Project Manager (PM) -“Roots of Future” Project

Introduction

In the framework of the project funded by the Commission for International Adoptions (CAI), the Project Coordinator will oversee and ensure the effective implementation of a multi-regional initiative spanning 18 months (upon approval). The project operates across three key regions in Ethiopia: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa City Administration, and Amhara Region (Dessie), applying an integrated approach to address critical vulnerabilities affecting children, youth, and families.

Organization

CIFA is an international NGO with over 40 years of experience in protecting vulnerable children and youth. Active in Ethiopia for more than 20 years, CIFA promotes access to quality education, child protection, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive livelihoods. Through its integrated approach, CIFA has developed strong expertise in managing multi-sectoral projects, linking institutional support with grassroots socio-economic inclusion across Addis Ababa, Amhara, Dire Dawa, Harari, and Oromia.

Project

The 18-month CAI-funded project is a multi-regional and multi-country initiative designed to intervene deeply in three core interconnected sectors: Child Protection, Education, and Preventing Irregular Migration. Operating simultaneously in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Dessie (Amhara), the project aims to strengthen local protection mechanisms, enhance access to inclusive education, and mitigate the root causes of irregular migration by fostering sustainable socio-economic alternatives and raising community awareness.

Position

Project Manager (PM)

Duration Contract

From the start date until December 2026 , renewable subject to performance and project needs contract with a 60-day probation period and the possibility of extension.

Location

Addis Ababa: Flexible/Multi-regional coordination role (covering Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Dessie-Amhara).

Key Tasks

1. Project management and Implementation

• Lead and oversee the planning, implementation, and daily monitoring of project activities across all target implementation areas.Develop, regularly update, and execute detailed Plans of Action (POAs), ensuring close monitoring of progress against targets.
• Ensure all activities are rigidly implemented in line with approved work plans, donor regulations, timelines, and budgets.
• Identify implementation delays or deviations across the three regions proactively, and independently design and execute immediate corrective actions to secure project milestones.

  2. Team Supervision

• Supervise, manage, and provide day-to-day guidance to project staff and technical experts, including education and protection officers on the field.
• Foster and ensure effective communication, synergy, and collaboration among team members spread across different geographical areas.
• Monitor staff performance in relation to assigned tasks and project timelines, conducting regular evaluations and reporting directly to the Program Manager.

  3. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary focal point for the ‘Roots of Future’ project, managing institutional relations and communication with local authorities, line ministries, and key stakeholders across the 3 target regions (Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Dire Dawa).
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with local communities, beneficiaries, and implementing partners to facilitate smooth project execution and community ownership.
• Lead the organization of official project events, workshops, launch ceremonies, and steering committee meetings, ensuring all regional stakeholders are effectively engaged.

  4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Oversee the implementation of the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, ensuring data collection tools are consistently used by field teams to track progress against indicators.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to Amhara and Dire Dawa to verify the quality of activities, troubleshoot operational challenges, and ensure compliance with donor standards.
• Lead the drafting and consolidation of high-quality narrative and technical reports (interim and final) according to donor templates and deadlines, coordinating closely with the Program Manager and the financial department.
• Ensure proper documentation and archiving of all project multi-media materials, human-interest stories, and means of verification (MoVs) across all three regions.

  5. Financial and Operational Support

• Support the monitoring of budget implementation in coordination with the Program Manager
• Ensure that project activities are aligned with available resources and approved budgets

  6. Field Activities

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation and provide operational support to project staff
• Ensure quality and consistency of activities at field level

  7. Project Development Support

• Identify and analyze emerging trends, systemic challenges, and funding opportunities in the development sector within the 3 target regions (Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Dire Dawa).
• Provide strategic inputs, lessons learned, and data-driven recommendations to the Program Manager for project adaptation, scale-up, and future programming.
• Contribute to the formulation of new project proposals, concept notes, and strategic frameworks for CAI in Ethiopia.

  8. Other Duties

• Perform any other relevant duties or operational tasks assigned by the Program Manager or the Country Representative, in alignment with the project’s objectives.

Remuneration

The employee’s Gross Salary will be € 1,241.84 [One thousand Two Hundred forty one Euro and 84 cents] based on the salary scale of the Organization (Grade 7 -Step 1) and will be paid at the end of each month to the employee’s bank account.

This gross salary included monthly transport allowance and 11% pension fund as per the law of the Country and medical & life insurance as per the policy CIFA

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Education, International Cooperation, Development Studies, Psychology, Project Management, or a related field.
• Master’s Degree (Asset): A Master’s degree or postgraduate specialization in Humanitarian Project Management, Child Rights, or Migration Studies is considered a strong asset.

Experience

• Years of Experience: At least 4–6 years of progressive professional experience in project coordination and management within International NGOs (INGOs).
• Multi-Regional Coordination: Proven track record of managing and synchronizing project activities simultaneously across multiple geographical locations (direct knowledge of the contexts in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Dessie/Amhara is highly valued).
• Sectoral Expertise:
  • Hands-on experience in Child Protection programs (case management, referral pathways, and strengthening local child protection networks).
  • Direct experience in Education interventions (inclusive education, school support, and teacher capacity building).
  • Demonstrated experience in addressing Irregular Migration (community awareness campaigns, behavioral change communication, and creating socio-economic alternatives for youth).
• Team Leadership: Solid experience in leading, mentoring, and managing multidisciplinary field teams distributed across different offices.
• Donor & Authority Liaison: Extensive experience in engaging and coordinating with regional and zonal government line bureaus (e.g., Bureau of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Bureau of Education) and familiarity with institutional reporting requirements.

Skills

• Project & Team Coordination: Strong skills in managing, mentoring, and organizing multi-disciplinary field teams across multiple regions.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Excellent interpersonal and networking skills to collaborate with regional and zonal government bureaus, community leaders, and local partners.
• Technical Knowledge: Solid understanding of child protection tracking, inclusive education frameworks, and community-based behavioral change methodologies.
• Reporting & Analysis: Proven ability to consolidate data, monitor key performance indicators, and draft clear narrative reports for institutional donors.
• Sensitivity & Inclusion: High sensitivity to child rights, gender equity, and protection issues in diverse cultural contexts.

Languages:

• English: Fluency in written and spoken English is required (essential for international reporting and donor compliance).
• Amharic: Fluency in Amharic is mandatory.
• Local Languages (Asset): Knowledge of regional languages spoken in Amhara or Dire Dawa is considered a strong asset.

Other Requirements:

• Software Proficiency: Excellent command of MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and remote collaboration platforms (Teams, Zoom).
• Mobility: Strong willingness and flexibility to travel frequently between Addis Ababa, Dessie (Amhara), and Dire Dawa as required by project activities.