INTRODUCTION Save the Children (SC) has openings for the following positions. If you are interested to join our team, please review below each position’s specification and requirement to help you make a decision
Job Title
Project Director
Code
Place of Work
Addis Ababa
Monthly Salary in ETB
As per the Organization’s scale
No. of Positions
I
Length of Contract
1 year with a possibility of extension
JOB SUMMARY:
Save the Children (SC) is the leading independent children’s movement in the world. We anticipate bidding on a program focusing on reducing child participation in harmful child labor and seek a Project Director to provide overall management, leadership and representation.
The Project Director will be responsible for the overall management, leadership, and representation of the SC integrated project on harmful child labor. This project will integrate child protection, education and livelihoods and focus on youth aged 14-17. The Project Director is the key leadership role for this project and will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, technical direction and management of the program. This includes developing multi-year project strategies and annual plans, designing and implementing a results-oriented M&E plan, developing strong external relations with key external stakeholders, and producing and using high quality evidence and research for learning and advocacy. The Project Director and other project staff will ensure that the project is implemented in close coordination with the US Department of Labor (USDOL), Save the Children’s Africa Area Office, partner organizations, and mandated government sectors. The Project Director will also be in charge of selecting, developing, and leading the project team, and selecting and working with any partner organizations.
The Project Director is also responsible for promoting project quality by working cross-functionally within the SC Ethiopia Country Office (EtCO) to ensure adherence to overall technical and programmatic quality in implementation, and the timely submission of all deliverables to US/DoL. This could include annual work plans, performance monitoring plans, semi-annual reports and annual reports as may be required. S/he will ensure engage with key technical and managerial staff within EtCO to ensure coordination, standardization of project implementation, donor compliance, and operational management. He/she will represent SC values and principles in interactions with his/her team and external stakeholders.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
In line with SCI’s dual mandate, these key areas of accountability apply to SCI Ethiopia’s work in emergencies (acute and chronic) and in development settings.
Program Strategy, Implementation, Management, and Representation
Lead the project strategic development and quality implementation, including development of financial and operational planning, annual work planning and an appropriate sustainability strategy
Provide management guidance and support to ensure smooth and timely start-up and implementation of project activities as per the approved project plans.
In close coordination with SC EtCO Program Operations, the Child Protection technical team and the partnership team, identify and select potential project partner organizations in accordance to SCI's partnership guidelines and identifying necessary development areas for partners.
Lead annual project operational planning and regular internal project planning and review meetings.
Provide technical and managerial support in reviewing and adapting strategies and project plans in view of changes in the internal and external operating environment.
Work closely with project staff, partners and SC Technical Advisors in developing strategies to ensure that program design incorporates relevant input.
Initiate and facilitate linkages, coordination and integration with other similar or related programmes/projects
Serve as the project focal point for regular liaison and communication with internal stakeholders including relevant SCI and member technical advisor staff. Identify technical support requirements and facilitate their execution.
Serve as the senior project lead for all relevant external representation requirements.
Budget Management and Donor Compliance
Prepare annual and quarterly project Program Operation Plan (POP) based on approved Detailed Implementation Plan (DIPs)
Manage budgets, including phasing of budgets as per work plans, monthly review of spend reports, identification of errors and required actions to address them
Ensure effective and efficient utilization of project budget and other resources for intended purpose including assigning resources to partners and for internal SC EtCO use; follow up on budget utilization and project expenditure as needed
Work with other internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate staff and partner training and capacity on compliance with USDOL regulations
Ensure that partner financial implementation and reporting are in line with the project agreement and requirements from donors and the Ethiopian Government; support partners as necessary to ensure proper financial management, utilization, and reporting
Facilitates communication and interaction between partners and the SC Awards team
Closely work with the Awards Team to efficiently monitor and track burn rates, reporting and financial compliance issues to proactively identify and address any problems
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning, and Reporting
Together with SC Program Development and Quality (PDQ) department staff, lead the development of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system for the project that adheres to donor requirements and SC good practices
Ensure that the MEAL system includes regular participation by project and partners staff
Lead project related situation analysis of children to establish baseline data for impact monitoring and to make any necessary adjustments to project implementation
Together with partner and project staff, carry out regular monitoring of project output and impact indicators
Ensure external project evaluation and research work is integrated into project design; designed and carried out according to SC standards; overseen by project and partner staff; and used for project improvement
Ensures proper understanding of cross-cutting issues among technical managers (gender, child protection & safeguarding, etc) and integration of these issues into project delivery
Undertake regular supportive supervision and (joint) monitoring at the field level to ensure proper and efficient staff and partner management, and project delivery
Support the conduct of periodic review meetings with all partners to facilitate experience sharing and cross fertilization of good practices and lessons
Uses evidence-based learning to support programme development and advocacy. Ensure that lessons learned are properly documented, effectively disseminated and, where appropriate, incorporated into wider advocacy initiatives.
Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure the project is contributing to objectives across the child protection sector.
Submit professional and timely quarterly and annual narrative and financial reports to the donor and SC including validation of data and consistency of reporting between narrative and financial reports.
Staff Management
Select, manage, and lead a diverse project team composed of child protection, education, livelihood, and operations (finance, admin, procurement, etc.) experts.
Establishes annual objectives and anticipated results from all staff members
Collaboratively undertakes performance-based management of staff members including regularly reviewing their performance, identifying areas for development, addressing those areas with capacity development opportunities, and developing longer-term career goals
Coaches, mentors and identifies structured training needs of the project team facilitating their professional development
Job Requirement
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Post graduate level education in social work, psychology, economic development/economics, education or related field; with relevant experience on areas of child protection, vocational education and youth livelihood programmes.
A minimum of 7 years management experience in a development environment leading, managing and implementing development projects, preferably in the field of harmful child work/labor, promotion of youth empowerment and livelihood programs, and community development
Significant field experience working with communities
Broad knowledge of child protection, harmful child work and social protection, and relevant socioeconomic, institutional and policy issues that are related to this area of work
Proven ability to manage a networked, diverse team of professionals, with good communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to motivate/lead staff.
Strong results-based management style with the ability to challenge existing mindsets as necessary
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
Demonstrated skills in leadership and supervision over complex projects
Experience working with government partners, with partner agencies, including local partners, in consortia, and relevant to child protection programming.
Experience successfully managing projects supported by the US Government or similar donor agencies.
Preferably experience with USDOL regulations and policies
Experience in Ethiopia or countries in a similar context
An understanding of child rights programming and commitment to Save the Children values.
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
Proven ability to manage a complex and demanding workload
Excellent spoken and written English
Good computer skills (particularly Excel, Word and database)