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 “Play Matters”. The project has an ultimate outcome of contributing to the improvement of holistic learning outcomes, providing innovative solutions to removing key barriers to access pre-primary and primary education for children in targeted conflict prone regions of Afar, Benishangul Gumuz and Gambella. It will further support collaboration and collective action to advance ability of host governments and international communication to support play based pre and primary education service. 

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 Afar, Gambella, and Assosa for approximately 50% of the time.

Skills and Knowledge

• Academic Qualification BA/MA in Education Planning, Psychology, Project Management, Gender Studies, or other related social science fields.
• Proven experience (minimum 10 years for BA & 7 years for MA) in leading complex emergency projects prefer that delivered high quality programming and gender transformative results, preferably in an Emergency setting
• 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.  
• Demonstrable experience managing multimillion-dollar institutional grants through donors such as Lego Foundation, USAID, DFID and European Union. 
• Familiarity with Lego Foundation guidelines and requirements.
• 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).