 

Family Recruitment and Support

 

• Lead recruitment, screening, assessment, preparation, and qualification of foster and adoptive families.

• Facilitate pre-placement orientation and training for prospective foster and adoptive parents.

• Coordinate family strengthening and empowerment interventions to support permanency outcomes.

• Work closely with families throughout the placement and adoption process to ensure appropriate support and guidance.

 

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

 

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Women, Children and Youth Affairs Offices, courts, care institutions, community structures, faith-based organizations, and other partners.

• Facilitate child referral processes and follow up on legal documentation and case management requirements.

• Strengthen collaboration with partner organizations to improve service quality and program effectiveness.

• Support advocacy and awareness-raising efforts that promote family-based care, domestic adoption, and child protection.

• Facilitate initiatives that increase public awareness and visibility of the Foster-to-Adopt Program through media engagement, promotional campaigns, community outreach, and other innovative communication approaches.

 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

 

• Coordinate and provide technical guidance to partner organization social workers and project staff to ensure quality implementation of program activities and compliance with established standards and procedures. 

• Monitor and follow up on the timely completion of child assessments, legal documentation, case management processes, and permanency planning activities in collaboration with partner organizations. 

• Undertake regular field visits to project areas, partner institutions, government offices, and communities to oversee program implementation, provide technical support, assess progress against planned activities, and strengthen stakeholders’ engagement. 

• Coordinate with program and M&E staff to review implementation progress, utilize monitoring findings, identify challenges, and support continuous program improvement. 

• Ensure that children's nutritional, medical, psychosocial, developmental, and protection needs are adequately addressed.

• Prepare reports and document key observations and recommendations, and follow-up on agreed action points to ensure timely implementation of corrective measures. Prepare high-quality narrative and statistical reports for management, donors, and stakeholders.

 

Program Development and Resource Mobilization

 

• Contribute to program design, proposal development, work planning, and budget preparation.

• Support project modifications, learning initiatives, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen and expand family-based care services.

• Support organizational efforts in resource mobilization and program sustainability.

 

Field Monitoring and Supervision

 

• Provide technical supervision and support to partner organization social workers and project staff.

• Ensure timely completion of child assessments, legal documentation, and case management requirements.

• Undertake frequent travel to project areas, partner institutions, government offices, and communities to monitor implementation progress, provide technical assistance, and strengthen partnerships.

• Prepare field visit reports and follow up on agreed action points.

 

 

Organization: Holt International-Ethiopia

Position Title: Foster-to-Adopt Program Coordinator 

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to project areas and partner locations

Reports To: Foster-to-Adopt Program Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Number of Positions: One (1)

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Sociology, Psychology, Child Development, Law, Public Health, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience.

• Demonstrated experience in child protection, alternative childcare, foster care, adoption, family strengthening, case management, or related programs.

• Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations.

• Proven experience in project coordination, monitoring and evaluation, partnership management, and stakeholder engagement.

Required Competencies

• Strong understanding of child protection, alternative care, and family-based care principles.

• Knowledge of Ethiopian child protection policies, procedures, and legal frameworks.

• Excellent project planning, coordination, and organizational skills.

• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.

• Excellent report writing and communication skills in English and Amharic.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under minimal supervision.

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding children.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to children's rights and family-based care approaches.

• Willingness and ability to undertake frequent travel to project areas, including remote locations.

• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.

• Commitment to Holt International-Ethiopia's Child Safeguarding and Protection policies.

Child Safeguarding

Holt International-Ethiopia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful candidates will be expected to adhere to the organization's Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct and may be subject to background verification and reference checks.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit the following documents:

A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position.

An updated CV/resume.

Copies of relevant academic and professional credentials.

Applications should be submitted electronically to:

mihretb@ethiopia.holtinternational.org

Please indicate "Application for Foster-to-Adopt Program Coordinator " in the subject line of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Holt International-Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Qualified women candidates and individuals committed to promoting child rights, family strengthening,

 and family-based care are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Requirements Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Child Development, Law, Public Health, Development Studies, or a related field from a recognized college or university. Candidates should have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in child protection, alternative childcare, foster care, adoption, family strengthening, case management, or related programs. How to Apply Submit your non-returnable application and CV along with supporting documents in Via email mihretb@ethiopia.holtinternational.org