Liaison Officer

Job Description

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and all U.S. territories. FHI 360’s Crisis Response team has been responding to the humanitarian emergency in Northern Ethiopia through an integrated health, nutrition, WASH, and Protection project to meet the critical needs of the conflict-affected population. FHI 360 aims to expand its reach to the Somali Region in Eastern Ethiopia to meet the immediate needs of the drought-affected population and will be implementing integrated humanitarian programming with the Ethiopia-based national organization, Pastoralist Concern (PC).

POSITION OVERVIEW

FHI 360 is seeking a Liaison Officer to work directly with and strengthen relationships with federal, regional, and zonal government partners. Additionally, the Liaison Officer will coordinate and work directly with our local partner, Pastoralist Concern (PC). The position will be based in Jijiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia.

The Liaison Officer will coordinate all of the partnership and government interactions for the Integrated Services for Humanitarian Implementation – Ethiopia III (ISHI-E III) project. The Liaison Officer will be in charge of working with federal, regional, and zonal government offices – such as Authority for Civil Societies Organizations (ACSO), Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC, Regional Technical Bureaus (health, water, women/children’s affairs), BOFED/ZOFED, and others – to develop and approve MOUs and other project agreements. As such, the Liaison Officer will closely collaborate with the National and Subnational government offices, USAID supported implementing partners, Non-USAID implementing partners through active participation in various Technical Working Groups and Humanitarian Clusters so that ISHI-E III project activities are in line with government and donor priorities. The Liaison Officer will also coordinate and lead report submissions to government partners and the donor. The role is based in Jijiga, but may require travelling to the project’s implementation regions, including Amhara, Tigray, and Somali. The Liaison Officer will report to the Partnerships & Liaison Coordinator.

Based in Jijiga, this duty station has been designated as high risk and poses a heightened risk or direct threat to personal safety. Applicants should research this location and the associated risks before submitting an application.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Identify, assess, map, and liaise with ISHI-E III government counterparts including ACSO and EDRMC.

Create a database that catalogues all government partners, outstanding issues, and deliverables.

Develop and carry out capacity and risk assessments for government partners.

Supporting positive relations with government counterparts through regular coordination and communication.

Developing and maintain relationships with government offices to ensure ongoing support for campaigns and initiatives.

Coordinating with internal departments to ensure that donor and government needs are met effectively.

Work in collaboration with FHI 360 finance and program staff to develop, streamline, manage, and submit financial reports as required in government MOUs.

Provide support to the global team and donors visiting the county for effective and efficient coordination of information sharing and messaging.

Create monitoring tools and follow up on the ISHI-E III progress toward goals and deliverables stipulated in MOUs.

Conduct and oversee regular monitoring visits with government offices to ensure ISHI-E III is completing the agreed project activities as per the plan and as per the set standard.

Maintain comprehensive electronic files for ISHI-E III, including government/donor reports, indicator tracking tables, donor/government communications, MOUs and MOU amendments.

Work with the ISHI-E III team to review/support government MOUs, proposals, and reports.

Represent ISHI-E III at relevant coordination and cluster meetings. Receive / provide feedback from those meetings to ISHI-E III senior management teams.

Represent the ISHI-E III team at relevant National and Sub National Technical Working Groups (TWGs).

Represent ISHI-E III at relevant national and sub-national government offices and meetings.

Skills and Qualifications
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Management, or Social Sciences**

5 years of work experience, out of which 2 years were in a management position/role, working with national and subnational government and non-government humanitarian programs and offices.

Very good understanding of national and subnational government and humanitarian response structures programs

Strong knowledge of humanitarian cluster structure and experience coordinating with UN and OCHA actors.

Strong knowledge in partner relationship management

Good knowledge and practical experience on project management

Solid experience in facilitating reporting, MOU development, proposal review, agreement development, and monitoring.

Experience in designing and implementing organizational capacity building programs.

Ability to deal with professionals from programs, operations, and finance backgrounds.

How to apply
Interested candidates should submit their CV, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references on the FHI 360 portal. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Application Deadline:

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Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may evolve and change over time based on organizational needs and programmatic priorities.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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