Project Officer

Conciliation Resources

Conflict is difficult, complex and political. The world urgently needs to find different ways to respond. Conciliation Resources (CR) is an international organisation committed to stopping violent conflict and creating more peaceful societies. We work with people impacted by war and violence, bringing diverse voices together to make change that lasts. For over 25 years, we have been making peace possible. We currently have over 100 full and part-time staff members, working mainly out of the London and Australian offices. We work with over 70 locally-based and international partners worldwide.

Conciliation Resources has been active in the Horn of Africa since 2012. Our work predominantly focuses on Ethiopia and Kenya and to a lesser extent Somalia. We have locally-based staff-consultants in Kenya and Ethiopia as well as a local office in Jigjiga in the Somali regional state of Ethiopia. CR is registered as an international NGO in Ethiopia and Kenya. The Horn of Africa programme is committed to long term presence and supporting peacebuilding and conflict transformation in the region in collaboration with national, sub-national and local governments, civil society and communities. We would also like to develop the programme to meet new demands working with new partners in new areas.

Job purpose

The Project Officer provides programmatic and logistical support necessary for the implementation of the Horn of Africa programme’s work in Ethiopia. The post holder will play a key role in liaising with partners across the areas in which we work, and in supporting the team in Jigjiga and London on activity implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), and donor reporting requirements. The Project Officer will be based in Addis Ababa or Jigjiga and may undertake travel within Ethiopia. The Project Officer reports to the Program Manager, and works closely with our teams based in London, Nairobi and Jigjiga. The role will also work with a local implementation partner and a number of community-based organisations and networks directly supported by the programme or through the local partner including coaching and training. The Project Officer also liaises government departments, national coordination platforms establishing strong partnerships and relationships.

Person specification

Essential knowledge, skills and experience

• A background in social science and humanities preferably BA/Bsc Degree or higher in political science, public administration, sociology, management etc.
• A minimum of 3 years experience in project management in peace building, development or related work.
• Strong organisational skills including planning, developing, implementing and maintaining administrative systems.
• Understanding of and interest in peacebuilding and conflict transformation processes.
• Initiative, proactiveness, enthusiasm and a problem-solving approach to new challenges.
• Willingness to work irregular hours occasionally and to undertake some international travel to areas affected by conflict.
• Excellent numeracy and accuracy skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Amharic and English (Afaan Oromo and Tigrigna are considered an advantage).
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages, databases, email, internet in a Mac environment.
• Appreciation of issues of confidentiality, and cross-cultural and political sensitivity.

Desirable knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience supporting partners on the successful joint delivery of work and accompanying local community-based organisations with limited organisational (financial and management) capacities and limited background in peace building.
• Experience of supporting monitoring, evaluation and reporting of projects.
• Experience of working with databases and handling diverse sources of information.
• Hostile environment awareness training (HEAT), or willingness to undertake hostile environment awareness training.
• Living and working experience in Ethiopia.

Note: applicants must have the right to live and work in Ethiopia. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Skills Required:

• Hr / Public / Admin
• Political / Science / Ir
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development