Junior Project Officer (VIA) – Project "Women Economic Empowerment in Ethiopia" (M/W)

About the Organization

Expertise France is an international cooperation agency. The Women Economic Empowerment in Ethiopia (WEE-ETH) project is funded by the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia and aims to strengthen women-led business ecosystems and women's economic empowerment across key value chains in Ethiopia, contributing to the creation of decent and green jobs, socio-economic resilience and inclusive economic growth.

The action aims to achieve the following specific results:

• Result 1: Highly vulnerable women, aspiring women entrepreneurs, and women owners/managers of growth-oriented women-owned or women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have strengthened their employability, autonomy, resilience and meaningful participation in economic activities through improved skills, agency and access to economic opportunities.
• Result 2: Highly vulnerable women, aspiring women entrepreneurs, and women-owned or women-led MSMEs have improved their financial inclusion through sustainable access to appropriate and tailored financial products and services.
• Result 3: Aspiring women entrepreneurs and women-owned or women-led MSMEs become more competitive and better integrated into sustainable value chains at local and national levels.

Based in Addis Ababa, the team will comprise a Project Manager, two Component Leads, and an Administration and Grants Officer.

Job Summary

The Junior Project Officer will support the Project Manager in the operational implementation of the project and will help lead activities related to dissemination, visibility and monitoring and evaluation.

This position offers valuable exposure to international cooperation, project governance, partnership management with European, Ethiopian and international public and private stakeholders, dissemination and visibility of project activities, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge capitalization, in close collaboration with three international cooperation agencies.

Depending on their level of autonomy, the VIA may also be asked to lead certain activities or cross-cutting project workstreams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Support for operations, activity implementation and partnership management (≈35%)

• Support the Project Manager and Component Lead in implementing project activities, contracting with stakeholders and monitoring partnership relations;
• Contribute to project planning, operational monitoring and financial reporting exercises, under the supervision of the Project Manager;
• Assist the team in preparing missions, workshops, operational meetings and project activities;
• Contribute to mapping potential stakeholders and intermediary organisations to support the sourcing of partners and beneficiaries;
• Contribute to the organisation of project events (workshops, events with beneficiaries, etc.).

2. Support for project governance and reporting (≈25%)

• Contribute to the preparation of annual reporting to the European Union, under the supervision of the Project Manager;
• Support the Project Manager in preparing Steering Committees (federal level) and Technical Committees (regional level);
• Prepare concept notes, presentations, minutes and other documents related to governance bodies.

3. Dissemination and visibility (≈20%)

• Design communication materials to disseminate calls for proposals, calls for tenders and calls for applications related to project activities;
• Collect content (testimonials, images, etc.) and produce documentation showcasing the project and its activities, including for Expertise France's various internal communication channels;
• Ensure compliance with European Union visibility requirements.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) (≈20%)

• In coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer at headquarters, contribute to monitoring and evaluation of project activities (development of a MEAL plan, implementation of data-collection arrangements, data consolidation, etc.);
• Ensure the filing, archiving and organisation of all project documentation in accordance with Expertise France procedures and European Union requirements;
• Produce project knowledge-capitalisation content (governance, activities, etc.).

Required Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements

• Be no older than 28 years of age (the assignment must begin no later than the candidate's 29th birthday).
• Be a French national or a national of a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA).

Education

• Master's degree in international cooperation/international affairs, political science, European affairs, public policy, project management, business administration, geopolitics, communications, or any other relevant field.

Professional Experience

• At least 2 years of professional experience (including internships) in project management within an NGO, international organisation, consulting firm or entrepreneurship support organisation.
• Experience in sub-Saharan Africa and/or in the fields of gender equality and/or entrepreneurship would be an asset.
• Experience on a European Union-funded project or within an international organisation would be an asset.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Excellent command of English required. Proficiency in French is an asset. Knowledge of Amharic would be appreciated.
• Excellent organisational and coordination skills.
• Very strong analytical and synthesis skills.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to prepare presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Team spirit.
• Very strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel and Word).

Additional Information

Why join WEE-ETH?

• Contribute to the launch of a high-impact European Union-funded project from its earliest implementation stages.
• Work on a daily basis with European institutions, regional and local governments, implementing partners and inspiring women entrepreneurs.
• Gain hands-on experience in project governance, multi-country coordination and donor relations.
• Develop expertise in international project management in a multicultural environment.
• Build a unique professional network between Ethiopia and Europe.

Additional Information

• Duration: 12 months (renewable once)
• Desired start date: February 2027
• This position will only be officially confirmed upon signature of the project agreement. Expertise France therefore reserves the right to cancel or postpone the recruitment process if the agreement is not signed or if its signature is delayed.
• Applications must include a CV and a cover letter, both in English.
• Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements applicable to the VIA programme at the time of recruitment.
• The position is based at Expertise France's offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the entire duration of the assignment. Travel to other regions may be required depending on the project's needs.

How to Apply

Applications must include a CV and a cover letter, both in English.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY>>>