Community Development Officer

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is a national member association to the International Federation of SOS Children’s Villages. It is non- political, not-for-profit, and non-religious social development organization focused on the wellbeing and development of children. It was founded in 1974 and has been a development partner since then with positive outcomes in the lives of many children, families and communities.

The SOS Children’s Village Program Harar, Hamaresa is looking for a competent and able Two Community Development Officers that meet the requirements stated bellow.

 Position summary

The Community development Officer is responsible for guiding and supporting the work with individual families participating in the programme, for whom s/he has been allocated responsibility.  This involves directly assessing the family situation of potential child participants and facilitating the development of a family’s first family development plan (FDP).  Beyond the holder works closely with co-workers of the community-based partners (key implementation partners), to realise the programme’s commitments towards the development of the family vis-à-vis the family’s own contributions, and to support the community-based partner in it’s role as the ‘first line’ of contact and support for the family.

Priority tasks & responsibilities

1.     Lead the initial assessment of families of potential child participants

2.     Facilitate the preparation of a family’s first family development plan (FDP)

3.     Support co-workers of the community-based partner(s) in their work with families

4.     Support the effective delivery of support services by the programme

5.     Support monitoring & evaluation within the programme

6.     Planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the project activities

Mobilization and management of the resources

Competencies and Education requirement 

•  BA degree in a relevant subject area, such as community development, social work, social sciences, or public administration.


• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in the field of community development or social services.


• Fluent in at least one of the languages spoken in the programme’s target communities.


• Good verbal and written communication skills.


• Awareness and basic understanding of issues affecting orphans & vulnerable children, such as the      causes of vulnerability (e.g. HIV & AIDS, gender discrimination, poverty, etc.), local and national responses, etc.


• Basic computer skills (Windows, Word)


• Understanding of child development issues, including knowledge of child rights, child protection, child welfare, childcare and parenting; and relevant local and national laws, regulations and protocols.


• Understanding of family development and community development, and sustainability of programme responses and outcomes.


• Good analytical and reporting skills, including ability to identify problems and possible solutions, and ability to clearly reflect these in a report.


• Counselling skills, including ability to advice, influence and guide programme participants and other community members.


• People development skills, including facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills, to build the capacities of co-workers from partner organisations; as well as of children and their care-givers, and other community members.


• Collaboration skills, being driven to work with others and able to build strong working relationships community members and groups.


• Experience in working with food Security project


• Hands on experience in the promotion of IGA, SACCO/VSLA

Closing date: Feb 05, 2016

Application instruction

Qualified applicants with the mentioned criteria shall submit their applications, CV and other credentials to the following web application