Economic Recovery and Development Officer

About the role

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is hiring an Economic Recovery and Development Officer in Gambella, Ethiopia, to support its BRIDGE project, funded by Irish Aid. The project aims to improve food security and the resilience of vulnerable populations against shocks and stress in East Hararghe and Gambella. The officer plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and reports on economic recovery, income generation, enterprise development, employment, market systems and financial inclusion interventions, supporting women, youth, displaced persons, refugees, returnees, host communities, smallholder farmers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, SMEs and cooperatives.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Project Manager in planning and implementing economic recovery interventions in line with approved plans, budgets and donor requirements, and develop activity plans and schedules.
• Carry out regular field visits to monitor implementation, identify challenges and give technical support, and select beneficiaries transparently and according to approved criteria.
• Lead or support climate-aware, gender-transformative economic opportunity and market assessments, including value-chain analysis and identification of sectors with potential for women's and youth employment and entrepreneurship.
• Facilitate gender-responsive life skills, entrepreneurship, business and employability training, and help women and youth develop business and employment plans.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of micro, small and medium enterprises, including business plans, business development services and follow-up coaching and mentoring.
• Promote Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), linkages to formal financial institutions, cooperative strengthening, market linkages and private-sector engagement.
• Ensure interventions are market-oriented, inclusive, climate-resilient, gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive and sustainable, and contribute to improved household income and economic security.