Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries.

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International Ethiopia is looking for a PlayMatters Project Manager for a five-year project called “PlayMatters” and funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative, led by the PMs Project Lead, aimed at increasing 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.

The Project Manager Education will be responsible to effectively sub-lead a team of professionals and deliver high quality programming and results for the PMs project in Gambella, Afar and Benishangul Gumuz. He/She will be responsible and ultimately accountable for Legos PMs project’s quality EIE and ECCD programming and results achievement, stakeholder and partner relations, including government relations and deliverables.

The post-holder will be based in Addis Ababa yet will be expected to travel to the project locations in Gambella, Afar and Assosa for approximately 50% of the time.

Accountabilities

Project Leadership and Management: Sub-lead high quality and results-oriented program planning, implementation and reporting in compliance with donor and government agreements. Therefore, a strong understanding of project cycle management, results-based management and managing complex grants is essential.

Expected Outcomes:

• In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, overall technical responsibility for the development and implementation of the LEGO PMs project

• Ensures management systems and processes consistent with program quality needs

• Develop steps and procedures in the planning and implementation of the project

• In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, ensure compliance tools and frameworks are designed, implemented and maintained ensuring the project is consistently ready for audit,

• In collaboration with the Grants and Finance Manager as well as the PMs Project lead ensure 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 government bodies.

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

• In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, as well as the PMs Advocacy Advisor, foster strong coordination and collaboration with government bodies through open and transparent communication, participation and joint decision-making, and respect for their agency and technical expertise.

• In collaboration with the Technical leads, ensure 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,

Team Leadership: Sub-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.

• In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, ensure team members are mentored and coached to achieve their full potential and results of the project.

• 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 PMs Project Manager in collaboration with the PMs Project Lead will be responsible for ensuring the productive and functional relationships with the project team, implementing partners, government departments, beneficiaries and stakeholders, IRC Ethiopia office, and the wider Plan International Ethiopia and Plan International Denmark teams.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

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 projects – preferably education project - 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 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.

How to Apply

Register using the following LINK

Note: Female candidates are highly encouraged to Apply