Plan International is an independent non-profit organization that advances children’s well-being and equality for girls. Working in building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years and present in 70 countries, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children while working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International Ethiopia is looking for Project Lead for Country Office who will be reporting to the Head of Program Quality.

Dimensions of the Role:

The Project Lead will be responsible and ultimately accountable for the strategic direction and planning, quality programming and implementation, financial management, team leadership, stakeholder and partner relations, and donor deliverables. The post-holder will be based in Addis Ababa yet travel to the project locations in Amhara and SNNPR for approximately 50% of their time.

Accountabilities:

Project Leadership and Management: Lead high quality, results-oriented program planning, implementation and reporting in compliance with donor, government and partnership agreements. A strong understanding of project cycle management for complex grants is essential.

Expected Outcomes:

• Management systems and processes consistent with program quality needs and donor requirements are created and implemented;
• Detailed implementation and procurement plans are updated and openly communicated on a monthly basis in line with project progress and results;
• Compliance tools and frameworks are designed, implemented and maintained, ensuring the project is consistently ready for audit;
• Expenditure is monitored monthly to ensure spending is on track and forecasts are duly updated based on project needs and in compliance with donor regulations;
• Quality programmatic and financial reports are prepared on time and in line with Plan International and donor standards;
• Ensure program strategies in gender equality, child protection, and adolescent sexual reproductive health are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities, and adhere to best practices in the sector;
• Effective monitoring and evaluation tools and processes are developed for measuring the results of the project, and project data is validated by and shared with relevant stakeholders.

Synergy, Communication and Coordination: Foster and maintain productive and professional relationships with and between all project stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes:

• Cultivate a positive relationship with the donor agency in Ethiopia;
• Foster strong coordination and collaboration with implementing partners and government departments through open and transparent communication, agreement on roles and responsibilities, and joint planning and review sessions;
• Provide strategic oversight over Plan International and partner activities to ensure alignment in approach, messaging and delivery;
• National Project Steering Committee meetings and regional Technical Advisory Committee meetings are organized and facilitated as per the project work plan;
• Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming.

Team Leadership: Lead and manage a team of professionals in Addis Ababa, Amhara and SNNPR to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.

Expected Outcomes:

• Roles, responsibilities and expectations are clearly communicated and understood by the full project team (including implementing partners), and tasks are appropriately delegated;
• Internal planning meetings are organized regularly to provide direction and guidance;
• Team members are mentored and coached to achieve their full potential and results of the project;
• Staff performance reviews are conducted in line with Plan International Ethiopia’s performance management system.

Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours Required:

Skills and Knowledge:

• Academic Qualification BA/MA in Project Management, Social Work, Sociology, and other related social science fields and Proven experience (minimum 10 years for BA & 7 years for MA) in leading complex development projects that delivered high quality programming and results;
• Progressive experience working for INGOs in increasingly senior positions (senior level project manager experience strongly preferred);
• Demonstrable experience managing multi-million dollar institutional grants through donors such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, DFID and European Union;
• Experience leading cross-functional and remote teams to deliver results.
• Aptitude for cultivating strong relationships with multiple stakeholders including implementing partners, government, and donors;
• Strong understanding of gender equality, child protection and adolescent sexual reproductive health.
• Ability to establish priorities in a time sensitive environment, meet deadlines, and ensure high quality deliverables;
• Ability to fully function in English (verbal and written) in essential. All donor reports, deliverables and communication will be in English.

Behaviours:

• Passion for mission driven work and personal values aligned with Plan International;
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity;
• Inclusive and empowering approach to leadership and project management;
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, natural ability to manage diverse opinions and agendas, finding win-win solutions in a respectful manner;
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate;
• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.

The closing date for the application is April 11, 2019.

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that:

• Applications and CVs written in English will be accepted and;
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted;
• Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

More information about Plan International can be found on http://plan-international.org

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Apply here