National Project coordinator NEW

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages 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, the 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 and young people.

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

Why we need you?

We are looking for a national project coordinator who will be responsible for coordinating the overall implementation of green growth projects at different sites. The job holder drives the implementation of the project in line with the “Vision, Mission, Values”, strategies, policies, and plans of the organization, government legislation and donor requirements, and agreement.

What we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

While working with us as a National project coordinator you will be in charge of the following,

Project implementation and capacity building:

• Design strategies to deliver the result areas of projects in consultation with all relevant stakeholders;
• Advise and support field staff and implementing partners in the implementation of project activities;
• Together with relevant stakeholders (colleagues, consultants, and implementing partners) design curriculum, training manual, and best practice guide relevant to the implementation of projects.
• Work with partners and microfinance institutions to design strategies to increase access to finance for beneficiaries.
• Provides content-wise guidance to project staff in planning, budgeting, and reporting of project interventions.
• Partner with the HROD Unit to assess capacity gaps and facilitate capacity-building training for project staff;
• Ensures knowledge exchange between program locations implementing similar projects
• Prepare quality proposals and justifications for project no-cost extension and lead kick-off events

Quality Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Assist the Project MEAL officer and field staff in designing and developing tools to ensure sound data quality and monitoring of project deliverables;
• Work with the project staff and partners’ Monitoring and Evaluation staff to establish and ensure a functional M&E system that assesses the impact of project interventions;
• Contribute to the development/improvement of participatory monitoring and evaluation as well as documentation and sharing of lessons with others, as related to the project under implementation.
• Draft, compile, review, and share quality and results-based reports and updates with relevant stakeholders.
• Advises program unit managers and project coordinators in the location on quality project implementation and supports the implementation of monitoring, audit, and evaluation recommendations.
• Make sure relevant assessments and mid-term and terminal evaluations are conducted timely and with the expected quality
• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of quality standards and progress of projects/interventions through supportive supervision, internal program audits, and review of and feedback to project reports, statistics, and self-evaluation results to ensure that interventions are implemented in line with organizational plans, standards, and policies, and with national legislation.
• Make sure and assist that project and beneficiary data are properly and timely captured and documented on PDB2, PRODIGI systems and respective project monitoring tools.

Donor Contract Management

• Make sure and assist Review draft Partnership Agreements (PAs), follow up on the signing of the final version of project PAs and ensure the proper filing of signed PAs.
• Ensure the project is managed in accordance with the donor contract agreement.
• Led the preparation of quality reports as required by donors and counterparts, by contributing progress reports, lessons learned, and case studies for the project
• Ensure that all relevant co-workers are aware of donor and contract agreement requirements
• Coordinate and facilitate monitoring visits by donors and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate change requests (if required) and approvals with project donor

Budget and budget management

• Support program location and project team in the periodic budget revision
• Makes sure that budgets are used for intended purposes and that they are spent under approved procedures limits and donor requirements
• Work together with the project Finance officer, to clarify and update donor compliance procedures and budget burn rate
• Support Project Coordinators based in program locations in budget preparation and utilization.

Learning and Documentation

• Support Project Coordinators based in program locations in budget preparation and utilization.Collect, document, and share lessons learned and results of the implementation of project activities
• Keep up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples in-country and internationally, and ensure ongoing personal development and learning
• Follow-up and proper documentation of government policies, strategies, and legal documents linked with that specific project.
• Promote and strengthen cross-functional learning opportunities among locations, departments, and projects.
• Frequently showcasing measurable results related to his/her project.
• Contributes to the performance appraisals of project coordinators and project staff and provides immediate and relevant feedback

Advocacy, Partnership building, and networking

• Serve as the primary focal point and resource person for that specific project(s).
• Coordinate/lead regular meetings with the PSAs and donors and serve as a bridge between donors and; project staff.
• Assist identification of potential partner organizations for and preparation of MoU for effective implementation of the project;
• Actively engage in advocacy activities together with the advocacy advisor.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with Bureau of labour and Skills and TVET institutions at different levels
• Maintain and establish contacts among local partner organizations, training institutions, associations, government offices, the private sector, and others.
• Cooperates with the National portfolio managers, LPDs, and Location Project Coordinators in building strong links and cooperation with national government and local authorities, as well as other stakeholders to enhance the quality and sustainability of project implementation.
• Joins relevant networks, forums, platforms, campaigns, working groups and advocates on behalf of the organisation that mainly work for vulnerable groups.
• Assists the development of terms of reference for seeking consultancy engagement;
• Leads evaluation of proposals submitted by consultancy firms/individuals;
• Closely work with relevant sector offices and contribute towards the development of national guidelines and polices that support the well-being of vulnerable groups.
• Follow up and provide technical support and feedback on manuals and documents produced by consultants.
• Support associations and groups to promote changes that lead to policy and practice that create a framework for the well-being of vulnerable individuals and groups.

Gender Equity and Diversity

• Design, promote, and/or implement training curricula and capacity-building activities that take into account the needs of female and people with disabilities beneficiaries in terms of training topics, methodologies, timing, location, and other aspects;
• Ensure that gender and inclusion considerations and particularly access to information, services, finance, and markets, as well as other aspects of interventions, are incorporated into all assessments and activities.
• Promote gender equality in the implementation of the project
• Ensure that reports make explicit reference to approaches used to address unequal gender relations and ensure that beneficiaries’ data are disaggregated by gender.

Safeguarding

• Ensuring that holistic safeguarding (Child and youth, adult and asset safeguarding) measures are in place within his/her area of managerial responsibility and that staff, associates, and other key stakeholders are made aware of these measures and are supported in implementing them.
• Ensuring that safeguarding is integrated into all management processes including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field-level monitoring, etc.
• Creating and maintaining a managerial and operational environment where the Safeguarding Policies are effectively implemented.
• Fulfilling specific and additional responsibilities in achieving compliance of SOS Children’s Villages policies.
• Ensure that best interest and do no harm principles are applied and considered.

Up for the challenge…

Then check out our criteria:

Must Criteria

• Education: B.A. in Economics, Sociology, Social work, Project management, Business Administration, Marketing and Development studies
• Experience: Minimum 5 years working experience for MA/MSc degree holders and 7 years for BA/BSc degree holders

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience in project management, planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Good knowledge and understanding of youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and employability
• Awareness and understanding of social development issues including gender, education, and youth skill training.
• Understanding of human resource development
• Strong networking, partnership, and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of micro business and value chain business development
• Experience in budget development and knowledge of financial management
• High level of communication skills
• Ability to work under high-pressure
• Positive and professional approach: highly organized, results-oriented, using initiative and keeping commitments
• Computer literacy (MS Office and MS project)
• Experience in community mobilization
• Knowledge of national policy developments in youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and employability.
• Knowledge of project cycle management
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Driving licence (optional)

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: prioritize safeguarding, look for solutions and focus on desired results