Program Officer

Position Purpose

The Program Officer – Eye Health Project Coordinator will serve as the primary operational focal person for the "Seeing the Future" project. While holding the organizational title of Program Officer in line with Cheshire Ethiopia's job grading structure, the incumbent will function in the overall capacity of a Project Coordinator, responsible for the day-to-day planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all project activities across the target regions.

The position requires a dynamic professional with strong project management competencies, sound understanding of health program implementation, and a genuine commitment to disability-inclusive development. The Program Officer will work closely with regional eye health teams, partner hospitals, government health offices, and CBM Ethiopia to ensure timely, quality, and inclusive delivery of project results.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Project Planning and Implementation

• Leads the development and regular updating of detailed annual work plans, activity schedules, and procurement plans in alignment with the project document (PPA) and donor requirements.
• Coordinates and oversees field-level implementation of all project activities across Oromia, Sidama, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, and Amhara regional states.
• Facilitates the setup, renovation, and operationalization of eye care facilities at Menagesha Secondary Eye Unit and Hawassa Primary Eye Care Center.
• Oversees the establishment and functioning of the optical manufacturing workshop and dispensary at Hawassa, including procurement of raw materials such as lenses and frames.
• Coordinates mobile outreach visits to remote and underserved villages in collaboration with government health facilities and satellite units.
• Ensures the project adopts a disability-inclusive, gender-sensitive, and rights-based approach in all activities.
• Performa other similar duties as assigned by the program Director.

Stakeholder Coordination and Liaison

• Serves as the principal point of contact for project stakeholders, including CBM Ethiopia Country Office, regional health bureaus, woreda health offices, partner hospitals (e.g., ALERT), and community leaders.
• Facilitates regular coordination meetings, joint planning sessions, and review forums with governmental and non-governmental partners.
• Represents Cheshire Ethiopia in relevant technical working groups, health cluster meetings, and eye health coordination platforms per the directive of the program Director.
• Maintains strong working relationships with satellite primary health care facilities (21 facilities targeted) to strengthen screening, referral, and primary-level eye care capacities.

Capacity Building and Training Coordination

• Organizes and coordinates training workshops for health extension workers, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and clinical nurses on basic and inclusive eye care based on WHO guidelines.
• Facilitates training for community rehabilitation workers and school teachers on identification of eye conditions and referral pathways.
• Supports the development of training materials, guidelines, and eye care capacity-building packages in collaboration with partner hospitals.
• Coordinates World Sight Day events, community-based awareness campaigns, and school-based eye health screening activities.

Community Engagement and Awareness

• Designs and implements community-based awareness programs using local media, schools, community centers, and faith-based organizations.
• Ensures the distribution of educational materials on eye health, common eye diseases, and preventive measures across target communities.
• Establishes and maintains community feedback mechanisms and ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities, women, and marginalized groups are incorporated into program delivery.
• Conducts rapid assessments and community mapping to identify high-need areas, target groups, and referral linkages.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Implements project monitoring systems and ensure regular tracking of performance indicators including consultation targets (52,500), cataract surgeries (5,000), eyeglasses distribution (13,500), and outreach visits (10).
• Collects, verifies, and analyzes project data to assess progress against targets and outcomes; prepare data-driven reports and case studies.
• Conducts and supports regular field monitoring visits (minimum 9 over project duration) and document findings with corrective action plans.
• Coordinates the project kickoff workshop, annual stakeholders' review and learning forums, and final evaluation.
• Prepares high-quality monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual project progress reports for internal and donor use in compliance with CBM reporting standards.

Financial and Resource Management

• Supports preparation of annual budgets and participate in budget revision processes in coordination with the Finance team.
• Monitors project expenditure against approved budgets and flag variances promptly to the Program Manager and Finance unit.
• Oversees efficient management and utilization of project resources including vehicles, medical equipment, optical supplies, and office materials.
• Ensures compliance with Cheshire Ethiopia's financial policies, procurement procedures, and CBM financial management guidelines.

Compliance, Risk, and Safeguarding

• Ensures full compliance with legal, regulatory, organizational, and donor requirements throughout project implementation.
• Identifies, documents, and escalates project risks; develops and monitors implementation of risk mitigation plans.
• Upholds and promotes Cheshire Ethiopia's safeguarding, child protection, and do-no-harm policies in all activities.
• Ensuree health and safety protocols are followed during clinical and outreach activities.

Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Maintains systematic and accurate records of project activities, beneficiary data, financial transactions, and correspondence.
• Documents lessons learned, best practices, and success stories for organizational learning and external communication.
• Contributes to knowledge-sharing platforms and support the development of project briefs, case studies, and donor communication materials.

Working Conditions

The position is based at Cheshire Ethiopia's head office in Addis Ababa, with frequent field travel required across project operational areas in Oromia, Sidama and South Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, and Amhara regional states. The post holder must be prepared for travel to remote and rural areas under varying field conditions.

Salary and benefits are set according to Cheshire Ethiopia's organizational salary scale for the Program Officer grade. The initial contract duration is one (1) year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, project needs, and availability of funds as outlined in the project budget.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Cheshire Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or disability status. Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Cheshire Ethiopia is committed to a workplace free from discrimination and dedicated to the principles of inclusion and diversity.

Education

• Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Health Sciences, Master in Project Management, or a related field — Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
• OR Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Optometry, Health Officer, or related health/development discipline — Minimum 7 years of relevant experience.
• Additional qualifications or certifications in eye health, disability-inclusive development, or project management are an added advantage.

Professional Experience

• Proven experience in coordinating or managing health or development projects at program officer, project coordinator, or equivalent level in an NGO setting.
• Demonstrated experience working on health system strengthening, community health outreach, or inclusive health programs; experience in eye health or related clinical services is a strong advantage.
• Experience in multi-regional project implementation and working with government health structures (regional health bureaus, woredas, health facilities).
• Experience in working with persons with disabilities or in disability-focused organizations is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with CBM, international NGO, or institutional donor project management and reporting requirements is an asset.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Strong project planning, coordination, and implementation skills with the ability to manage complex multi-site programs.
• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation, including indicator tracking, data collection, analysis, and results-based reporting.
• Solid financial literacy and ability to manage budgets, review expenditure reports, and ensure financial accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Amharic is required; knowledge of additional regional languages is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with project management tools is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

Personal Attributes

• Deep commitment to disability inclusion, gender equity, and the rights of marginalized populations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• High level of initiative, accountability, and ability to work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to undertake frequent travel to remote and underserved areas across multiple regional states.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and adherence to organizational and donor codes of conduct.

Skills Required:

• Health / Medical