Project Manager-Ending Child Labour Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Opportunity

Save the Children International is inviting applications from suitably qualified personnel to fill the position of Project Manager. The The Project Manager is responsible and accountable for effective and efficient planning, implementation and management of the EU JOFA ACTE Project.  She/he will lead the development and implementation of Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs) and Work plans for the project, project reporting, budget & partnership management and capacity building of SCI project staff reporting to her/him, relevant government partners at both national and district level and implementing and strategic partners staff for the project as necessary. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Program Planning

Overall the Project Manager – working in close coordination with the Senior Area Operations Manager (AOM), relevant Senior Technical Advisors, consortium partners, and relevant government departments, will be responsible for providing operational leadership to the planning and implementation of the project,

Manage the performance of the Ending Child labour project whose main objective is to “Contribute to the reduction of child labour targeting its worst forms” in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mali, and Malawi in line with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2025. He/She will ensure adherence to overall technical and programmatic quality in implementation, compliance with donor rules and regulations, and the timely and quality submission of all deliverables, including annual work plans, performance monitoring plans, reports as required.

Specifically, the Project Manager will:

Program planning, implementation and management

• Lead the process of development, review and implementation of the Detailed Implementation Plan and  Annual, Quarterly and Monthly work plans for the program, working in close collaboration with the Senior Area Operations & Humanitarian Manager, Senior Technical Advisors and other key program staff and stakeholders.
• Strengthen capacity of implementing partners especially recognized government structures and district teams in the development and implementation of work plans, ensuring that delivery of activities is conducted in accordance with agreed plans, quality benchmarks and approved budget.
• Works closely with the Senior Manager and Supply Chain Unit to develop annual project procurement plans, ensuring that subsequent procurement adheres to the plans and is carried out in a timely manner and in accordance with the budget and required specifications
• Ensure quality submission of the programme operations Annual Plan with the respective phased Budget aligned with the DIP, attachments (RIPT, PIT, SIP), and a Procurement Plan before the CO set deadline.
• Attend and execute/follow through actions as results from planning, review, and reflection meetings with the STWG/member office representative or CO organized.
• Share regular program updates with the AOM and STAs
• Develop timely and quality quarterly and annual work plans and reports shared with Senior Manager.
• Monitor the project activities to ensure quality, timeliness, and adherence to both CO and international Save the Children policies and procedures.
• Ensure the timely reviews and adjustments for the project operational and implementation plans and budgets as may be required from time to time.
• Ensure that you attend all meetings as agreed upon by the project consortium members.

Budgeting and Financial Management

Responsible for the project’s financial and budgetary management. This responsibility includes;

• Development of quality and timely project-phased budget aligned with the DIP (repeated for emphasis). This includes budget management/holding.
• Responsible for monitoring and initiating necessary revision of the project budget and ensuring that funds are used optimally and accounted for in accordance with the approved budget.
• Actively leads in the monthly BVA (Budget Variance Analysis) reviews in collaboration with the Senior Area Operations & Humanitarian Manager, Awards Coordinator, and Budget and Reporting Coordinator with the responsibility of effectively managing the project.
• Monitors and approves all budgeted project expenditures, ensuring spend is done according to the approved plan working closely with the Awards Coordinator to ensure expenses are charged on appropriate charge codes, the program operates within the approved budget, and that expenditure variances are minimized.
• Ensure that all SCI staff and partners implementing project activities follow all financial policies and regulations relating to cash flow management, expenditure controls, and advance management as put in place for the management and control of funds.
• Monitor and alert management to any financial mismanagement, which may arise in the course of project implementation.
• Financial management – Ensure excellent financial management and accountability in line with SCI policy guidelines.

Project Reporting and Documentation

• Ensure that appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems are established (including impact evaluation) and that award documentation is comprehensive (electronic to incorporate learning into programming).
• Ensure there is upward and downward accountability, assessment of how knowledge and skills on key project issues are acquired and applied by SC staff, and other key stakeholders, and provision of necessary support.
• Ensure that project learning is built into the project cycle and shared with the Technical Advisors, implementation team, and Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Works closely with the MEAL staff to ensure project achievements, case studies, lessons learned, and success stories are well documented in the project.
• In close collaboration with the MEAL team, coordinates accurate data collection and monitoring of the project activities.
• Lead in the preparation and submission of timely and high-quality monthly progress and Bi-Annual and Annual narrative reports which are in accordance with the donor-reporting schedule.
• Organize and facilitate quarterly reflection and progress review meetings to address key performance issues from the reports.
• Ensure that issues raised in the reports are comprehensively addressed in a timely manner
• On a monthly basis Identify potential risks and threats to the project and alert management on the same for action.

Advocacy, Networking, and Representation

• Lead in all national (in collaboration with consortium members), district, and community-level advocacy efforts.
• Attend and represent the country during all scheduled consortium meetings and report accordingly to all relevant authorities.
• Work closely with all relevant structures at the national, district, and community levels, networks, and other non-governmental organizations to ensure synergy between the project and other partners.
• Build strategic networks, coalitions, and alliances on EU JOFA – ACTE advocacy issues.
• In collaboration with AOM, the MEAL team document lessons and learnings from programming and advocacy engagements.

Team Performance Management

The Project Manager is expected to:

• Ensure that all staff under your jurisdiction have clear job descriptions, understand, and are able to perform their role.
• Manage team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• When necessary ensure the recruitment and training of staff as appropriate and ensure the availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
• Manage the performance of all staff in the project by assessing and determining staff capacity development needs necessary to improve operations and providing appropriate staff development support; including management of poor performance.
• Incorporate staff development strategies into the team building process and ensure staff are able to perform their expected duties.
• Ensure team members comply with Save the Children policies and procedures with specific respect to (Child) Safeguarding, Code of Conduct, Zero Tolerance Policies, and other relevant policies.
• Encourage the culture and practice of learning, creativity, and innovation amongst the staff.
• Maintain good team communication and objectivity engender good team dynamics, and take remedial actions when problems occur.
• Ensure that new team members and visitors are adequately oriented on the project’s implementation, and stakeholder relations.

In order to be successful you will bring/have:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, or any related discipline.
• Certificate or any additional qualification in project management is an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• At least 6 years of working experience in managing development programmes at a manager or senior level is highly recommended.
• Demonstrable experience having worked on a multi-faceted project, especially with a bias toward the elimination of child labour.
• Strong agriculture, and social work background with demonstrable skills in conducting key processes e.g. CP and GBV/SEA case management, Child re-integration case management, Psychological First Aid, CP risk and vulnerability assessments, system strengthening
• Minimum of 3 years of working experience in child labour elimination and livelihood-related interventions including in humanitarian emergency responses.
• Experience working in consortium set-up, strategic level coordination and advocacy, and other behavior and social change communication approaches.
• Experience working with national-level stakeholders including government ministries and departments, local partners, and District Local Government in Child Protection program delivery. This includes advocacy.
• Demonstrable financial, planning, and budget management skills a MUST.
• Thorough understanding of SCI working principles and approaches of Child Participation, Child Rights Programming, Partnership, Child Safeguarding, Zero Tolerance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Programme Integration, etc. would be an added advantage.
• Ability to intervene with crisis management or troubleshooting as necessary.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Excellent time management and planning capacity
• Excellent planning, coordination and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
• Computer literacy, excellent communication, and documentation skills are a must.

Location: Lilongwe

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

ABOUT US

The Organization

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
•  All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
•  Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.