Field Officer Full Time

EXPERTISE FRANCE                                                                                                                                                                                       

Expertise France (EF) is a French public agency established to implement international technical assistance projects. EF operates in various sectors including public health, governance, safety and security reform, and humanitarian response. EF’s work focuses on fostering international cooperation through large-scale, multi- stakeholder projects, in development as well as in crisis and post-crisis settings. Created in 2015 under the supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy and Finance, with a strong inter- ministerial vocation. Carrying out large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects, EF can ensure the cooperation between individuals, teams and institutions with very different status, cultures and specialties.

Background and Presentation of the Project 

The conflict in northern Ethiopia continues to impose severe and lasting impacts on the region, exacerbating humanitarian needs and affecting vulnerable populations, particularly in Afar and Tigray regions. Despite the November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, ongoing violence has intensified the demand for protection and socio-economic support for those affected.

Protection and Resilience in Northern Ethiopia Project

In response, Expertise France has initiated a comprehensive program to support the protection and resilience needs of conflict-affected communities. This program focuses on improving access to essential protection services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and other vulnerable groups, including supporting safe houses and promoting sustainable service delivery through policy dialogue. Furthermore, it seeks to foster long-term recovery by integrating livelihood initiatives that support economic self-sufficiency and contribute to stabilization in the region.

Complementing existing Expertise France projects, this initiative aims to enhance resilience and recovery for these communities by addressing both urgent humanitarian needs and the foundations for sustainable recovery. The program’s objectives include (OS1) strengthening access to quality protection services that meet health, safety, and justice needs, as well as (OS2) involving GBV survivors and other vulnerable groups in livelihood activities that build resilience and advance recovery.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Two Field Officers will be recruited for this project, one based in Abala and the other in Mekelle. Both officers will report to EF Protection and Resilience Project Manager, and EF Protection Officer based in Addis Ababa. The primary focus of these roles is to support the implementation of protection services in the field, monitor activities, and ensure that they meet quality standards. The Field Officers will have a critical role in maintaining a strong field presence, conducting regular monitoring visits, supporting staff training, and ensuring effective communication among project and local partners. They will carry out the following activities:

Field-based monitoring and implementation of activities

• Monitor and follow up on project activities in the field to ensure they are being implemented according to plan and meet the needs of GBV survivors and other vulnerable groups.
• Provide field-level support for the delivery of protection services, including overseeing basic activities in Safe Houses and One-Stop Centers (OSCs).
• Assist in integrating protection services with livelihood and recovery activities, ensuring that GBV survivors and vulnerable groups have opportunities to engage in resilience-building efforts.
• Promote the participation of vulnerable individuals in activities that contribute to long-term recovery and economic self-sufficiency.
• Provide logistical and operational support for Safe Houses in the field, ensuring they are functional and providing the necessary services to GBV survivors.
• Assist in coordinating the activities of local partners and other service providers involved in the protection and GBV response.

Reporting and Budget Management

• Regularly report on field activities, providing updates on the status of activities, challenges encountered, and successes achieved.
• Support the Project Manager with budget planning when needed, manage financial resources at field level in coordination with the Admin/Fin manager and Assistant.
• Document observations from field visits and ensure that accurate and timely information is shared with the Project Manager in Addis Ababa.
• Contribute to the preparation of field reports and data collection, assisting with the monitoring and evaluation of protection activities.
• Regularly visit different project locations to verify the quality and accuracy of information shared by project partners and staff.

Field Training and Capacity Support

• Support the Protection Officer in delivering basic protection training for field staff, including OSC staff, Safe House teams, project partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that staff in the field have the necessary tools and knowledge to provide quality services to GBV survivors and other vulnerable populations.
• Ensure Safe House staff receive ongoing support and guidance in managing the needs of survivors in a safe, supportive environment.
• Provide hands-on assistance in addressing challenges faced by staff in the implementation of protection and reintegration activities.

Coordination with Local Stakeholders and Partners

• Facilitate communication between the project and local authorities, community organizations, and other stakeholders, ensuring coordination and collaboration on protection issues.
• Participate in local-level meetings with partners and stakeholders to discuss protection needs and ensure the project is aligned with local priorities and strategies.
• Ensure that the voices and concerns of local communities are effectively communicated to the project team in Addis Ababa.

Duty station: Mekelle ( Tigray), Abala (Afar), Ethiopia Project Location: Abala (Afar region), Mekelle (Tigray region) Duration of assignment: 11 months (full time)

Contract type: fixed employment contract

Starting date: 01/01/2025
LOCATION: The duty station of these positions is Mekelle (Tigray) and Abala (Afar). The field officers should be able to join the EF team in Addis Abeba when requested.