Project Coordinator RSI Project Full Time

Duration: 1 year

Role Purpose: The Project Coordinator will coordinate the project implementation with high-quality programming standards to achieve project objectives in alignment with VSO’s volunteering for development (VfD) approach. This role will coordinate with private sector actors (e.g., recyclers, SMEs), training institutions, NGOs, and community-based structures (Idirs) on Solid Waste Management (SWM), circular economy, livelihoods, or environmental projects, to green jobs, project management, budget planning, and end-to-end project oversight.

1.Introduction to VSO

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

Our work centres 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 marginalised to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change to create a fair world for everyone. Rooted in addressing the fundamental causes of – marginalisation 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 recognises 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.Background of the Project

The RSI (Recycle Solutions Initiative) project is a pioneering model in East Africa, demonstrating that waste can be a driver for economic development, job creation, and environmental restoration when managed through innovative, inclusive, and sustainable practices.

The RSI (Recycle Solutions Initiative) Waste Management project is a targeted intervention designed to address the escalating solid waste crisis in urban Ethiopia, with a primary focus on Addis Ababa and Adama. It operates at the intersection of environmental sustainability, public health, and social inclusion.

Core Problem Statement:
Rapid urbanization and industrial growth in Ethiopia have led to a significant increase in waste generation, overwhelming the existing municipal management capacity. Key challenges include:

• Inadequate Infrastructure: Insufficient collection systems and lack of modern recycling facilities.
• Environmental Degradation: Proliferation of illegal dumping sites, pollution of waterways (notably the Akaki River), and emission of greenhouse gases from decomposing organic waste.
• Health Hazards: Proximity of waste to residential areas creates breeding grounds for disease vectors and exposes communities, particularly vulnerable groups, to toxic substances.
• Underutilized Resource: Most of the waste, which holds economic value (like plastics, metals, and organics), is treated as refuse rather than a resource for the circular economy.

Role description

The role of Project Coordinator will be coordinated a targeted intervention designed to address the escalating solid waste crisis in urban Ethiopia, with a primary focus on Addis Ababa and Adama. It operates at the intersection of environmental sustainability, public health, and social inclusion.

The role includes:

Project Planning & Coordination

• Support the development of detailed project plans, timelines, resource allocation, and budgets in line with donor and organizational requirements on Solid Waste Management (SWM), circular economy, livelihoods, or environmental projects.
• Develop project implementation plan from inception to closure and transition phase in collaboration with project partners and stakeholders. Revisit and update the plan in response to the changing context.
• Manage a day-to-day implementation of the project to deliver on scope, on budget and within specified timeframe including risks and incident management.
• Coordinate technical delivery and project quality in alignment with VSO’s unique Volunteering for Development approach that places primary actors at the centre of the development, ensuring their voice, participation, and empowerment in planning, implementation, monitoring evaluation learnings and decision-making process.
• Ensure compliance with VSO programme implementation standards, policies and procedures and donor requirements.
• Translate strategic and technical guidance from the SWM Expert or Program Manager into concrete operational actions at the sub-city and community level.
• Monitor progress against timelines, identify risks or delays, and implement corrective actions in a timely manner.
• Oversee the promotion of circular economy principles, including waste avoidance, segregation at source (combustibles, recyclables, organics), and recovery operations.
• Support the classification and proper documentation of waste streams in line with Ethiopian EPA guidelines and the Hazardous Waste Management Proclamation.
• Ensure project activities comply with relevant Ethiopian regulations (e.g., Solid Waste Management Proclamation, pollution control regulations) and health & safety standards
• Maintain accurate project documentation, databases, and records for regulatory compliance and auditing purposes.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to track activity quality and document lessons learned.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality narrative and periodic progress reports for donors, government bodies, and internal stakeholders.
• Support data collection for project indicators, baselines, evaluations, and ensure proper documentation (photos, attendance sheets, monitoring tools).

Technical Support & Compliance

Monitoring, Reporting, & Administration

Stakeholder engagement

• identify the project partners, including the brand, recycling partners for the project and coordinate the engagement of stakeholders, and ensure the effective implementation of the project.

Personal consideration

The project coordinator should possess and demonstrate the combined skills sets and experience detailed below:

Qualifications:

• A formal qualification or equivalent experience in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Project Management, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field or equivalent knowledge and experience.

Experience and Skills

Experience:

• Relevant experience in project coordination and field base project implementation
• Proven experience in Solid Waste Management (SWM), circular economy, livelihoods, or environmental projects in Ethiopia is essential.
• Experience coordinating multiple partners and stakeholders, including government entities, is required.
• Demonstrated familiarity with green jobs, project management, budget planning, and end-to-end project oversight.
• In-depth knowledge of Ethiopia’s waste management ecosystem, encompassing its systems, stakeholders, operational frameworks, and overall structural landscape.
• Proficient skills in policy & advocacy, community-led development, right-based approach with demonstratable participatory practices and sound knowledge in approach to addressing barriers through social inclusion & gender, resilience, and accountability.
• Proficient skills in developing partnership, networking, and collaboration with multi-stakeholders in the subject matter areas both at the national and local levels.
• Knowledge of Global Volunteer Standards with practical experience of working through volunteering will be an advantage.

Technical Skills:

• Solid understanding of waste management principles (segregation, recycling, composting) and the circular economy.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s environmental regulatory framework, including the recent single-use plastic ban and solid waste proclamations.
• Strong report writing and data management skills

Core Competencies:

• Coordination & Leadership: Strong team leadership, people management, and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Afan Oromo are mandatory.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build strong relationships with government bodies, community members, and private sector actors.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English required.
• Skill and Knowledge of Afan Oromo local languages spoken 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.