Project Coordinator (roster-based vacancy)

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Why we need you?

We’re building a pool of great candidates for upcoming roles- come join the roster!

What we provide? 

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

POSITION SUMMARY 

• The Project Coordinator leads the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the family strengthening Project’s activities, in accordance with the organisational standards and strategies.

General aim of the position

• Lead the planning of the family strengthening Project in line with the organisation’s mission, policies, strategies and available resources.
• Coordinate the implementation of family strengthening Project activities.
• Build positive relationships with the community and/or local authorities.
• Build a strong network of partner organisations.
• Build and manage a strong Project team.
• Ensures that mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place and functioning well.

Cooperation and Reporting Relationships

• Work in close cooperation with other key support co-workers (e.g. financial and administrative staff) within the ‘integrated approach’.
• Foster good relationship and maintain close cooperation with local government authorities, recognised community leadership, like-minded groups, organisations and/or institutions operating with the local community, who share the organisation’s vision, as well as those who provide complementary services.
• Build a strong network of partner organisations.
• Lead and supervise the Project team.
• Represent the Project as well as the organisation at internal and external forums.

PRIORITY TASK AND RESPONSIBLITY 

Lead the planning of the family strengthening Project

1. Carry out a feasibility study or up-date existing information for starting a family strengthening Project in a particular community ensuring participation of key stakeholders.
2. Identify key stakeholders including the local government, community-based partners and Project participants and ensure their active participation in the Project design and implementation putting a particular emphasis on child participation.
3. Draw-up an initial action plan based on the findings from the feasibility study, followed by annual plans with concrete Project activities based on the analysis findings and in line with the organisations mission, policies, strategic priorities and available resources.
4. Identify local funding sources and apply for grants and other forms of local income, such as donations in kind and government subsidies.

Coordinate the implementation of Project activities 

1. Lead the implementation of Project activities with partners according to the objectives, actions and time frames outlined in the annual plan and joint action plan.
2. Ensure that the Project operates in accordance with the organisation’s policies and procedures.
3. Ensure that a proper Project intake process for children and their families is implemented through an initial assessment process and the systematic prioritisation of cases in collaboration with key stakeholders involved in the management/coordination of the Project.
4. Coordinate the development of a comprehensive Project service package according to the findings in the initial assessment. Capacity-building of all participating families towards self-reliance is supported through the implementation of a family development planning process.
5. Support capacity-building of Project implementation partners (can be community-based organisations or structures, self-help groups, local NGOs or local authorities) to ensure the long-term sustainability of service delivery and ongoing development of the Project in future.
6. Build a strong network of partner organisations. Where appropriate formalise these partnerships through Memorandum of Understandings (MOU).

 Build and manage positive relations with the community and/or local authorities

1. Build strong relationships with local government authorities, recognised community leadership, like-minded groups, organisations and/or institutions operating with the local community, who share the organisation’s vision, as well as those who provide complementary services.
2. Participate in governmental and/or community forums dealing with issues affecting children of our target group.
3. Build good relations with the local media (e.g. community radio), so child rights issues in general as well as the organisation’s mission and objectives can be promoted on a regular basis.

Build a strong Project team

1. Follow professional recruitment processes for new staff (draw-up advert, screening of applications, interviews, and reference checks) in consultation with direct superior.
2. Plan orientation Projects for new staff to ensure they have a good understanding of the organisation and their role within it.
3. Ensure effective performance management systems are implemented for all Project staff, including job descriptions, regular review sessions, and annual performance appraisal, in line with the required practices of the national association.
4. Ensure that individual staff/volunteer training and development needs are identified and that these are addressed through staff development measures, according to priorities and available resources.
5. Be a supportive and understanding superior, on whom staff and volunteers can depend. Build a culture of learning and openness amongst staff and volunteers.
6. Build a culture and understanding of and foster positive attitude towards working on community-based development issues and rights based approaches.

Financial management and administration of the Project

1. Ensure that the organisation’s financial resources are used modestly and efficiently.
2. Implement financial and administrative procedures, in line with policies/guidelines of the national association and in consultation with financial support staff.
3. Ensure all Project expenditure/resource usage is in line with the annual plan and budget. 

Establish mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Project

1. Put in place effective monitoring and evaluation plans and systems, on the basis of the international systems requirements, as a basis for ongoing monitoring, self-evaluation and external impact evaluation. These tools shall facilitate both quantitative and qualitative evaluation, using participatory approaches.
2. Provide direct superior with regular up-dates on Project activities and results, including regular written reports on a monthly/quarterly basis as required.

Contribute to the work of the broader organisation

1. Participate in local, national and regional processes, meetings and structures within the organisation as required and agreed with the direct superior.
2. Document and share good practices and lessons learned with colleagues to support organisational learning.
3. Prepare Project information as required for public relations and fund development purposes.
4. Keep track of child rights issues in general as well as current social development issues and trends relevant to the organisation’s mission.

Safeguarding:

• Responsible to take part in awareness raising sessions and capacity building training in relation to Safeguarding to prevent and protect children, young and adult people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
• Support children, young and adult people to make them understand the Safeguarding risks and protection mechanisms

Responsible to report any Safeguarding suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Safeguarding reporting procedures.   

Job Requirements

Up for the challenge...

Then check out our criteria’s:

Must Criteria 

• Degree or equivalent qualification in social sciences, development studies, community development or public administration.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in the field of social services or community development. Management experience will be an added advantage.

Desirable

• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent command of at least two local and/or national languages used in the country and good communication skills, including both written and verbal. Preferably fluent in the language(s) spoken in the programme’s target communities.
• Positive and professional approach: highly organised, able to work independently, using initiative and keeping commitments, leading a team
• Good knowledge of children’s rights.
• Awareness and understanding of social development issues including gender, education, health, HIV/AIDS, etc.
• Basic financial skills.
• Basic human resource development skills.
• Basic computer skills (Windows, Word, Excel)

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Understanding of child rights issues: knowledge in the area of child rights, child protection, child development and family & community development; knowledge of relevant local and national laws, regulations and protocols.
• People development: facilitation skills to build the capacities of families, children and partner organisations.
• Leadership: able to build effective teams, motivate high performance, and generate commitment to the programme goals.
• Communication & networking skills: ability to foster effective relationships with the key stakeholders of the programme including the local authorities, community leadership, partner organisations and participating families. Ability to represent the organisation externally.
• Collaboration: driven to work with others, able to build partnerships and networks internally and externally.
• Functional skills: financial management, HR management, project cycle management.

Lead Competencies

• Role Model: Act as a role model for the organization, living our values and inspiring and learning from others
• Collaboration: Remove barriers to participation, share decision making and build partnerships
• Empowerment: Promote inclusion and equitable sharing of power
• Strategic Thinking: Live the values and mission, setting realistic goals and translating them into actionable plans

Core Competency  

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others.
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary
• Results Orientation: look for solutions and focus on desired results

How to Apply

 – Lead and

Excited to take on a new Challenge...

Please ensure you complete these MANDATORY SCREENING QUESTIONS 

Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact details of their references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

Click to view our EVP Brochure

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, and police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.