Project Assistant, Landscape Restoration – IUCN

BACKGROUND

This is a locally recruited position, and only applicants with the right to live and work in Ethiopia will be considered.
Position: To be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is implementing a watershed restoration project in Ethiopia’s Awash River Basin, funded by the Global Water Challenge. The project aims to enhance the health and functioning of the Awash River sub-basin to improve water replenishment and support the needs of water users.
To support the effective implementation of this project, IUCN seeks to recruit a Project Assistant who will provide essential administrative, logistical, and coordination support. While basic technical knowledge of natural resource and watershed management is desirable, this position is primarily focused on operational support, office management, and stakeholder coordination.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Major Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Programme Officer, the Project Assistant will:
1. Provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support for project implementation.
2. Coordinate communication and follow-ups with project stakeholders at local and district levels.
3. Support documentation, record-keeping, and knowledge management across the project lifecycle.
4. Assist in organizing meetings, field visits, workshops, and reporting.
5. Offer limited technical support to implementation teams, particularly in activities related to watershed restoration and natural resource management.
Specific Duties
1. Maintain and update project files, schedules, meeting records, and activity trackers.
2. Assist with planning and logistics for training sessions, fieldwork, community consultations, and multi-stakeholder meetings.
3. Facilitate internal and external communications, including taking minutes, preparing meeting briefs, and drafting correspondence.
4. Coordinate travel arrangements, bookings, and reimbursements for project team members and stakeholders.
5. Support simple bookkeeping tasks, procurement processes, and payment tracking in collaboration with the finance team.
6. Compile and format basic data and information for project progress reports and communication materials.
7. Serve as a liaison between the Addis-based team and field teams for logistical and administrative coordination.
8. Assist with basic project implementation activities as requested, particularly those involving outreach or community-level engagement.
9. Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.
REQUIREMENTS
Education
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in project management, environmental sciences, communications, or a related field.
Work Experience
1. At least two years of relevant work experience in administrative, logistical, or communication support roles within development or environmental projects.
2. Experience working with international organizations or multi-stakeholder projects is an advantage.
Language Proficiency
• Fluency in English, Amharic, and Afan Oromo languages.
Core Competencies
1. Transparency: Builds trust and contributes to informed and responsible decision-making; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and measurable results are understood.
2. Inclusiveness: Understands and respects cultural diversity, fostering a tolerant and supportive working environment; able to work effectively in a multicultural, multiethnic environment.
3. Professionalism: Promotes the organization’s interests and values diligently and professionally.
4. Accountability: Takes responsibility for individual and collective actions, promoting the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional Competencies
1. Adheres to IUCN core values: Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism, and Accountability.
2. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with proven ability to manage complex situations.
3. Effective coordination and network facilitation abilities.
4. Good verbal and written communication in English, Amharic, and Afan Oromo (spoken in project areas is a plus).
5. Basic knowledge of watershed restoration or natural resource management is desirable.
6. Competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); knowledge of digital communication or project management tools is an asset.
7. Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
8. Commitment to environmental sustainability, inclusion, and community-based approaches.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button at:

https://hrms.iucn.org/vacancy/7341

Applicants must create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during DST). Only selected applicants will be contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published on the IUCN website:
https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/