BACKGROUND

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 an Education Project Manager for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative to increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda. This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.

Education Project Manager will be responsible to effectively lead a team of professionals and deliver high quality programming and results for the project“Play Matters” in Afar, Benishangul Gumuz and Gambella.

The Education Project Manager will be responsible and ultimately accountable for Legos Play Matters project’s quality EIE and ECCD programming and results achievement, program area financial management and compliance, program area team leadership, stakeholder and partner relations, and donor deliverables. Gender sensitive 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 Gameblla, Afar and Assosa for approximately 70% of the time.

Accountabilities

Project Leadership and Management: Lead high quality 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 and managing complex grants is essential. 

Expected Outcomes:

• Overall budget and technical responsibility for the development and implementation of the LEGO Play Matters project
• Ensures management systems and processes consistent with program quality needs
• Develop steps and procedures in the planning and implementation of the project
• Knowledge of detailed project implementation and procurement plans are updated and openly communicated on a monthly basis in line with the project progress and results, ensuring that activities are in line with budget lines and limitations
• 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.
• Effective monitoring and evaluation system, tools and processes are developed for measuring the results of the project, and project data is collected, and validated by and shared with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure program strategies in gender equality and women’s empowerment are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities, and adhere to best practices in the sector. 

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

 Expected Outcomes:

• Provide strategic oversight over Plan international Ethiopia and partner activities through open communication, agreement on roles and responsibilities, and joint planning and review sessions,
• Foster strong coordination and collaboration with women’s organizations through open and transparent communication, participation and joint decision-making, and respect for their agency and technical expertise.
• Cultivate a positive relationship with the donor agency (Lego Foundation) in Ethiopia and relevant government departments.
• Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming,
• Work with program staff and technical advisors to identify the technical support needs of the project and ensure this support is provided,
• National Project Steering Committee, Regional Technical Advisory Committee, and Project Management Team meetings are organized and facilitated as per the project work plan, and
• Ensure best practices and lessons learned are properly documented, shared and integrated into consecutive years programming.

Team Leadership: Lead and manage a team of professionals 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 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.
• 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. 

Key Relationships

The Project Lead will be responsible for ensuring the productive and functional relationships with the project team, implementing partners, government departments, beneficiaries and stakeholders, Lego Foundation-Ethiopia office, and the wider Plan International Ethiopia and Plan International Denmark teams.  

Job Requirements

Skills, Knowledge and Behaviors Required

Skills and Knowledge

• Academic Qualification BA/MA in Education or other related social science fields.
• Proven experience (minimum 10 years for BA & 7 years for MA) in leading international education projects that delivered high quality programming and gender transformative results, preferably in an Emergency setting
• Experience in complex emergencies or post-conflict settings, with experience working in a difficult security environment.
• Working knowledge of Child Protection and Education in Emergencies programming.
• 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.  
• Familiarity with Lego Foundation guidelines and requirements.
• Knowledge of the Minimum Standards (MS for EiE; MS for CP in Humanitarian Action; Inter-Agency Guideline on Mental Health & Psycho-social Support) and experience in active participation on key coordination forums.
• Experience leading cross-functional and remote teams to deliver results.
• 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).

Behaviors

• 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.

Physical Environment and Demands

This post holder will be stationed in the Country Office in Addis Ababa with regular travel (approximately 70% of time) to Afar, Gambella and Assosa Regions.

Level of Contact with Children

Responsibilities of this job require a low level of contact with children. Plan International’s global policy on safeguarding children and young people will be adhered to at all times.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.

·       Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is October 8, 2020. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the below link.

https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=38771&company=PlanInt

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 organization, 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 organization, 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.