Program Coordinator – Forum of Federations

Job Description:

The Forum of Federations is an international learning organization, based in Canada, working on federal and devolved governance across the globe (see — www.forumfed.org). The Forum works very closely with government institutions and non-state actors such as political parties, academics, media, professional and business associations, and other civil society organizations.

The Forum has partnered with the recently-formed Multistakeholder Initiative for National Dialogue Ethiopia (MIND-Ethiopia), a consortium of eight national organizations from across the political spectrum that have joined forces to facilitate and lead an inclusive, participatory, nation-wide process of national dialogue to help address the myriad complex crises facing the nation. FOF’s role in this initiative is to support MIND by providing the consortium with project and fund management services and advice.

The Forum is looking for an experienced Program Coordinator to lead our engagement in this project, which is funded by multiple donor agencies. In support of the independent MIND structures, the Program Coordinator will lead a small staff of professionals in assisting MIND in all aspects of program management, including the full range of human resources, financial management, M&E, donor relations, planning, coordination, etc., as needed to support MIND in meeting their objectives within the scope of mutually-agreed project document(s) and donor agreements.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Ensure the development and implementation of all required finance and program management systems necessary to support MIND and its structures (Secretariat, Board, Assembly etc.) in meeting its objectives and other mutual commitments set out in program documents and donor agreements;
• Ensure the effective management of the project (panning, monitoring, reporting, etc) as per international standards, the Forum’s internal policies, rules and procedures, as well as terms and conditions set in the project documents and as additionally decided by the relevant project structures;
• Assist the coordination of fund mobilization efforts to finance the project activities within the MIND governance structure;
• Ensure RBM principles are embedded in the management of the project including in the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities;
• With MIND counterparts, develop and review work plans and regular project reports, assign work to team members, and monitoring project activities;
• Initiate and maintain effective coordination, relations and partnership with key stakeholders;
• Monitor and report on the progress of project implementation, results and financial situation;
• Assess regularly the project risks and recommend risk management strategies;
• Lead project review, evaluation, audit and closure activities;
• Ensure effective supervision and administration of all project staff;
• Perform any other functions required to discharge his/her project coordination responsibilities and the achievement of results.

Employment Type: Full time (1 year with possible extension)

Salary: Competitive remuneration and benefits package

Required Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 12 years work experience in program coordination/management of which at least five years should be related to complex, multi-stakeholder program management;
• Extensive experience and expertise in program design and management in all dimensions: legal, governance, planning, finance and human resources, reporting, M&E, gender equality, results based management, theory of change, etc.;
• Extensive direct experience in managing projects funded by international donor agencies;
• Post-graduate degree in public administration, public policy, law, related social science or other relevant field;
• Proven capacity to coordinate and maintain strong working relationships among multiple stakeholders in a sensitive and complex context;
• Thorough understanding of legal and regulatory requirements for international agencies operating in Ethiopia, including but not limited to relevant labor, tax and other obligations;
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills, aimed at coordinating interests of multiple parties and helping achieve results;
• Demonstrate understanding of the complex nature of Ethiopia’s conflicts and governance challenges;
• Strong commitment to and understanding of gender equality, its role in achieving program objectives via GE mainstreaming and other established GE programming tools;
• High proficiency in English (writing and speaking), including capacity to make oral and written reports to international agencies.