Project coordinator – (NO Digital Horizon project) Full Time NEW

Join Our Mission:

We are looking for National Project Coordinator who will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Digital Horizons project, lead visualization and digitalization efforts in the Member Association. This role ensures that ICT infrastructure, automated systems, and dashboards are implemented effectively, aligned with national strategies, and responsive to the needs of conflict-affected schools.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Coordination & Planning:

• 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.
• Develop detailed annual and quarterly work plans aligned with project objectives.
• Ensure integration of project activities with SOS CVE’s humanitarian and education portfolios.
• 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 trainings for project staffs.
• Work collaboratively to develop high-quality proposals and justifications for project no-cost extensions, and co-lead the organization of kick-off events

Digital Horizon Project:

• Act as the focal technical person for the Digital Horizon Project, ensuring timely and quality implementation.
• Provide technical support to project site teams.
• Oversee ICT infrastructure installation in SOS & partner schools and ICT resource centers/hubs establishments.
• Coordinate classroom digital device deployment and ensure functionality.
• Monitor and maintain ICT infrastructure at project sites.
• Support implementation of School Information Management Systems (SIMS).
• Manage internet connectivity solutions for schools.
• Support procurement and distribution of ICT devices of the project.
• Lead capacity development programs for teachers, admin staff, students, and community members.
• Oversee installation of security cameras and ensure regular cyber safety awareness sessions.
• Conduct project site visits for monitoring and evaluation.

Visualization and Automation:

• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and reports from multiple data sources for organizational performance monitoring.
• Design SharePoint sites of functions for visualization and collaboration
• Implement automation solutions using Power Platform and other tools to streamline business processes.
• Support GIS-based program information visualization for mapping and analysis.
• Drive digitalization and innovation initiatives to enhance program efficiency.
• Explore and integrate AI solutions into programs activities for improved impact.
• Facilitate knowledge management systems within the Member Association (MA).
• Support digital access and empowerment for children and young people in the community

Project Sites ICT coordination:

• Deliver first-level technical support for assigned project sites.
• Maintain inventory of ICT items and ensure proper documentation.
• Support procurement delivery inspection and distribution of ICT equipment.
• Conduct cybersecurity capacity building sessions regularly.
• Monitor ICT services, provide preventive and corrective actions, and prepare status reports.
• Facilitate capacity building for organizational communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint).
• Manage print services for assigned projects.
• Handle onboarding of new co-workers (non-management) for ICT systems.
• Install and maintain internet connectivity at project sites.

Procurement & Infrastructure Oversight:

• Support procurement of ICT equipment (laptops, smart screens, VR labs, solar systems).
• Ensure transparent and compliant procurement processes in line with donor requirements.
• Oversee installation of ICT labs, digital libraries, and solar-powered classrooms.

Capacity Building & Training Support:

• Design and oversee national training programs for teachers and administrative staff.
• Ensure inclusion of digital pedagogy, cybersecurity, and content development in training curricula.
• Support cascade training models to reach surrounding schools.
• Monitor gender and inclusion targets in training participation.

Quality Management, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• 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.
• Conduct quarterly monitoring visits to Mekelle and surrounding schools.
• Support the meal team for mid-term and terminal evaluations
• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of quality standards and progress of projects/interventions through supportive supervision, 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.

Budget management:

• Support program location and project team in the periodic budget revision.
• Work together with the Finance team, to clarify and update donor compliance procedures and budget burn rate.
• Support Project field Coordinators based at program locations in budget preparation and utilization.

Partnership building and networking:

• Liaise with the Ethio Telecom, and other partners.
• Represent SOS CVE in national education cluster meetings and digital transformation platforms.
• Provide support in the identification of potential partner organizations for and preparation of MoU for effective implementation of the project.
• Cooperates with the National ICT Manager, portfolio managers, LPD, and Location Project Coordinators in building strong links and cooperation with regional government and local authorities, as well as other stakeholders to enhance the quality and sustainability of project implementation.

Risk Management & Safeguarding:

• Ensure digital safeguarding protocols are implemented across all schools.
• Monitor compliance with child protection standards in digital environments.
• Identify risks related to infrastructure, connectivity, and community acceptance, and propose mitigation measures.
• 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 in all management processes including recruitment, on boarding, 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.

Our Ideal Candidate?

Let’s find out if we’re a match. The next step in our process depends on how your background closely align with the below criteria’s.

Essential Requirements (Must-Have):

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in ICT, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field

Experience:

• Minimum 4–7 years in ICT coordination or similar role or digital transformation projects.

Desired Assets (Nice-to-Have):

• Proven experience in post-conflict or humanitarian settings
• Familiarity with ICT infrastructure setup, networking, and cybersecurity best practices
• Hands-on experience with Power BI, SharePoint, Power Platform, and GIS tools
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopia’s Digital Education Strategy and humanitarian education frameworks
• Good command of English, written and spoken
• Experience in donor-funded project management, procurement, and reporting

Competencies – knowledge, skills, abilities:

• Project management, planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Strategic planning and coordination
• ICT literacy and digital education integration
• Stakeholder management and partnership building
• Results-based reporting and donor communication
• Child protection and inclusive education commitment
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Strong networking, partnership, and interpersonal skills.
• 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
• Knowledge of project cycle management
• Willingness to travel frequently

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