Meet our colleagues—inspiring women from Ethiopia

Genet Yisak is a 33-year-old single mother who works as a field officer for emergency response in Konso, southern Ethiopia, where communities struggle with drought, floods and conflicts. Genet is not just another employee; she is an inspiration to many women at People in Need (PIN). Despite living 400 km away from her four-year-old child in a difficult environment, she bravely manages the challenges while supporting her family in raising her child. 

But Genet's journey doesn't stop there. She also lent her expertise to our education development programme and worked in the field office.

At PIN, we provide opportunities for women to transition into development sector roles once emergency projects conclude, an opportunity Genet is grateful for. She believes that women can be economically independent. Genet is now encouraging women, breaking down barriers.

Genet notes that compared to men there are few women at the field level, and it's uncommon to see many women based in remote areas and working on humanitarian assistance. Genet hopes to see more women in her role in the future.

A Rising Star in Our Team

Meet Yerosen Niguse, 27, who joined our organisation through a women's internship programme. Yerosen completed her Bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently interning in the human resource department. As a recent graduate in Ethiopia, it's tough to find job opportunities. She is grateful to have gotten the chance to work with us: "To be honest, I didn't think I would get this position because of the intense competition. But now, I realise that it's a matter of trying."

Yerosen enjoys working in a comfortable environment where she can meet great people and learn from experienced colleagues whom she looks up to. She has a message for women who think that the non-governmental sector is not for them: "There are plenty of opportunities for women at People in Need, and women are highly appreciated here."

Through Mihiret´s lens

Mihiret Wasihun is our Communication Officer. She started her PIN career in 2021 as an intern, much like Yerosen. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communication and found PIN to be a fertile ground for both personal and professional growth. Mihiret's interest in visual storytelling and humanitarian work dates back to her childhood. She always dreamt about this job , and after several attempts and applications, she found her dream job at PIN.

Starting as an intern, Mihiret has honed her skills, serving as an inspiring figure for interns aspiring to make their mark within the organisation. As a 26-year-old with boundless energy and exceptional communication skills, Mihiret's role as a photographer takes her to various intervention areas. Through her lens, she captures the essence of people's experiences and emotions. Mihiret has encountered societal stereotypes and biases, particularly with photography being traditionally seen as a "man's job". However, she faces these challenges with resilience and humour, showing her confidence and breaking down barriers. 

Mahlet is Empowering Women

Mahlet Temesgen joined PIN in 2014, and her journey reflects our commitment to enhancing female participation, empowering women, and fostering a diverse working environment. Mahlet started at PIN as a cleaner but quickly climbed the ranks and earned promotions to four different positions. Currently, she serves as a logistics officer, where she ensures smooth collaboration among colleagues, meets cleaners' needs, prepares accommodations, and provides flight tickets.

Mahlet supervises a team of 19 security guards and 5 cleaners. She ensures our activities run smoothly and cultivates a supportive working environment. Reflecting on her experience, Mahlet emphasises the importance of empowerment and inclusivity at PIN. She values the organisation's dedication to promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for all employees. Mahlet expressed her hope to see a woman driver within the organisation. 

Mahlet encourages women to take advantage of opportunities offered by PIN, emphasising the many pathways available for personal and professional growth.

People in Need Ethiopia is dedicated to enhancing female participation and empowerment and providing professional working experience. Since 2018, our internship programme has been helping recent female graduates with hands-on experience in various programmatic and operational activities. We're proud to announce that out of the initial 51 interns, 22 have been promoted to different roles within our organisation, from assistants to officers.

In 2024, we've seen a 2.3% growth in the number of female employees compared to 2023, and we're thrilled to continue this trend of female empowerment. Currently, 57 outstanding women are contributing their talents and skills to People in Need Ethiopia.

As we continue our mission of empowering women, we encourage enthusiastic female candidates to follow our job vacancies and apply for open positions candidates:
https://www.ethiojobs.net/display-job/525003/Hygiene-and-Sanitation-Promoter.html?searchId=1709791039.5967&page=1
https://www.ethiojobs.net/display-job/524959/Field-Coordinator.html?searchId=1709791085.969&page=1