Project Manager – CHANGE -Borena, Ethiopia

Job Summary: 

The CHANGE Project Manager heads the project management and represents HELVETAS Ethiopia in the implementation of the project at zonal level and contributes as member of HELVETAS Ethiopia to the organization’s learning in the thematic area of Skills Development and Education (SDE), provides coordination and technical support to the consortium partner GPDI and the various governmental departments at zonal level, provides a member of the Consortium Program Coordination Committee (PCC) support to the implementation of the “Improving Access to Education in Ethiopia for Most Marginalized Girls Program” implemented by consortium partners under the over all responsibility of PIN.

Main Tasks: 

Lead the Project Management: 

• Regard to the operational implementation of the Change Borena project in line with the Annual Plan of Operation and along the principles of project cycle management.
• Facilitate and coordinate with the Program Lead (PIN) the implementation of the tasks especially assigned to HELVETAS Ethiopia as partner in the Consortium.
• Prepare consolidated Annua Plan of Operation (APO) for the activities at zonal level.
• Assume responsibility for all HR related matters of the project team, including recruitment, work planning and performance management and review.
• Provide the respective financial information to PD.
• Support the HELVETAS accountant within the PMU.

Coordination with the Technical Assistance to GPID and governmental units in the zone: 

• Facilitate and coordinate with GPDI the implementation of the assigned component of the Change Borana project along the principles of project cycle management and the elaborated APO.
• Provide, or ensure the provision of, TA to GPDI within the framework of the approved APO and in the technical fields of skills development.
• Facilitate and coordinate with various governmental offices, but in particular with the Zonal Education Development Office as well as with Zonal Pastoral Development Office and the Zonal Cooperatives Development Office, the implementation of the Change Borana Project along the principles of project cycle management and the elaborated APO.
• Provide TA to various governmental offices, but in particular to the Zonal Education and Cooperatives Development Office (ZPDO) as lead office, within the framework of the  approved APO and in the technical fields of basic education and skills development as well as job creation and employment.

Coordination with the support of the Consortium Program Coordination Committee: 

• Interact closely with the PIN Program Coordinator in respective technical fields.
• Interact closely with the PIN Finance Manager in budget control and accountabilities.
• Participate in and contribute to the Program Coordination meetings and assume cross- consortium thematic tasks at national level.
• Contribute to visibility and positioning of the Consortium Program under the DFID Girls’ Education Challenge.

Knowledge Management: 

• Facilitate and coordinate with the Program Directorate (PD), especially the GES Coordinator and the SDE task team, on the elaboration and dissemination of knowledge products (documentation of experiences & lessons learnt in various forms).
• Produce Skills Development, Job creation and Partnership Development, etc, related reports and other evidence-based inputs and/or documents if and when required by HELVETAS Ethiopia or its Head Office in CH.

Responsibilities: Derived from the overall targets

• Ensure the Change project is implemented at zonal level in line with the Project Document and the Partnership Agreement with PIN.
• Ensure that PD is informed about the project progress and any special, important matters.
• As representative of the organization, ensure that the collaboration among the project partners (both GO and NGO) functions well and project implementation is in line with the APO.
• Ensure that the partners enjoy TA in the designated technical fields.
• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration amongst the partners (both GO and NGO) in the project.
• Maintain effective and accountable relations with the prime partner in the program.
• Effectively contribute to thematic and policy activities of the consortium.
• Ensure that experiences and lessons learnt out of the project are well documented.
• Ensure that technical information are up-to-date and internally as well as externally disseminated.

Qualification, Experience and Competency: 

• First Degree or above in Education, Development Cooperation, Development Studies or relevant field of study from a recognized University or college.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in development cooperation; of which 3 years project management.
• Track record in gender, girls empowerment and education.
• Sound knowledge and experience in PCM including outcome-based M&E systems.
• Proven track record in conceptualization, piloting and implementing projects/programs in a multi-stakeholder and community-based development approach.
• Proven record in knowledge management and documentation.
• Conflict/context sensitive project management skill.
• Knowledge on skills development strategies and methodologies.
• experience in pastoral development dynamics.
• Strong motivator, facilitator and mentor/coach
• Good reporting and writing skills
• Result-oriented personality meeting deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural competencies and sensitivity
• Eager to learn and fill gaps where needed
• Shares and promotes the values and development concept of HELVETAS Ethiopia
• Motivated, persuasive individual showing judgement by recognizing and setting priorities
• Well-developed negotiation, facilitation, advisory, mediation and mentoring competencies
• Capable and willing to live, work and travel in difficult conditions
• Fluent in English and Oromifa languages.
• Good practice in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other appropriate information technologies.