Cluster Coordinator – iWork (Addis Ababa/Jimma/ Harar)

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people. 

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community-based organizations across eight program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

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Our Commitment to Safeguarding  

At SOS Children's Villages, safeguarding isn't just a policy, it's a foundational value embedded in everything we do. We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting the children, young people, adults, and communities we serve, as well as our workforce and resources.

We cultivate an environment of trust and accountability where every voice is heard and respected. All successful candidates will be expected to champion our holistic safeguarding principles, actively upholding our Child & Youth Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and regulations against sexual misconduct, fraud, and corruption.

By joining our team, you commit to integrating these vital standards into your work, ensuring the highest levels of safety, ethics, and integrity in every action and partnership.

Together, we create a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and protected

Join Our Mission:

We are looking for a Proactive Cluster Coordinator to work under the supervision of the Location Program Director, being responsible for the overall coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, quality assurance, and reporting of the iWork Programme within the assigned cluster. The role ensures effective delivery of interventions under the programme’s three pillars: Workforce Development, Host Institution Facilitation, and Ecosystem Strengthening.

The position leads engagement with government institutions, private sector employers, TVET institutions, One-Stop Service Centers (OSS), and other ecosystem actors to facilitate quality internship opportunities for young women and disadvantaged groups as a pathway to employment and economic participation.

The incumbent ensures that programme implementation complies with SOS Children's Villages policies and procedures, donor requirements, safeguarding standards, and national regulations. is responsible for the overall coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, quality assurance, and reporting of the iWork Programme within the assigned cluster. The role ensures effective delivery of interventions under the programme’s three pillars: Workforce Development, Host Institution Facilitation, and Ecosystem Strengthening.

Key Responsibilities 

Workforce Development

• Coordinate the identification, mobilization, registration, screening, and onboarding of eligible young women and other vulnerable youth for programme participation.

• Oversee participant profiling, career assessment, employability preparation, and life skills training to improve workforce readiness.

• Monitor participant progress throughout the internship cycle and facilitate successful transition pathways into employment, entrepreneurship, or further learning opportunities.

• Promote equitable participation and inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized groups across programme activities.

• Verify participant attendance, internship completion records, and stipend documentation to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant stipend administration.

Host Institution Facilitation 

• Lead the identification, assessment, onboarding, and relationship management of host institutions across public, private, and civil society sectors.

• Ensure host institutions comply with programme standards, safeguarding requirements, workplace ethics, accessibility, and inclusion policies.

• Coordinate intern matching, placement, partnership agreements, internship contracts, and standard operating procedures to ensure quality internship experiences.

• Monitor internship implementation through field visits, mentorship follow-up, performance reviews, and timely resolution of workplace challenges affecting interns and host organizations.

• Conduct capacity assessments and coordinate technical training for host institutions on coaching, mentoring, safeguarding, gender equality, disability inclusion, workplace ethics, and conflict-sensitive business practices.

• Provide ongoing technical assistance and follow-up support to strengthen host institutions' capacity to deliver inclusive, high-quality internship opportunities.

• Conduct regular quality assurance visits, spot checks, and participant satisfaction assessments to maintain high standards of internship delivery and participant welfare.

Ecosystem Strengthening 

• Lead the planning, implementation, and periodic review of cluster-level programme activities in alignment with approved work plans, budgets, donor agreements, and organizational policies.

• Develop annual operational plans, implementation schedules, and resource allocation plans to ensure effective programme delivery across the cluster.

• Coordinate integrated implementation across programme pillars to achieve programme targets, milestones, and quality outcomes.

• Facilitate regular planning, coordination, and performance review meetings with project teams and key stakeholders to strengthen programme effectiveness.

• Identify programme implementation risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures to minimize operational disruptions.

• Strengthen collaboration with OSS centres, TVET institutions, universities, community structures, and referral partners to expand participant outreach and engagement.

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector employers, educational institutions, and development partners to strengthen internship ecosystems and labour market linkages.

• Represent the programme in coordination forums, technical working groups, stakeholder engagement events, and policy dialogue initiatives related to youth employment and workforce development.

• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, gender equality, disability inclusion, and organizational protection standards across all programme activities and partnerships.

• Monitor programme performance by ensuring accurate data collection, indicator tracking, documentation, reporting, and application of evidence for adaptive programme management.

• Manage programme budgets, procurement processes, assets, and financial resources in accordance with donor requirements and organizational financial policies.

• Review budget utilization, expenditure trends, forecasts, and financial reports to support effective resource management and accountability.

Our Ideal Candidate?

Let's find out if we're a match. The next step in our process depends on how your background closely align with the below criteria’s. 

Essential Requirements (Must-Have):  

Education:

Master’s degree in development studies, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management, Sociology, Social Work, Education, Labour Studies, or related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 (Five) years of relevant professional experience in youth employment, workforce development, internship programmes, TVET, livelihoods, private sector engagement, or economic empowerment programmes.
• Minimum of 3 (Three) years of the total relevant experience must be in project coordination or management roles.
• Experience managing donor-funded programmes is required.     

Role Specific Competencies:        

• Project Cycle Management (PCM): Ability to sequence activities logically, adjust plans in response to performance data, and reallocate resources effectively to stay on track. 
• Youth Employment and Workforce Development: Skill in applying labour market knowledge to assess intervention relevance and adjust approaches to improve actual placement outcomes.
• Internship Programme Management: Capability to systematically monitor placement quality, resolve workplace issues impartially, and uphold participant welfare across all internship stages.
• Partnership and Stakeholder Management: Ability to influence diverse actors, negotiate mutually beneficial arrangements, and maintain sustained engagement through consistent communication.
• Labour Market Systems Development: Skill in analysing local employment ecosystems and facilitating durable connections between supply-side training and employer demand.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL): Capacity to critically interpret indicator data, translate findings into practical corrective actions, and promote team-wide use of evidence for decision-making.
• Financial and Budget Management: Ability to track expenditure trends, identify variances early, and exercise sound judgment in resource reallocation to ensure donor compliance and value-for-money.
• Safeguarding and Protection: Behavioural commitment to proactively identify risks, handle disclosures with confidentiality, and consistently model protective practices that influence others.
• Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI): Skill in recognising and countering exclusionary biases, adapting outreach methods for marginalised groups, and holding partners accountable to equitable participation.
• Private Sector Engagement: Capability to articulate clear business value propositions, negotiate credible placement agreements, and respond flexibly to shifting employer requirements.
• Reporting and Documentation: Skill in synthesising complex programme data into concise, accurate, and well-structured narratives that meet donor expectations and internal review standards.

Desired Assets (Nice-to-Have): 

• Hands-on experience in donor engagement, public‑private partnerships, TVET systems, youth employment programming, policy advocacy.
• Proficiency in local languages of the project implementing areas. 

SOS Lead and Core Competencies 

Lead Competency 

• Role model: Act as a role model for the organization, living our values and inspiring and learning from others
• Collaboration: Remove barriers to participation, share decision making and build partnerships
• Empowerment: Promote inclusion and equitable sharing of power
• Strategic Thinking: Live the values and mission, setting realistic goals and translating them into actionable plans

Core Competency 

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others.
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary.
• Results Orientation: look for solutions and focus on desired results.

Does This Sound Like You?

To apply, please submit your updated resume via SOS Children's Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

We actively champion diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage women to step forward and apply. As part of our unwavering commitment to holistic safeguarding protecting children, youth, adults, and assets our selection process emphasizes value alignment and includes thorough background checks for all potential hires.

SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer, providing fair consideration to all applicant regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.