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 80 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.

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International Ethiopia is looking for a Project Lead to effectively lead a team of professionals and deliver high quality programming and results for a project titled “Women’s Voice and Leadership - Ethiopia”. The project will support local women’s organizations with grants and capacity development to strengthen their organizational development, programming and advocacy, and sustainability. It will further support collaboration and collective action to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The project will be implemented in the four regions of Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR). 

Dimensions of the Role

The Project Lead will be responsible and ultimately accountable for project’s strategic direction, quality programming and results achievement, financial management and compliance, team leadership, stakeholder and partner relations, and donor deliverables. Feminist principles of collaboration, participation, transparency and respect for the agency of women’s organizations will be integrated in all aspects of this role. The post-holder will be based in Addis Ababa yet travel to the project locations in Amhara, Oromia and SNNPR for approximately 30% of their time.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Leadership and Management: Lead high quality, feminist and results-oriented program planning, implementation and reporting in compliance with donor and government agreements. A strong understanding of project cycle management, results-based management, feminist principles, and grant disbursement processes is essential. 

Synergy, Communication and Coordination: Foster and maintain productive and professional relationships with and between all project stakeholders, particularly with local women’s organizations. 

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

Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant implementation standards and guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct, their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.  

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong understanding of feminist principles, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.
  
• Academic Qualification BA/MA in Project Management, Gender Studies, or other related social science fields.
• Proven experience (minimum 10 years for BA & 7 years for MA) in leading complex development projects that delivered high quality programming and gender transformative results. 
• Progressive experience working for INGOs in increasingly senior level management positions.
• Proven experience in directly managing a diverse team including technical and finance staff ensuring high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.   
• Strong understanding of feminist monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools and approaches.
• Demonstrable experience managing multimillion-dollar institutional grants through donors such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, DFID and European Union. 
• Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.
• Strong experience in partnership management and aptitude for cultivating strong relationships with multiple stakeholders including women’s organizations, government, and donors.
• Experience leading cross-functional and remote teams to deliver results.
• Ability to establish priorities in a time sensitive environment, track project performance, 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.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).
  

Behaviours

• Passion for feminist principles, 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.
• Proven leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate teams.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.