The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview:

Overview and purpose of the Job:

The IRC is implementing a Humanitarian, Development, and Peace Triple Nexus project focused on food security and climate resilience in disaster-affected communities in Kersa and Fedis Weredas, East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. This integrated multiyear climate resilience project involves a consortium consisting of Action Against Hunger (Lead), IRC, and DRC, which implement initiatives across four regions of the country, with the IRC specifically responsible for the East Hararghe Zone. The project's goal is to enhance food security and climate resilience in crisis -affected households and communities, aiming to achieve four main outcome areas: (a) improved food and nutrition security; (b) community-based, gender-sensitive disaster risk management and resilience; (c) increased economic status through livelihood opportunities and access to finance; and (d) enhanced social cohesion through participatory peacebuilding. To achieve these outcomes, the IRC will implement comprehensive interventions that include small-scale irrigation, pond development for runoff water harvesting, solar-powered irrigation systems climate-smart agriculture, community disaster risk reduction (DRR) action plan, natural resource management (NRM), livelihood diversification, market system strengthening, peacebuilding activities.

The Senior livelihood Project Officer – Irrigation will lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of irrigation-related activities within agricultural development projects. The role focuses on enhancing smallholder productivity, promoting climate-resilient irrigation systems, and supporting youth and women’s participation in irrigation-based livelihoods.

The key responsibility of the position is identifying, designing, and effectively monitoring small-scale irrigation and water management interventions, including spring development, runoff water harvesting, solarization, and other technical expertise needed to promote year-round agricultural activities, in collaboration with project staff, government experts, development workers, partners, and target communities to:

Enhance food and nutrition security for vulnerable households in targeted areas through irrigation-supported agriculture Enhance community-based, gender-sensitive disaster risk management (DRR), Natural resource management (NRM) and resilienceIncrease income and diversified livelihoods through irrigation, crop intensification, and market linkage of produce, particularly for women and youtHEnhance social cohesion through participatory peacebuilding plans Increase collaborative learning and coordination among HDP actors Increased Collaborative learning and coordination among HDP actor’s humanitarian, development, and peace actors in the realms of HDPN and MEAL.   

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Implementation

Design and oversee the implementation of small- and medium-scale irrigation systems. Promote climate-smart irrigation technologies and water-efficient practices.Conduct comprehensive feasibility assessments and potential analyses on potential water sources, irrigation systems, pond construction and solarization opportunities, market linkage, gender analyses, conflict analyses, stakeholder mapping, and income diversification alternatives to understand the current resilience challenges faced by the communities.Identify the specific barriers, needs, and priorities of the target community to engage in small-scale irrigation, pond development, solarized irrigation, and climate-smart agricultural practices, and to develop strategies to improve adoption.Design, plan, and execute irrigation initiatives for various crops to support agribusiness development and enhance food security among small landholder farmers in all kebeles of Kersa and Fedis Weredas.Mobilize and strengthen small land holder farmers' involvement in irrigation-based agribusiness, emphasizing market-driven and cost-efficient techniques such as spring protection, small-scale irrigation systems, well drilling, and canal maintenance.Contribute to solving the problems of food and Nutrition based on extensive and active development of small scales of irrigation carry out supervision of construction activities related to agricultural irrigation Develop structural designs in ArchiCAD or any other appropriate software for the various construction works and structures within the program area.Supervise the Development, construction and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure in the program area.Participate in the block farm planning and designing in collaboration with the FSL officerParticipate in all program assessments on project implementationTraining of local farmer groups and community-based facilitators on appropriate use of the irrigation systems constructed.Install irrigation equipment, pipe and valves.Promote the integration and complementarity of these interventions with other initiatives by the government and partners in the area to achieve a comprehensive and harmonious approach to resilience-building.Ensure the rehabilitation of the degraded lands through soil management, afforestation measured as measured by rehabilitation index (improved soil health/fertility, vegetation cover, biodiversity indicators, structures built for erosion control)Identify and manage any risks or issues that may affect the progress of irrigation system and taking appropriate corrective actions in collaboration with staff,Ensure the Safe Programing and Peace building activities well enhanced the social cohesion of the target community through participatory peacebuilding plans and active community dialogues.Ensure collaborative learning and coordination among HDP actors at woreda and Zonal level including humanitarian, development, and peace actors.

Finance/Budget Management:

Support the livelihood manager in Preparing the annual budget plan, procurement plan, and monthly expenditure forecasts and share in their due dates. Actively participate in the project   coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders conducted at woreda and zonal levels. Oversee the procurement process for materials essential to implementing irrigation activities

MEAL and Reporting:

Collaborate with the MEAL department to appropriate indicators, data collection methods, and reporting mechanisms. Jointly with the MEAL team, they strongly monitor and track the progress, including the collection and analysis of relevant data and indicator trackingAttend Monthly BVA and PCM as needed and ensure the implementation of the agreed action points on the PCM.Prepare and submit different donors, government and IRC progress reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, and for donors) to the Livelihood manager in a regular and timely manner.

Staff Management and Development:

Supervise, manage, and provide regular technical advice and livelihood officers to ensure the quality and effective implementation, and the achievement of planned results. Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, collaboration, and continuous learning.   

Coordination and Collaboration:

Actively participate and share updates in coordination meetings with consortium members at zonal level. Strongly collaborate with project stakeholders and steering committees at woreda and zonal levelActively participates in formal coordination activities, including clusters on Food Security.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policiesMinimum Qualifications:

Educational Requirements:

BA/BSc or MA/MSc degree in Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation and Water Management with practical experience of Food Security and Livelihood, , 

Preferred experience & skills:

1 years of postgraduate experience and 2 years of work experience for first degree in Agricultural Engineering, irrigation engineering or any other relevant field of studies. knowledge and experience of sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience programs management.Proven track record of effective project management: planning, monitoring, budget oversight particularly in unstable environment.Experience of integrating gender, protection, and diversity into emergency response programs.Strong time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.Strong analytic problem-solving skillsStrong team management skillsAbility to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional national team structure.

Language Skills: 

Fluency in both English and local language is mandatory

 

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.