Senior Livelihood Expert (100%)

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Caritas Switzerland (CACH) has been working in Ethiopia for 50 years. Currently, CACH cooperates with four partners in Ethiopia. CACH has successfully registered as an International Non-Governmental Organization in Ethiopia, enabling it to operate at the project implementation level. CACH's main areas of focus are Climate, Income, Migration, and Humanitarian Aid. CACH’s current working areas are in Oromia, SNNPR, and Tigray, where it supports and implements approximately ten projects.

Summary of Duties

The Senior Livelihood Expert will lead initiatives aimed at enhancing the economic resilience of communities impacted by crises. This role focuses on developing and implementing livelihood programs that increase household income, diversify income sources, and promote sustainable practices. The expert will work closely with community members to build their skills and access resources, fostering partnerships with local organizations and businesses. By establishing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, the Senior Livelihood Expert will ensure the impact and sustainability of programs, ultimately contributing to the long-term well-being and self-sufficiency of vulnerable populations

Expected key results

• A comprehensive household resilience package is developed and successfully implemented, leading to increased income diversification and improved nutrition.
• Development initiatives tailored to specific community needs and aligned with ecosystem requirements are implemented.
• Innovations for income diversification, based on new agricultural technologies and knowledge, are identified and piloted effectively.
• Targeted households experience significant improvements in income levels through successful livelihood programs.
• Diverse income-generating activities are implemented, reducing household dependence on a single source of income.
• Increased skills among community members lead to better employment opportunities and greater self-sufficiency.
• Strong collaborations with local organizations, businesses, and government entities are established to support and sustain livelihood initiatives.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a livelihood and value chain expert/officer with focus on vegetables; poultry (chicken/eggs); fruits/nuts, coffee & honey.
• At field level responsible to coordinate and technically lead all components linked to the HH Resilience Package /agriculture and livelihood improvements. 
• Implement and showcase all modules trained under the HH resilience package (VSLA; vegetables; poultry (chicken and eggs); beekeeping; etc.) to gain first-hand experience in order coach as well as to become a role model for project staffs (CDFs), FTC staffs and community-based facilitators
• Train and accompany/coach and technically backstop other project staffs (CDFs) and system actors (PTC staffs) in implementing and scaling the HH resilience package at community level via community-based VSLA facilitators
• Lead and coordinate the scaling VSLA approach and technical modules (vegetables; poultry; beekeeping; etc.) under the HH resilience package
• Technical lead: Agroforestry, Agroecology & Vegetables 
• Contribute to the development of additional training packages contributing to HH resilience (i.e. vermi-compost; etc.) and respecting the principles of asset-based community development and MSD approaches 
• Actively contribute with your learnings to improving CACH’s asset-based community approach (good practice documentation; training material improvement; etc.)
• Responsible for the for the field level monitoring of VSLA progress/performance; HH level income increase; improved HH resilience and nutrition (with technical support of external consultant; DHoP & MEAL & Senior Project Manager)
• Responsible for the sourcing of key inputs (supply chain) and establishment of sustainable market linkages between value chain/market actors, producers and consumers (under guidance and with the technical support of external consultant & Senior Project Manager)
• Responsible for the field level implementation of business models in support of HH resilience (under guidance and with the technical support of external consultant & Senior Project Manager).

Prepare and keep the Database of the beneficiaries up to date. 

• Inform the beneficiaries of the registration procedure.
• Provide input and up-date beneficiary data.
• Prepare lists and distribution cards.

Implement and follow up the activities.

• Implement the planned Livelihood activities.
• Determine and update regularly the material needs for the activities.
• Calculate the necessary quantities of materials and equipment’s and prepare the orders. 
• Contribute to the training of the project beneficiaries. 
• Set and organize and monitoring systems. 
• Ensure regularity and punctuality of monitoring, supervision, and reporting.
• Intervene in case of dispute.
• Write Daily update, weekly and monthly and quarterly reports; and provide an input for donor reports. 
• Ensure the logistics and finance needs are met.
• Write an activity, monthly minute and other necessary reports.
• Make recommendations for improving the project according to activity results.
• Propose new directions for future activities.
• Propose new directions for future activities.

Sustain internal and external coordination

• Represent Caritas at all relevant technical external task forces, working groups, seminars or other meetings/forums which have been identified and approved by the Head and use these meetings to negotiate strategic, and advocacy positions.
• Explain the project’s activities and objectives to partners and the community;
• Participate in internal and external coordination meetings;
• Act as a link between the Organization and the beneficiaries and the organization and partners.
• Handle other responsibilities and tasks apart from the aforementioned ones as per the order of the line managers.

Follow the community Participation on Activity and Government staffs during in any interventions of the project: 

• Integrate and coordinate the work of the community and local partners;
• Supervise the team members.
• Provide the team with technical support.
• Handle other responsibilities and tasks apart from the aforementioned ones as per the order of the line managers.

Other and Special tasks

• Staying up to date with internal and donor as well as government standards and tools.
• Work collaboratively with all departments and units.
• Other duties as assigned to her/him in the scope of his assignment.

The ideal candidate represents the majority of the below mentioned areas:

• BA/MA’s degree in related field (Agriculture; Agroforestry; Horticulture; Beekeeping; Poultry; Coffee; business & entrepreneurship) 
• General Senior Expert Profile
• Specific expertise: Livelihood improvements & income; agroforestry; agroecology; sustainable agriculture 
• Experience in working with communities, mentorship and coaching approaches
• Proven expertise in delivering effective training sessions.
• Experience with VSLAs is advantageous
• Experience in MSD approach; market linkage and supply chain set-up are an advantage
• Have an ambition to become an asset-based community development and MSD expert who can guide other CACH project staffs in implementing similar approaches in other projects and other geographic areas. 
• Ability and readiness to drive a motorcycle (driving licence required)
• Oromiffa speaking and at good command of English and Amharic (oral and written) 

How To Apply

Applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) as PDF including at least three work references. Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. 

Application in any other format (word, JPG etc) will be automatically rejected.  At this stage no other documents are required to be submitted.

Applicants Must Fill out the information and send the PDF cover letter and CV through the link: (https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/8r4OMjf6)

Deadline for application is September 25, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are highly encouraged.