Project Officer

About us

Christian Aid is the development and campaigning agency of 40 sponsoring churches in the UK and Ireland. We have a vision – an end to poverty – and we believe that vision can become a reality. We are striving to bring lasting change to the lives of poor and marginalized communities. In pursuit of this goal, we work in partnership with national NGOs in Ethiopia on Secure Livelihoods, Community Health and HIV/AIDS, and Climate Change programmes.Role purpose

The post holder is responsible for supporting Christian Aid’s portfolio of partnerships and projects within a country or group of countries. To support the development of Christian Aid policy and strategy by providing the programme team with partner feedback.   To contribute to the representation of Christian Aid at country/regional/divisional level. Responsible for the capacity-building of partners. To help ensure that project resources and planned project activities are undertaken within budget and time frame which enable impact and direct benefit to target communities.  Works with the country /thematic programme management team to support delivery of projects to the highest standards and in line with the country, divisional and organisational strategy.  To act as the interface between participating partners and Christian Aid and/or donors including coordinating feedback, representation in key stakeholders meetings and contributing to strengthening of partner relationships. More specifically, this role will lead on the lead in  the deliverables for the  Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies in Gambella Project, which is part of the DFID funded Disaster Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) are met. This entails working closely and actively with the implementing partners, which include the Government at Zonal, Regional and National levels and other Government departments. Key components of the role are trouble shooting and problem solving, ensure high quality and timely deliverables, monitoring, reporting, communications and provision of technical assistance, risk and security analysis and advice action appropriately.

Role context

The role sits in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, with frequent travel to the field Gambella where the project is being implemented. The role is located in the Africa Division of the International department. The role is line managed by the Program Manager and works closely with other projects of the country program.

Key outcomes

• Project resources and activities delivered within budget and time-frame and projects delivered to the highest standards in line with the country, divisional and organisational strategy through effective support to the programme team.


• Partners’ goals and objectives successfully supported through expediting implementation strategies and plans, capacity building, actively troubleshooting and problem solving, best practices, guidance, reviews, problem solving and good working relationships.


• Project impact monitored and evaluated and project learning shared with key stakeholders through accurate, effective and timely reporting as per donor schedule.


• All receipts, reports and other documentation from Partners accurately recorded and filed both manually and electronically.

• Effective grant management, which includes processes and procedures of services and inputs, reporting and communication.


• Good linkages between partner work and advocacy, communications and fundraising roles
  promoted through effective networking with other parts of Christian Aid.

Effective and efficient administrative systems and procedures, including support in collating and compiling financial reports, in accordance with Christian Aid’s framework, implemented within the office to support staff. (May not apply to role, depends on location).Role requirements

Relationships

External:
Liaising with external stakeholders, including the wider Start Network, other DEPP projects, the Harvard External Evaluation team, Government at all levels, close liaison with the NMA (National Meteorology Agency) and any other players as need arises or required.

Internal:

Liaising with the CA Ethiopia team colleagues as well as technical CA Advisors from other CA country programmes and the CA headquarters.

Decision making:

Works closely with SHPO, country finance and M and E and other teams, regional, HQ and advisory teams. and, Provides quality systems support to the project.  Identifies where procedures are not followed or where additional support is required and takes appropriate action to rectify the situation.

Analytical skills:Problems or issues need detailed information gathering, investigation and analysis including assessment of benefits and risks of different courses of action.

 Initiative and judgment needs to be applied regularly in the course of day-to-day work. Expected to make direct contribution to improved performance, whether through own area of work or participation in cross-disciplinary projects.

Developing self and others:

May have direct responsibility for performance management and developing plans to improve the performance of partner staff, volunteers or others; may have project management responsibility for directing work of others and taking responsibility for ensuring that work quality and professional standards are maintained. Ability to use M&E systems and have good project cycle management skills.