Project Coordinator | Addis Ababa

Position: Project Coordinator

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Reporting to: Head of Program

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish international aid organization. We operate in 12 countries, where the needs are most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background, or political convictions. FCA work is based on promotion of human dignity and fundamental human rights and freedom, and FCA’s operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination, and responsibility. FCA Ethiopia Country Office has been established in 2022 working in livelihood, education and peace sectors.

Primary purpose of the position:

The Project Coordinator reports directly to the Head of Program the Project Coordinator is responsible for ensuring quality planning, implementation and reporting of FCA’s BRIGHT Project; collaboration with, and oversight of, the co-implementation partner; and broader FCA programming in Ethiopia. The role includes external representation and engagement with various country stakeholders, donors and is required to undertake frequent field visits to current and potentially new project locations.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and with the involvement of the partner and concerned stakeholders at all levels, through planned and regular data collection, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Ensure project activities are implemented in the most efficient, effective, accountable and sustainable manner, including timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of targets, outcomes and outputs achieved.
• Ensure proper financial management in line with FCA guidelines, and reporting.
• Ensure that the project aligns with both FCA and Ethiopia Government and line ministry specific education, safeguarding and child protection guidelines and policies.
• Travel to all project sites to conduct regular monitoring of projects quality together with other project team members.
• Work closely with, and mentor and assist, the local partner in planning, execution and delivery of allocated project activities, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
• Ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to FCA standards and compliance rules, best project management practices are promoted, and overall quality assurance of the project is provided.

Strategic program development

• Ensure that lessons learned, good practices, challenges, and general tendencies, contextual analysis and recommendations are documented and shared with the CD, Regional Project Manager and ETCO support team for strong establishment and institutionalization of FCA in Ethiopia
• Ensure that lessons learned, good practices, challenges, and general tendencies, contextual analysis and recommendations are documented and shared with the CD, Regional Project Manager and ETCO support team for strong establishment and institutionalization of FCA in Ethiopia
• Explore funding opportunities and prepare project and donor proposals, plans and budgets in collaboration with the CD, Regional Project Manager and ETCO support team
• Lead a large-scale joint Multi-Sector Needs Assessment in various locations of Ethiopia to guide future FCA programming
• Submit critical programme and administrative issues, risks, plans and recommendations to the CD and ETCO support team, in order to drive future process improvement and program development planning, working closely with the CD and relevant FCA global thematic advisers.

External relations and representation

• Ensuring strong engagement in national and local development processes, ensuring sustainability of the programme approach, visibility and exposure of FCA, and strong cooperation with local government and local thematic actors.
• Represent FCA in external fora, including but not limited to, Education Cluster Meetings, Inter-Agency meetings, donor consultations and bilateral meetings, local and national level governmental meetings and others
• Any other duty assigned by the Head Of Program or designate

Responsibilities and independence (please choose the most suitable option)

• Problem solution is based on experience, combining different factors. Work is done according to task-related and general instructions.
• Problem solution requires selecting independently between different methods. Work is mainly done according to general instructions, and it may include fact-finding and group responsibility.
• Problem solution requires finding solutions independently. Work is done mainly independently according to goals, plans and general instructions, and it may include financial and supervisory responsibility.
• Problem solution requires an ability to independently search for, select and combine existing information in a novel way. Work is based on plans and the position holder’s expert status, and it may include responsibility for operations, finances or personnel.
• The tasks require independency and sometimes responsibility in preparing problem solutions and also making decisions. The position holder works as a specialist of a sub-sector of function. The work may include demanding responsibility for operations, finances or personnel.
• The tasks require independent and responsible management of a totality of resolutions. The position holder acts as a leading or responsible expert of a functional entirety. The work includes special responsibility of functions, finances and personnel.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Project management, business or related field as well as professional certification.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in working in development and humanitarian program related field operation or field activities in developing countries
• Knowledge of and experience with Education, including teacher training and Accelerated Education/Learning Programme, ideally both in development contexts and Education in Emergencies in Ethiopia
• Experience with livelihoods programming, specifically TVET, and Durable Solutions is an advantage
• Proven experience and capacity in project/programme management, proposal and programme development for key donors, and project financial management
• Flexible and capable of working and living in difficult circumstances in a multicultural environment
• Detailed and thorough understanding of the operational refugee, IDP and returnee context in Ethiopia and other relevant stakeholders
• Experience in cooperating with local government, international actors and UN agencies
• Excellent inter-personal and inter-cultural skills
• Ability to travel/frequent field visits to all FCA project areas and produce quality monitoring field reports
• This role is a national position