Field Project Officer (Food Security, Livelihoods, and Natural Resource Management) Full Time NEW

Job Summary

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), in partnership with the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), is implementing a project to enhance socio-economic resilience for vulnerable communities in the Shebelle Zone. The initiative addresses critical needs in livelihoods, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Health, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and capacity building. The project adopts an integrated approach to improve agricultural productivity, provide sustainable livelihood opportunities, ensure access to safe water, strengthen community DRR mechanisms, and promote peacebuilding.

The Field Project Officer will oversee the implementation of Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) activities, ensuring alignment with donor requirements, ERCS guidelines, and community needs. This role involves coordinating field teams, managing activity plans, and fostering community ownership to support early recovery and durable solutions for drought-affected populations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Implementation & Coordination:

– Oversee FSL activities (agriculture, livestock, natural resource/range management, Income-Generating Activities (IGAs)) across field locations.

– Conduct livelihood needs assessments, technical feasibility studies, and beneficiary targeting through surveys, focus group discussions, and site visits.

– Organize capacity-building trainings, and awareness sessions on livelihood improvement and Natural Resource management

– Mobilize and mentor community groups (cooperatives, Self-Help Groups) to enhance livelihood resilience through climate-smart agriculture and income-generating activities.

– Provide technical support and follow up on agricultural extension services for the target community members.

– Supervise distribution of livelihood support (crop seeds, livestock etc ) and hygiene kits, water treatment supplies, and materials and ensuring adherence to targeting criteria.

– Develop and manage activity work plans to meet project targets and deadlines.

– Ensure alignment with best practices, vulnerability criteria, and community needs.

– Coordinate with logistics for phased procurement of program supplies.

2. Community Engagement & Capacity Building:

– Lead beneficiary selection, registration, and training on financial literacy, bookkeeping, and savings practices.

– Conduct market assessments to identify profitable skills and livelihood opportunities.

– Integrate gender sensitivity, protection mainstreaming, and participatory approaches into all activities.

3. Monitoring, Reporting, & Compliance:

– Submit monthly progress updates, success stories, and donor reports in compliance with ERCS and NLRC requirements.

– Coordinate post-distribution monitoring with the MEAL team.

– Identify emerging challenges and recommend actionable solutions.

– Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and interagency forums to advocate for community needs.

– Ensure ERCS activities complement efforts of other stakeholders.

Reports to: Zonal Project Coordinator

Qualifications

Education:

• – Bachelor’s degree/ Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Animal/Crop Science, Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, Agricultural engineering or related fields.

Experience & Skills:

– Minimum 5 years of experience managing livelihoods, agriculture, or natural resource projects in humanitarian/development contexts.

– Proven ability in project planning, implementation, and report writing.

– Experience in community participation, accountability systems, and staff capacity building.

– Strong communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills.

– Familiarity with gender mainstreaming, social protection, and interpectoral integration of interventions.

Desirable:

– Fluency in English and the local language(s) of the operational area.

– Experience in disaster risk reduction or early recovery programming.