Head of Ethiopia Office At Rift Valley Institute

SUMMARY

Job Title: Head of Ethiopia Office

Location: The role is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with travel within Ethiopia, and occasional travel to Kenya and other RVI offices.

Employment type: Full time permanent contract.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Ethiopia Office (HEO) leads the development, management and implementation of all projects in Ethiopia, that support the delivery of RVI’s development strategy, including its commitment to original and ethical research, its support for African researchers and voices, and access to public information. The HEO ensures that RVI’s programmes in Ethiopia grow in a way that enhances the quality of the Institute’s work and its influence, through application of sound management practices. The HEO deploys the resources of the Institute in a way that maintains RVI’s reputation for excellence and reliability as a partner in development and ensures the safety and security of staff and assets.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Works closely with the Head of Programmes delivering RVI’s strategy in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa region.
• Interacts regularly with the Executive Director and Heads of Finance and Organisational Development on strategic, financial, human resource and operational matters.
• Coordinates the Peace Research Facility (PRF) project and manages the team members working under the project.
• Collaborates with RVI Finance and Administration team to ensure RVI Ethiopia office’s finances are effectively managed in accordance with RVI’s policies, and the requirements of donors and national statutory laws.
• Is a member of the RVI Management Team and collaborates with other RVI Managers to ensure RVI’s activities in the country are aligned to the organisation’s development strategies.
• Collaborates with the Publications Manager and Communications Team on all publications produced on Ethiopia and other relevant projects and their dissemination.
• Engages and represents RVI externally with the government, donors, partners, and other relevant actors in pursuit of advancing RVI’s strategy in the country.
• Engages with RVI transregional programmes and partners beyond Ethiopia.
• Leads the RVI Ethiopia teams.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationship with prospective and current donors and partners supporting RVI’s work in Ethiopia.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• Represents RVI in Ethiopia and has delegated authority and responsibility on certain statutory matters related to RVI’s work in Ethiopia.
• Manages relations with donors, consultants, and institutional partners in Ethiopia.
• Is accountable for ensuring RVI complies with legal, operational, and financial regulations in Ethiopia that apply to Civil Society Organisations
• Oversees and is accountable for the efficient and effective administration of RVI’s office and operations.
• Is responsible for duty of care and the security and safety of RVI staff and consultants employed by RVI in Ethiopia.
• Manages the performance of RVI staff in Ethiopia and supports their professional development.
• Manages a functional office that meets the needs of the Institute in Ethiopia.
• Oversees and has overall responsibility for managing RVI’s programmes and projects in Ethiopia, including the PRF, and is accountable to donors, partners and researchers and for ensuring the quality of project outputs and for timely and efficient programmatic and financial reporting.
• Represents RVI in relevant government, non-government and donor forums in liaison with the Head of Programmes and the Executive Director.
• Has overall responsibility for the design and implementation of all RVI projects in Ethiopia and for managing project staff.
• Supports the advancement of RVI’s strategy and programmes by developing new projects and raising funds in Ethiopia, in consultation with the Head of Programmes, the Executive Director and other RVI staff.
• Contributes to organisational leadership and decision-making as a member of the Management Team and collaborates with Executive Management Team on relevant issues.
• Participates and actively contributes to organisational planning, review and reporting activities, and undertakes cross-organisational responsibilities as requested.
• Keeps abreast of the social, economic, political and security context of the country and updates the EMT regularly to ensure informed organisational decisions at all times.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESOURCES

• Has financial oversight for all RVI projects in Ethiopia with responsibility for the management of all secured grants, while developing new funding streams for the long-term sustainability of RVI in Ethiopia
• Ensures the quality and timely production and submission of all internal and external project narrative and financial reports to RVI and donors and statutory reports to the relevant government offices.
• Manages the RVI Ethiopia office staff and consultants.
• Responsible for safely managing knowledge resources (contacts and documents) on behalf of RVI.
• Custodian of all RVI financial and material assets in the RVI Ethiopia office as well as RVI’s Bank Accounts.