Technical Assistant/office Full Time NEW

Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension

Role Purpose: The Project Technical Assistant/officer provides essential technical, coordination, and operational support to ensure effective implementation of project activities, adherence to quality standards, and timely achievement of project outcomes. She/he supports the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of technical activities under the RECAP project. The role bridges technical teams, field staff, partners, and communities, ensuring that project interventions are well-coordinated, evidence-based, and aligned with approved workplans and donor requirements

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.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

Technical Assistant/officer provides

Task Responsibilities

Technical Support and Implementation

• Support the implementation of project activities related to climate adaptation, peacebuilding, livelihoods development, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) with the collaboration of technical coordinator.
• Assist technical specialists in preparing activity designs, implementation guidelines, tools, and training materials with the collaboration of technical coordinator.
• Provide on-the-ground technical support during community-level interventions, trainings, dialogues, and cross-border engagements with the collaboration of technical coordinator.
• Support the integration of conflict sensitivity, gender equality, youth inclusion, and climate-smart approaches across all project activities with the collaboration of technical coordinator.

Coordination and Field Support

• Coordinate with field teams, local partners, community structures, and government stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of activities with the collaboration of technical coordinator.
• Support cross-border coordination meetings, joint planning sessions, and learning exchanges between Ethiopian and Kenyan stakeholders with the collaboration of technical coordinator.
• Assist in organizing workshops, trainings, community dialogues, and stakeholder meetings, including logistics and documentation.
• Assist in data collection, verification, and basic analysis, ensuring data quality and timely submission.
• Contribute to periodic technical reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual) by compiling field data and activity summaries with the collaboration and communication of technical coordinator.
• Maintain organized records of technical documents, training reports, attendance sheets, lessons learned, best practices and activity outputs.
• Support the preparation of case studies, briefs, and knowledge products related to resilience, peace, and cross-border cooperation.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support engagement project team with local NGOs, CBOs, community leaders, and government institutions at local and cross-border levels.
• Assist in strengthening partnerships and coordination platforms relevant to climate resilience, peacebuilding, and livelihoods.
• Ensure and support project activities comply with organizational policies, donor requirements, and safeguarding standards.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, project management, Agriculture, Economics, or a related field with
• significant practical experience in INGO sector on project assistant activities in the area of peacebuilding, livelihoods, or DRR projects is an advantage.
• Experience working in cross-border, pastoralist, or fragile and conflict-affected settings preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational and coordination skills
• Basic understanding of project cycle management and results-based approaches.
• Ability to collect, organize, and summarize field data and technical information.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including community engagement.
• Ability to work in multicultural, cross-border environments and with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Teamwork
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

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.
• Practical experience in livelihoods programming within fragile and cross-border contexts.
• Enhanced skills in community engagement, monitoring, and reporting.

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.