Protection and Resilience Project Manager Full Time

EXPERTISE FRANCE              

Expertise France (EF) is a public agency created in 2015 and merging 6 French public agencies under the supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy and Finance, with a strong inter- ministerial vocation. EF offers project engineering and technical assistance by developing and implementing international cooperation actions worldwide. EF operates in various fields of development and institutional cooperation including safety and security reform, post-crisis and stability, public health, human rights, strengthening of institutions and NGOs and governance. Carrying out large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects, EF can ensure the cooperation between individuals, teams and institutions with very different statuses, cultures and specialties. Besides, EF has acquired a sound experience in administrative and financial management of large-scale international projects.

Background and Presentation of the Project

The conflict in northern Ethiopia continues to impose severe and lasting impacts on the region, exacerbating humanitarian needs and affecting vulnerable populations, particularly in Afar and Tigray regions. Despite the November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, ongoing violence has intensified the demand for protection and socio-economic support for those affected.

Protection and Resilience in Northern Ethiopia Project

In response, Expertise France has initiated a comprehensive program to support the protection and resilience needs of conflict-affected communities. This program focuses on improving access to essential protection services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and other vulnerable groups, including supporting safe houses and promoting sustainable service delivery through policy dialogue. Furthermore, it seeks to foster long-term recovery by integrating livelihood initiatives that support economic self-sufficiency and contribute to stabilization in the region.

Complementing existing Expertise France projects, this initiative aims to enhance resilience and recovery for these communities by addressing both urgent humanitarian needs and the foundations for sustainable recovery. The program’s objectives include (OS1) strengthening access to quality protection services that meet health, safety, and justice needs, as well as (OS2) involving GBV survivors and other vulnerable groups in livelihood activities that build resilience and advance recovery.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Project Manager will be in charge of the overall steering and implementation of the Protection and Resilience in Northern Ethiopia Project.

Under the supervision of the Expertise France Desk Officer in EF Headquarters (HQ) in Paris, and in operational coordination with the Addis Abeba EF team, he/she will carry out the following activities:

Project planning and implementation of activities

• Develop the overall and detailed project planning according to the logical framework;
• Follow-up activities implementation on daily basis, and ensure remit of its initial design, budget and proposal. Propose adjustments when necessary and communicate needs for external support to HQ;
• Ensure compliance of activities implementation with donor rules and contractual obligations as well as with EF regulations and procedures;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for protection services at One-Stop Centers (OSCs) and Safe Houses, ensuring that staff are fully trained on GBV case management, survivor-centered support, and referral pathways;
• Perform any other related duties upon instructions.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Update detailed project planning on a monthly/weekly basis to monitor the project and indicators to enable regular assessment in association with the M&E advisor;
• Prepare and report to HQ on a monthly basis on project expenditure, forecast, progress and challenges, coordinate with the HQ Desk officer the preparation and holding of quarterly project operational and financial reviews and ensure timely preparation of deliverables as per EF requirements (PME tools, detailed financial forecast, etc.);
• Prepare donor narrative and financial reports for HQ validation prior to formal submission;
• Lead on, in coordination with the Programme Coordinator and HQ Desk officer, the preparation and holding of Steering Committees with donors as per contract obligations and of Technical Committees with partners on regular basis;

Budget management

• Develop the budget planning, update it regularly in association with the Admin/Fin Manager based in Addis and the HQ team;
• Steer and monitor project expenditures including partners’ expenditures, ensure efficient distribution of resources, maintain detailed budget forecast to maximize the use of available resources;
• Allocate and monitor funds specifically for survivor livelihood initiatives, including the provision of start-up capital for micro-businesses and vocational training programs. Conduct regular assessments to ensure effective use of these resources in line with survivor needs and project objectives;
• Consolidate partners’ financial follow-ups with the Admin/Fin manager before transferring to the HQ for validation;
• Prepare, update and monitor relevant procurement and HR plans as per project needs.

Human Resources and Team Management

• Manage the project team comprised of the Protection Officer and the two field officers and project experts.
• Ensure clear delineation of responsibilities, determine yearly objectives for supervised staff, and evaluate performance;
• Maintain good and efficient work conditions and relations in order to meet programme objectives;
• Coordinate and manage the partners managing the project activities , such as the OSC trainings, and the Roving Medical and Protection Teams (RMPTs). Ensure they are equipped to deliver integrated health and protection services in the project areas.
• Regularly evaluate activities, outcomes, and logistical needs, adapting plans as necessary to maintain service quality and coverage;
• Ensure good and efficient working relationship with HQ Stabilization and Resilience Unit and other EF projects.
• Supervise the recruitment of local staff and assess the level of skills required, and ensure knowledge transfer and team capacity.

Strategy, Partnership and Coordination

• Lead advocacy efforts for the sustainability of the Safe Houses model, engaging closely with relevant government actors and NGO stakeholders;
• Manage relations with project partners. Follow-up on their activities on a regular basis, and include them in project strategic activities (steering and technical committee meetings, technical and operational partners’ meetings);
• Participate in various forums, sectorial coordination meeting, thematic groups and clusters on Protection and Resilience sector or Stabilization in Ethiopia, accompanying and supporting the protection officer;
• Ensure good and efficient project’s communication and visibility, lead on communication and visibility opportunities (seminars, publications, etc.) and liaise closely with the Com officer at HQ on communication deliverables;
• Consolidate and analyse context information, research and learning into a feasible strategy adapted to the EF activities in the Protection and Resilience sector in Ethiopia;
• Liaise with other project implementing agencies, donors and partners on site on the analysis, proposals and field activities;
• Duty station: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
• Project Location: Abala (Afar region), Mekelle (Tigray region)
• Duration of assignment: 11 months (full time)
• Contract type: fixed-term employment contract
• Starting date: 01/01/2025
• LOCATION: The duty station of the position is Addis Abeba (Ethiopia), with regular travels to Mekelle (Tigray) and Abala (Afar), depending on the security context.