

Job opportunities at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Ethiopia
Opportunity Overview Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ethiopia is hiring a Youth Development & Sport Officer, with applications due by July 31, 2026. The role is based in Ethiopia, where JRS has operated since 1982, running programs in Addis Ababa, the Somali region (Melkadida, Kobe, and Bokolomayo refugee camps), and Tigray (Mai-Aini and Adi-Harush refugee camps). This is a field-facing position working directly with refugee communities, not a desk job. JRS is an international Catholic organization founded by the Society of Jesus on November 14, 1980, in Rome, Italy. Its mission is to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. The organization operates in over 56 countries worldwide, making it one of the larger faith-based humanitarian networks. In Ethiopia, JRS focuses on education, livelihoods, child protection, psychosocial support, emergency assistance, and reconciliation and social cohesion. The Youth Development & Sport Officer would sit at the intersection of several of these program areas, using sports as a tool for engagement and development. Ethiopia hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, with hundreds of thousands of people living in camps across the Somali and Tigray regions. The Somali region camps, including Melkadida, Kobe, and Bokolomayo, are in a hot, arid climate near the border with Somalia. The Tigray camps, Mai-Aini and Adi-Harush, sit in the northern highlands, where conditions are cooler but the region has faced significant conflict and displacement in recent years. Working in these settings means long field days, basic living conditions, and a need for resilience. Addis Ababa, the capital, offers more amenities, but the real work happens in the camps where refugees live. This role is for someone with experience in youth programming, sports management, or community development, ideally in a humanitarian or refugee context. It requires patience, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to design activities with limited resources. If you have a background in sports coaching, social work, or education and want to apply those skills in one of the world's most challenging humanitarian environments, this could be a strong fit. Responsibilities - Design and implement youth development programs using sports and recreational activities as the primary engagement tool - Organize sports leagues, tournaments, and training sessions for refugee youth in camp settings - Identify and train youth leaders and peer coaches to sustain activities between staff visits - Coordinate with schools, community committees, and other JRS program teams to integrate sports into broader education and psychosocial support efforts - Monitor participant attendance and track outcomes, documenting how sports activities contribute to youth well-being and social cohesion - Manage sports equipment, facilities, and budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively and accounted for - Facilitate workshops on life skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, and healthy living alongside sports activities - Report regularly to program management on activity progress, challenges, and community feedback Requirements & Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in sports science, physical education, social work, youth development, or a related field - At least 2-3 years of experience in youth programming, sports coaching, or community development, preferably in a humanitarian or refugee setting - Strong understanding of child protection principles and safeguarding practices - Experience organizing sports events or recreational activities in low-resource environments - Ability to work in remote field locations with limited amenities and frequent travel between camps - Fluency in English; knowledge of Somali, Tigrinya, or Amharic is a strong advantage - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across cultural and linguistic lines - Willingness to live and work in refugee camps in the Somali or Tigray regions Benefits - Salary and benefits package consistent with JRS Ethiopia NGO pay scales - Field accommodation provided in camp locations - Health insurance coverage - Opportunities for professional development and training in humanitarian programming - The chance to work directly with one of the world's largest refugee populations in a meaningful, hands-on role How to Apply 1. Prepare your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience in youth development and sports programming, specifically in humanitarian or refugee contexts. 2. Submit your application materials before the July 31, 2026 deadline. 3. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.