The Afar Region is one of the driest places on Earth and more than half of the approximate 1.5 million inhabitants live below the absolute poverty line. Semi-nomadic pastoralism is the source of livelihood for the majority of the population.

The aim of the programme is to enhance the drought resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in the Afar region, and to assist local communities to manage their natural resources under conditions of a changing climate through conserving and sustainably using water, soil and rangeland resources.

1. National Rangeland Management Specialist

• Educational background in rangeland management, animal science, rural development or a similar discipline;
• Practical experience in rangeland management (establishment of rotation systems, participatory rangeland management) in dry and semi-dry areas;
• Expertise in respect of Soil and Water Conservation, bush clearing, reseeding/plantation  and other relevant rangeland rehabilitation measures;
• Expertise in de-bushing of rangeland and further treatment and transformation of biomass;
• Experience and proven track record in participatory methods in rural communities (work experience in pastoral communities would be an asset);
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset.

2. National Soil and Water Conservation Specialist

• Educational background in Agricultural engineering,  hydraulic engineering or a similar related discipline;
• Good knowledge and at least 7 years of practical experience in physical & biological soil and water conservation techniques, small scale irrigation development; hydrology and water resource management in dry and semi-dry areas;
• Good knowledge and experience in the design, establishment and operation of soil and water conservation measures; small scale irrigation scheme; 
• Experience and proven track record in participatory methods;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset.

3. National Civil Engineer/Hydraulic Engineer

• Postgraduate qualification in water supply engineering or a similar field;
• At least 7 years of practical work experience related to water infrastructure measures (e.g. construction/rehabilitation of rural water infrastructure, preferably with regard to water harvesting);
• Work experience gained in international organisations, public sector institutions and/or funding agencies;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset.

4. National Irrigation Agronomist

• Postgraduate qualification in agronomy, fodder production (agriculture, agro-economy, rural development, etc.);
• At least 7 years of practical work experience in the field of irrigation agriculture (focus on small-scale irrigation would be an asset);
• Good knowledge in assessing the economic feasibility of investments in the field of agriculture and rural development;
• Practical work experience with estimating investment costs and recurrent costs;
• Proven knowledge in the economics of irrigation agronomy;
• Experience with international organisations, public sector institutions and/or funding agencies;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset.

5. National Monitoring & Evaluation Expert

• Postgraduate qualification in an appropriate field such as Rural Development, Economics or any related field; 
• At least 7 years of practical work experience in this field, gained in international organisations, and/or funding agencies;
• Good knowledge of administrative procedures and experience in programme/project implementation, planning, monitoring and evaluation; experience with German Financial Cooperation would be a strong asset;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset.

6. National Livelihood Development Expert

• At least MBA, MSc in Economics, Rural Development or any other related field; 
• At least 7 years of practical work experience in this field, gained in international organisations, and/or funding agencies; 
• Proven knowledge in  the area of community-based livelihood development, promotion of small business and IGA, and  entrepreneurship with at least five years working experience in pastoral areas; 
• Good understanding on Ethiopia's rural development, Small Scale and Medium Enterprise development and cooperatives' promotion policies;
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills as well as stakeholder management and coordination experiences;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset. 

7. National Procurement Officer

• Postgraduate qualification in an appropriate field such as business administration;
• At least 7 years of practical work experience in this field, gained in international organisations, and/or funding agencies;
• Good knowledge of administrative procedures and experience in programme/project implementation, procurement, and financial management; experience with German Financial Cooperation would be a strong asset;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be a strong asset.

For all positions, proficiency in Afar language is desired. 

Interested experts are requested to fill in the attached template for CVs in English and send it as soon as possible via e-mail to Mrs Mariam Diagayete (mariam.diagayete [at] gopa.de (mariam[dot]diagayete[at]gopa[dot]de)) and Ms Lena Diekmann (lena.diekmann [at] gopa.de (lena[dot]diekmann[at]gopa[dot]de)). 

When sending your application, please indicate the position you are applying for (with title and number).  

Please note that we will only be able to respond to candidates who fulfil the listed qualification criteria.