Project Management Specialist

About the Company

Youth and Cultural Development Foundation (YCDF) is a non-profit organization established in 2013 by youth leaders and social entrepreneurs in Ethiopia. YCDF is dedicated in empowering young people through skills development, entrepreneurship, employment creation, and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

Employment Type: Full-Time

Contract Duration: One (1) year, with possible extensions based on performance and availability of grants/budget.

Duty station: Addis Ababa

Report to: Executive Director

Position Summary

The Project Management Specialist is responsible for managing the organization’s financial, administrative, and project management functions to ensure efficient and compliant implementation of programmes. The position supports financial planning, budgeting, grant management, procurement, administration, and project coordination while ensuring compliance with organizational policies, donor regulations, and national laws.

Responsibilities

A. Financial Management

• Prepare annual budgets, project budgets, and financial forecasts.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and financial documentation.
• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with donor financial regulations and organizational policies.
• Support internal and external financial audits.

B. Project Management

• Support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of projects.
• Develop project work plans, implementation schedules, and budgets.
• Track project progress and ensure timely completion of activities.
• Prepare technical and financial reports for management and donors.
• Coordinate communication with project partners, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Identify implementation risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with donor agreements and reporting requirements.

C. Compliance and Organizational Support

• Ensure compliance with Ethiopian laws, donor regulations, and organizational policies.
• Strengthen internal controls and financial accountability systems.
• Support the development of organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial and organizational information.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Project Management, Economics, or a related field.
• A master’s degree are an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, or 7 years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a master’s degree.
• At least 4 years of the required experience must have been gained at the Specialist or Manager level.
• Experience managing donor-funded projects (e.g., Mastercard Foundation, USAID, GIZ, EU, UN Agencies) is highly desirable.

Required Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Project planning and coordination
• Financial management, budget preparation and monitoring
• Grant and donor compliance
• Procurement and contract management
• Risk management and internal controls
• Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Peachtree, Sage)

Core Competencies

• Excellent organizational and planning abilities
• High level of integrity, accountability, and confidentiality
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Teamwork and stakeholder engagement
• Attention to detail and accuracy

Salary and Benefits

• As per the organization scale
• Performance-based incentives.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Other company benefits in accordance with company policy