Economic Strengthening Specialist (ES Specialist)

Job Description

Organization: Dugda Children’s and Family Charitable Organization (DCFCO)

Position: Economic Strengthening Specialist (ES Specialist)

Number Required: 1

Duty Station: Meki, with frequent travel to supported woredas and SNUs

Employment Type: Full-time

Contract Duration: 1 year, subject to budget availability and performance

Salary: Negotiable, based on organizational salary scale and project budget

Gender: Both male and female candidates are invited; women are highly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Background

Dugda Children’s and Family Charitable Organization (DCFCO), in partnership with US-DOS/ISHDO, is implementing the Sustaining Integrated Community HIV Response in Oromia (SICHRO) project under PEPFAR.

The project operates in Meki, Batu, Dodola, Robe, Goba, Ginir, Agarfa, Goro, and Dello Mana towns of Oromia.

Its main objective is to strengthen local HIV epidemic control by ensuring:

• 95% of individuals living with HIV know their status.
• 95% of people living with HIV initiate antiretroviral therapy.
• 95% of clients on antiretroviral therapy achieve viral load suppression.

Job Summary

The Economic Strengthening (ES) Specialist will provide technical leadership and hands-on support to design, implement, monitor, and strengthen Economic Strengthening interventions, including Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), livelihoods, cash and asset transfers, and Income Generating Activities (IGA).

The Specialist will build the capacity of ES Animators, SSWs, CEFs, and Case Workers; strengthen linkages with government, financial institutions, and market actors; and integrate economic strengthening with OVC, CLHIV, PBFW, and EID services to improve household economic resilience and support treatment continuity.

Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Leadership and Capacity Building

1. Provide technical assistance, training, coaching, and mentorship to SR staff, ES Animators, SSWs, CEFs, CRPs, and Case Workers.
2. Support the contextualization and implementation of ES strategies, guidelines, manuals, and job aids.
3. Assess capacity gaps and implement targeted capacity-building and mentoring plans.
4. Support ES transition, sustainability, and organizational capacity development.

B. Program Implementation

1. Support implementation and scale-up of VSLA, livelihoods, IGA, cash and asset transfers, and business development interventions.
2. Support household economic assessments and appropriate ES package selection, prioritizing vulnerable households.
3. Ensure ES interventions are integrated into services for CALHIV, HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women, and HIV-exposed infants and their mothers.
4. Promote financial literacy, savings, business skills, asset building, and sustainable income generation.
5. Support market assessments, enterprise identification, and linkages to available economic and nutrition support services.

C. Linkages and Partnerships

1. Establish and maintain linkages with health facilities, government social protection and job creation programs, microfinance institutions, banks, private-sector and market actors, and community organizations.
2. Facilitate access to loans, financial services, markets, and other economic opportunities.
3. Engage relevant government and community structures and participate in coordination, review, transition, and sustainability meetings.

D. Monitoring, Data, and Reporting

1. Ensure accurate documentation and reporting of ES activities, including VSLA, cash and asset transfers.
2. Track ES indicators, maintain quality registers and supporting documents, and support milestone and third-party verification.
3. Support data reporting through UDS/CommCare, DHIS2, and other project systems.
4. Participate in RDQA, supportive supervision, and CQI activities and follow up corrective actions.
5. Conduct field supervision and document results, success stories, and lessons learned.
6. Prepare timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly ES reports.

E. Coordination, Compliance, and Safeguarding

1. Coordinate with the M&E Specialist, other ES Specialists, and the ISHDO project team to harmonize approaches and share learning across SNUs.
2. Ensure compliance with donor requirements, PSEA, child safeguarding, and organizational policies.
3. Support identification and mitigation of program and operational risks, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
4. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Educational Qualifications

• MA/BA in Economics, Business Management and Administration, or a related field.

Work Experience

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in economic strengthening, livelihoods, or related programs targeting vulnerable populations.
• At least 2 years of experience in OVC or USG-supported ES programs in an NGO setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of VSLA, livelihoods, cash and asset transfers, market-based approaches, and household financial education.
• Experience working with government, financial institutions, private sector, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Experience with milestone-based/fixed-amount awards and data verification is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Proficiency in Afaan Oromo, Amharic, and English is mandatory.
• Strong technical, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Good documentation and knowledge management skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the local language of the SR area.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with CommCare, DHIS2, or similar digital systems is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel regularly to program sites and SNUs.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit:

• Updated CV
• Application letter
• Copies of relevant credentials

Email: dugdafin@gmail.com

CC:

• mohammedasie2@gmail.com
• tamiru.a@dcfco.org

Application Deadline: Within 10 consecutive days from November 5, 2026.

Contact Information:

• Head Office: Meki Town, Bole Kebele, behind the Telecommunication Office.
• Telephone: 0221180973 / 0912773876

Additional Note: Only applicants who fulfill the minimum requirements will be shortlisted and contacted for further evaluation. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility.