Duration: 1 year

Role Purpose: National Volunteer – Livelihood Officer supports the effective implementation of livelihood-related activities under the RECAP project. The role focuses on strengthening household and community resilience through sustainable livelihood diversification, income-generating activities, market linkages, and skills development, while ensuring alignment with climate adaptation and peacebuilding objectives.

1.Introduction to VSO

VSO is the world’s leading international non-governmental organization that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone.

Our work centers on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty or with disability and illness. Those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality, or social status. Those who are at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict. But they are not passive beneficiaries of aid; they are the “primary actors” at the heart of our efforts. From their perspective, we define the issues, opportunities, and solutions that drive sustainable, local-led change. These individuals are the key agents of their own transformation.

2.Our Approach

Our Volunteering for Development (VfD) method supports the most vulnerable and marginalized to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change to create a fair world for everyone. Rooted in addressing the fundamental causes of – marginalization and vulnerability, our three core approaches – social inclusion and gender, social accountability, and resilience – guide our work in inclusive education, health, and resilient livelihoods.

Our Volunteering for Development method recognizes the importance of relationships in forging a shared understanding and commitment and building collective action to lasting change. With most of our volunteers being national, we build blended teams of community, national, and international volunteers, uniting diverse perspectives, and experiences to generate insight, innovation, and action that tackles the complex issues faced by our communities. This kindles the potential for active citizenship worldwide, encouraging people to step forward and lead the change that fosters a fair world for all.

3.contextual background of the Project

Resilient Borders: Advancing Climate Adaptation, Peace, Livelihoods, and Preparedness in Cross-Border Communities of Ethiopia and Kenya (RECAP) Project

RECAP is a three-year initiative targeting 21 locations across four districts, Miyo and Moyale in Ethiopia and Sololo and Moyale in Kenya. The RECAP project addresses interconnected challenges of climate change, conflict, fragile livelihoods, and disaster risks affecting cross-border communities of Ethiopia and Kenya. Moyale is a highly dynamic border area where competition over natural resources, climate shocks, and mobility intersect with long-standing conflict dynamics. Strengthening peacebuilding and disaster risk reduction (DRR) capacities at community level is critical for building sustainable resilience.

Role description

National Volunteer – Livelihood Officer supports the effective implementation of livelihood-related activities under the RECAP project. The role focuses on strengthening household and community resilience through sustainable livelihood diversification, income-generating activities, market linkages, and skills development, while ensuring alignment with climate adaptation and peacebuilding objectives. The role includes:

The role includes:

Livelihoods Program Implementation

• Support the implementation of project livelihood activities, including climate-smart agriculture, livestock-based livelihoods, income-generating activities (IGAs), and vocational or skills development initiatives.
• Assist in mobilizing and supporting community groups, youth and women groups engaged in livelihood interventions.
• Support the distribution and appropriate use of livelihood inputs, starter kits, or productive assets in line with project guidelines.
• Promote environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient livelihood practices at community level.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

• Facilitate community sensitization and awareness sessions on sustainable livelihoods, financial literacy, savings and loan schemes, and market access.
• Support training and coaching of beneficiaries on business skills, value chain development, and basic enterprise management.
• Encourage inclusive participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups in livelihood activities.

Integration of Peace and Conflict Sensitivity

• Support livelihood activities that contribute to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in cross-border and conflict-prone areas.
• Apply conflict-sensitive and do-no-harm approaches in all livelihood interventions.
• Support joint or shared livelihood initiatives that promote cooperation across communities and borders where feasible.
• Assist in collecting, verifying, and submitting livelihood-related data in line with MEAL requirements.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and beneficiary feedback related to livelihood interventions.

Coordination and Partnerships

• Coordinate with local partners, community leaders, extension services, and government offices relevant to livelihoods, agriculture, and livestock.
• Support cross-sector coordination with climate adaptation, DRR, and peacebuilding teams to ensure integrated programming.
• Participate in coordination meetings, field visits, and joint assessments as required.

Compliance, Safeguarding, and Volunteer Conduct

• Adhere to organizational policies, safeguarding standards, and volunteer codes of conduct.
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical engagement with communities.
• Support identification and reporting of risks related to livelihoods, climate shocks, conflict dynamics, or operational challenges.

Personal consideration

The National Volunteer – Livelihood Project Officer should possess and demonstrate the combined skills sets and experience detailed below:

Qualification

A formal qualification or equivalent experience in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Development Studies, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.

Experience

• Relevant internship, or volunteer experience supporting livelihood, agriculture, or community development initiatives.
• Experience working with pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, or rural communities is an asset.
• Previous exposure to climate resilience, food security, or market-based approaches is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong community mobilization and facilitation skills.
• Basic understanding of sustainable livelihoods and income-generating activities.
• Ability to collect field data and prepare simple reports.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and ability to work in remote and cross-border settings.
• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel, email).

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English required.
• Skill and Knowledge of Afan Oromo local languages spoken and custom of community in project areas is highly desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Strong motivation to contribute to community resilience and development.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment.
• Expected Learning Outcomes for the Volunteer
• Practical experience in livelihoods programming within fragile and cross-border contexts.
• Enhanced skills in community engagement, monitoring, and reporting.
• Exposure to integrated approaches linking climate adaptation, peacebuilding, and livelihoods.

Equal Opportunities

VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

VSO reserves the right to close this job early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

VSO is committed to a fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment. VSO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.

Additional Information

Allowance and accommodation

All volunteers have an allowance paid in local currency. The allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country but will not be enough to send money home.