Economic Recovery Officer – Agriculture, NRM &DRM

Economic Recovery Officer – Agriculture, NRM &DRM

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. DRC Ethiopia began operations in 2009 and has been responding to the needs of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities ever since.  DRC Ethiopia currently has programs implemented through five area offices (AO) in North Area Tigray, Somali (Jijiga & Dollo Ado) and Afar regions, as well as its country office (CO) in Addis Ababa.

About the job

The Agriculture, NRM& DRM Officer will be responsible for the development, and implementation of overall agricultural; practices, DRM plans, Emergency Management, and early warning Information systems from the woreda up to the community level. He/she will be also responsible for developing strategies for integrated disaster risk treatment, supporting local stakeholders and partners in DRM plan development, overseeing risk management projects, and providing technical advice on risk assessments and mitigation activities. Moreover, the role holder will be responsible for establishing and Strengthening of Social institutions like Natural Resource management committee, Early warning Commitee and the Disaster Risk Managment committee in operational areas of the project and create information communication system between kebele, woreda and Zonal level. The Economic Recovery officer (Agriculture, NRM & DRM) is expected to have strong experience of crop and livestock production, soil and water conservation practice both in physical and biological conservation areas, creation of durable livelihood solutions through improved natural resource management practise ice is among the expected qualities for the incumbent. Experience of managing communal and private based natural resource and integrating with disaster risk management system is among the other requirements. The position holders is expected to have a proved experience of integrated watershed management especially in low land context. Knowledge of GIS and delineation of watershed areas proposed for different conservation practice, knowledge of production of improved forage with integration of the soil and water conservation practice is among the other requirement for the post holder.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programme Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation:  

• Conduct initial assessments of climate vulnerability, livelihood and conflict sensitivity and community capacity analysis with special emphasis on resources on traditional disaster risk management and decision-making structures.
• Conduct consultative community meetings on project interventions related to agriculture, irrigation, and agronomy.
• Provide support to agro-pastoralists and follow up the agronomic practices irrigation water management, and livestock production and management.
• Facilitate farmer's field day and demonstrate agronomic practices, and irrigation water management to improve agro-pastoralist practices.
• Work closely with government AEWs, community leaders, and local authorities to ensure community engagement and support for agriculture and livestock activities.
• Mapping of situation of natural resource management practice, identify challenges and bottlenecks for improved conservation practice and propose possible improvement plan on the findings.
• Identify and propose different and appropriate types of conservation structures based on the nature of the landscape of affected areas.
• Provide training on physical and biological conservation practice for Development Agents and communities of the targeted area.
• Delineation of catchments and watershed areas for soil and water conservation practice and production of improved forage varities.
• Develop and implement natural resource management plans and disaster risk reduction strategies
• Provide technical and advisory support to Community based Structures to Implement and monitor Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plans,
• Conduct environmental assessments and hazard/risk mapping and support the development and delivery of climate risk information services, coordinating multi-hazard risk assessments,
• Coordinate with government stakeholders and agencies, NGOs, and communities on resource management and disaster preparedness
• Support disaster information management systems, guide community-planned resilience-building initiatives, and emergency fund/crisis modifier through establishing criteria for targeted beneficiaries.
• Provide guidance and leadership during the establishment and, Strengthen NRM committees
• Support the promotion of climate-positive technologies based on local appropriateness (e.g. fuel stoves and green charcoal).
• Provide support on the implementation of Cash support for work for physical and biological NRM activities and governance in the overall implementation.
• Support identification and systematic inclusion of key NRM governance stakeholders at local and regional levels in all relevant activities and processes.
• Develop and implement strategy for community-led disaster risk management by integrating the traditional forecast system with that of the science-based information for the community to able to anticipate and prepare for risks.
• Contribute to the strengthening of knowledge management in DRM by attending partnership meetings; providing technical advice on project issues; monitoring the achievement of project milestones
• Integrate community-based NRM approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building of vulnerable groups into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective MEAL systems to reach desired impacts.

Capacity development

•  Support the identification and registration of project beneficiaries, ensuring they meet the selection criteria.
• Train lead farmers on  improved climate smart agriculture (CSA), agro ecological practices  and nutrition sensitive agriculture (NSA) practices
• Provide cascaded climate smart training on animal husbandry, bee keeping, fish farming, improved forage seed production for households

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Collaborate with other peer project teams in the field and AO to ensure the smooth operation of the project activities under his supervision.

About you

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• BSc  degree in NRM, DRMSD, Environmental study, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, and other relevant field of study.
• At least 2 years of working experience in the field of Agriculture (Crop, NRM and DRM) Among which at least 1 year of direct NGO Experience.
• Experience in project management, budget administration, and donor reporting
• Good experience in GIS and remote sensing, good knowledge of English language and computer literat

Personal/Professional Skills:

• A strong team worker;
• Aptitude to work in difficult conditions and stressful situations;
• Excellent internal and external communication and coordination capabilities and excellent team building and coordination skills;
• Continuous Learning; a colleague who promotes continuous learning for self and others;
• Creativity and Initiative; someone who actively seeks new ways of improving programs, services and partnerships;
• Performance Management; a person who identifies ways and implements actions to improve the performance of self and others;
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision; 

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• BSc degree in agriculture, NRM, DRMSD, Environmental study, Environmental Engineering, Forestry

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Good knowledge of English languages and local languages

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: upto  31 Dec 2025

Band: H2 - non management

Type of Contract - National Contract

Designation of Duty Station: Dollo Ado Somali Region

Start date: Soonest possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 9th April 2025

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.