Food Security and Livelihood Assistant (Gofa Geze)

Who we are

 SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community-based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

As part of SOS CVE's effort to respond to different emergencies such as landslide, drought, flood, conflict etc, which arise from time to time in different parts of the country, the organization has secured funding from Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to implement 12-months emergency project tilted as “Saving Lives and Livelihoods by Restoring Agricultural Productivity and Mental Health of landslide Survivors of Gezei Gofa Communities living in Kencho Shacha Gozdi, Kencho Gozdi Woyiza and Burda Kebeles.

Why we need you?

We are looking for a Food Security and Livelihood Assistant (FSL) who will be based in our Field office (Bulki town) and is responsible for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of livelihood programs aimed at improving the economic resilience and self-reliance of landslide survivors living in Kencho Shacha Gozdi, Kencho Gozdi Woyiza and Burda Kebeles.  The role focuses on facilitating distribution of project inputs, skills development (agronomic and harvest handling and management), income generation, and market-based interventions while ensuring that programs are inclusive, sustainable, and culturally appropriate. The job holder monitors the usage of inputs, and provides support in organizing trainings, as guided by FSL Coordinator, in accordance with the project scope and framework.

What we provide?

 An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

While working with us as a Food Security and Livelihood Assistant you will be in charge of the following,

Technical Reporting to: the Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator who is based in Bulki Town Project office

Administrative Reporting to: FCSP & FD Manager & HR Coordinator based at SOS CVE Hawassa Location office

Duties and Responsibilities

The FSL Assistant is a primary level field based position under the direct supervision of FSL Project Coordinator. The FSL Assistant will be responsible for community sensitization, mobilization, formation of VSLAs, group IGAs and facilitation in implementation of food security and livelihoods activities with target community.

Key Responsibilities:

Project implementation

• Support in carrying out transparent beneficiary selection & targeting as per criteria in close coordination with project steering committee, local authorities, and communities
• Coordinate the distribution of project inputs assets (hand farming tools, seeds/seedlings, organic and chemical fertilizers, poultry and cooking stoves) according to project specification
• Provide guidance to beneficiaries on the proper use and maintenance of distributed assets.
• Develop training materials, presentations, and resources to support the training sessions.
• Facilitate hands-on practical activities (training) to enhance participants' skills in pouty rearing, horticulture(garden preparation, planting, watering, pest control, and harvesting), fattening, vermin compost production
• Ensure that individuals in need of Protection assistance, identified through FSL activities, are timely and adequately referred to the Protection Team. Equally ensure to timely follow up on internal and external referrals received from SOS CVE Protection Team or from other organizations.
• Conduct any other project activities related to the provision of FSL services and assistance as instructed by the FSL Coordinator

Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor and track the progress of livelihood activities to ensure alignment with project goals and donor requirements.
• Collect and analyze data on implementation, attendance, beneficiary feedback, and agriculture performance
• Maintain accurate records of project activities, beneficiaries, and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of asset distribution for transparency and accountability.
• Contribute to progress reports and post-distribution monitoring.
• Prepare and submit timely reports, success stories, and case studies to the Livelihood Coordinator.

Child Safeguarding

• Responsible to ensure that all project participants are receiving ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about SOS Children’s Villages Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Ensure that all support is provided on the best interest of the child.
• Responsible to take part in raise awareness raising sessions and capacity building trainings in relation to CS and Code of Conduct and to prevent and protect children and young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
• Support children and young people to make them understand the CS risks and protection mechanisms
• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS team at programme level and/or to the respective line manager

Job Requirements

 Up for the challenge...

 Then check out our criteria’s:

 Must Criteria

• Education to Bsc degree in Agriculture, economics, management sciences or related fields
• 3 years of experience with NGO or other development actors including at least 1 year in FSL sector
• Knowledge of the targeted areas (Gezei Gofa Woreda) and local communities is required.
• Ability to work in the field
• Experience working in and familiarity with concept of VSLA
• Good communication skills
• Computer skills (especially MS Excel and MS Word) is an asset

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

 Core COMPETENCY (these competencies are relevant for every co-worker):

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others.
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary.
• Results Orientation: look for solutions and focus on desired results.

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above position, please send your application letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV) with the names and contact details of three referees.

Please be informed that applications that are late, or do not have CV, will be disqualified and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications should be sent electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

Click to view our EVP Brochure

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, and police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.