Economic Recovery Officer – Agriculture, NRM & DRM

Job Description

Overall Purpose of the Role

The Agriculture, NRM & DRM Officer is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing agricultural practices, disaster risk management (DRM) plans, emergency management activities, and early warning information systems from woreda to community level. The role provides technical leadership in integrated disaster risk treatment, supports local stakeholders and partners in DRM planning, oversees risk management projects, and delivers technical guidance on risk assessment and mitigation measures.

The position also leads the establishment and strengthening of community-based social institutions, including Natural Resource Management Committees, Early Warning Committees, and Disaster Risk Management Committees. The Officer will facilitate effective information and communication systems between kebele, woreda, and zonal levels within the project’s operational areas.

The Economic Recovery Officer (Agriculture, NRM & DRM) must bring strong experience in crop and livestock production, soil and water conservation (both physical and biological), and the development of durable livelihood solutions through improved natural resource management practices. Experience in managing communal and private natural resources and integrating these systems with disaster risk management is essential. The role requires proven experience in integrated watershed management, particularly in lowland contexts, as well as knowledge of GIS, watershed delineation, improved forage production, and soil and water conservation integration. The position involves frequent field travel, with approximately 75% of time spent in the field.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Conduct initial assessments on climate vulnerability, livelihoods, conflict sensitivity, and community capacity, with particular attention to traditional disaster risk management systems and decision-making structures.
• Facilitate consultative community meetings on agriculture, irrigation, and agronomy-related project interventions.
• Provide technical support to agro-pastoralists and follow up on agronomic practices, irrigation water management, and livestock production and management.
• Organize and facilitate farmers’ field days and practical demonstrations on agronomic practices and irrigation water management.
• Work closely with government Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), community leaders, and local authorities to ensure strong community engagement and ownership of agriculture and livestock activities.
• Map existing natural resource management practices, identify challenges and bottlenecks, and propose practical improvement plans.
• Identify and recommend appropriate conservation structures based on landscape characteristics of the target areas.
• Deliver training to Development Agents and communities on physical and biological soil and water conservation practices.
• Delineate catchments and watershed areas for soil and water conservation and improved forage production.
• Develop and implement natural resource management plans and disaster risk reduction strategies.
• Provide technical and advisory support to community-based structures in the implementation and monitoring of Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plans.
• Conduct environmental assessments, hazard and risk mapping, and support the development and delivery of climate risk information services, including multi-hazard risk assessments.
• Coordinate with government institutions, NGOs, and community stakeholders on natural resource management and disaster preparedness initiatives.
• Support disaster information management systems, community-led resilience initiatives, and emergency fund or crisis modifier mechanisms by establishing beneficiary targeting criteria.
• Provide technical leadership during the establishment and strengthening of Natural Resource Management Committees.
• Promote climate-positive and locally appropriate technologies, such as fuel-efficient stoves and green charcoal.
• Support the implementation of cash-for-work activities related to physical and biological NRM interventions and governance.
• Ensure systematic identification and inclusion of key NRM governance stakeholders at local and regional levels across all relevant activities.
• Develop and implement community-led DRM strategies that integrate traditional forecasting systems with science-based early warning information.
• Contribute to DRM knowledge management through participation in coordination meetings, provision of technical advice, and monitoring progress against project milestones.
• Integrate community-based NRM approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity-building of vulnerable groups into all project activities.
• Ensure timely, target-oriented, and budget-compliant implementation using effective MEAL systems to achieve intended outcomes.
• Participate in partner project kick-off and close-out meetings.
• Take part in partner monitoring visits and prepare monitoring reports.
• Provide technical guidance to partners to ensure adherence to program quality standards.
• Actively engage in partner project management and review meetings.

Capacity Development

• Support the identification and registration of project beneficiaries in line with established selection criteria.
• Train lead farmers on climate-smart agriculture (CSA), agro-ecological practices, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA).
• Deliver cascaded training on climate-smart animal husbandry, beekeeping, fish farming, and improved forage seed production at household level.
• Participate in partner capacity assessments and collaborate with partners to implement capacity development plans.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with peer project teams at field and area office levels to ensure smooth implementation of project activities under the Officer’s supervision.

Skills and Qualifications

Experience and Technical Competencies

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development (DRMSD), Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in agriculture (crop production, NRM, and DRM), including at least one year of direct NGO experience.
• Experience in project management, budget administration, and donor reporting.
• Strong experience in GIS and remote sensing.
• Good command of English and strong computer literacy.

Education

• BSc degree in Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, DRMSD, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, or Forestry.

Language Requirements

• Good knowledge of English and relevant local languages.

Core Competencies

In this role, the post holder is expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focuses on achieving results through efficient and effective processes.
• Collaborating: Engages relevant stakeholders and actively seeks feedback.
• Taking the lead: Shows ownership, initiative, and a drive for innovation.
• Communicating: Communicates clearly, listens actively, and shares information honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholds the highest ethical and professional standards in line with DRC values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

What We Offer

• Contract length: 11 months
• Contract type: National Contract
• Band: H2
• Duty station: Filtu Woreda, Ethiopia – Field Office
• Start date: 1 February 2026

Salary and benefits will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Employees. Employment offers are subject to confirmed funding.

How to Apply

Application Process

Applicants must submit a cover letter and an updated CV (maximum four pages) in English through the designated application system. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

• Closing date: 23 January 2026

For additional information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult the organization’s website.

Equal Opportunity and Gender Equality

DRC is committed to gender equality and aims to achieve gender parity across all staffing levels. Qualified women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

DRC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. The organization does not discriminate based on age, sex, disability, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or any other protected characteristic.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.