ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International Ethiopia has designed a project entitled Strengthening of self-reliance, local integration and social cohesion of IDPs, returnees and host communities in Amhara region , which will contribute towards youth employment and decent work. The project will be implemented in Amhara region, namely four selected woredas: Chagni Town Admin, Guangua, Jawi, and Fageta Lekuma. The project aims at contributing to improved socioeconomic living conditions for both IDP and host communities and to strengthen the resilience and self-determination of young Ethiopians. In doing so, interventions will focus on promoting youth employment, and creation of decent livelihoods and employment opportunities as well as enhance access to quality health care, in particular Sexual Reproductive Health care services and supplies, and with that contribute to an overall improvement of the living situations for both host communities and IDP populations affected by migration and its socioeconomic impact.

The project will be implemented as a joint initiative by Plan International Ethiopia (PIE), Organisation for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA) and Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organisation (JeCCDO). 

The project will work on the supply and demand side with employers to ensure the needs of the private sector and the market at large are properly reflected in the training provided to the youth. In addition, the project will support young entrepreneurs in their endeavours both with technical skills building as well as financial means and foster peer exchange and support. The project will furthermore work towards enhancing knowledge and understanding of SRHR among young girls and the wider community and enhance access to facilities that are capacitated and adequately equipped to provide services and support around quality SRHR by ensuring with Country Strategic Plan. Close collaboration and cooperation with government stakeholder will form a key aspect of the project to ensure sustainability, ownership and accountability. 

The Project Manager will be in charge of overall coordination of the project under Plan International Ethiopia and implementing partners. The role will require to closely work with Plan International Ethiopia’s Technical Leads for SRHR and Youth Economic Empowerment to provide technical support to project implementing partners as well as eith Plan International Ethiopia respective project staffs, including Logistics, HR and Finance. The position will be based at the Plan International Ethiopia Regional Office in Bahir Dar.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall coordination of the project. He/she will serve as link between implementing partners, Plan International Ethiopia and Plan International Germany. The Project Manager will be responsible for development of deep and meaningful partnerships with the private sector as well as grassroots structures such as youth clubs to enhance the project’s outreach and intended impact. Simultaneously, he/she will in charge of building and/or maintaining links to, partnerships and networks with the government and relevant government bodies to enhance sustainability in the continuation of structures and mechanisms established under this project as well as that ensure evidence generated as a result of the project has the potential to scale and influence broader youth employment and SRHR strategies. The Project Manager will provide overall management, quality assurance for the project and technical support to the local partners.

The Project Manager will have the oversight over the project budget managed by Plan Ethiopia and the local partners, which amounts to approximately 2 Mio. €. The role includes the representation of the project at internal and external meetings, collaboration with GoE, Plan Germany, relevant networks, private sector and CBOs.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project design, planning, implementation and reporting (30%)

• Has the overall responsibility for project implementation including quality assurance, reporting, oversight of M&E activities and communications in line with the project proposal and donor agreement and regulations.
• Ensures quality of the project delivery at all levels of the project cycle management in line with the child centered community development approach.
• Effectively manages project resources including the timely utilization of the project funds. Prepares annual and quarterly implementation work plans and budgets for the project.
• Provides strategic, technical, and managerial guidance to the project team / local partners in collaboration with the SRHR and SOYEE Lead and Plan Germany. 
• Creates strategies for partnership building with GoE and relevant companies. Facilitates partnership building with GoE and private sector.
• Creates strategies for linking youth to vocational skill training institutions and to recruiting companies.
• Assists implementing partners and TVETs in designing and exciting tailored training that meet selected companies’ requirements and needs. Coordinates and supports selection of target beneficiaries in collaboration with the local government administration.
• Leads the technical design of project interventions and development of technical guidance and tools for regions / program area and implementing partner staff.
• Ensures community involvement in the conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
• Responsible to achieve a rights-based, gender transformative and inclusive project. Represents Plan at relevant stakeholder forums, consultative sessions, or conferences related to Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship.
• Ensures key stakeholders are kept informed of project activities as appropriate (e.g. donor, government authorities etc.).

Monitoring ,Evaluation, documentation(inclusive Knowledge Management) and dissemination (20%)

• Oversees monitoring of project implementation processes, coordinates evaluations (internal and government’s evaluations), shares learnings and documents best practices; ensures project learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely.
• Prepares and submits periodic narrative and financial reports in a timely manner according to Plan International and donor requirements and timeline
• In collaboration with the other Influencing, Partnership and Communication Department, prepares, documents and disseminates case studies and lessons learnt on best practices and project achievements.
• Ensures all project documentation is filed and organized for accountability purposes.
• Program integration and mainstreaming (15%)
• Mainstreams inclusion and gender in the project implementation.
• Ensures that Plan’s Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy is adhered to within the project and any child safety concerns are appropriately reported. 
• Mainstreams child centered community development approach & applies sponsorship commitments in the project cycle to achieve appropriate participation of stakeholders and help them play a leading rolls.
• Fosters collaboration and supports at program area level to develop plans for integrating project with other thematic areas and with other relevant NGO or GoE programs.

Partner development and strengthening (15%)

• Provides technical assistance and builds capacities of local partners in project management and in Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship.
• Provides high level guidance to field staff on smooth partnership management for enhanced project implementation.
• Ensures adequate stakeholder consultation and participation at all stages of the project implementation.
• Manages and monitors partnerships with implementing organizations, including their efficient utilization and timely accountability of funds allocated as appropriate.

Networking and representation (10%)

• Establishes partnerships and networks with NGOs, government bodies, forums and CBOs for cross learning, identification of lessons learned, best practices, resources mobilization and scaling-up to enhance project initiatives.
• Networks effectively with relevant stakeholders to draw information and knowledge for the development of project inputs and strategy development.
• Establishes deep and meaningful partnerships with the private sector to enhance youth’s experience of work.

Staff Development and Management (10%)

• Actively participates in country program team and project meetings in an open, cooperative and proactive manner and contribute towards ensuring smooth collaboration and coordination. 
• Ensures equal and fair opportunities and representation of both sexes and persons with disabilities in the program area.
• Organizes regular performance review meetings to assess progress and communicate any changes in strategy with the key project stakeholders.
• Builds the technical capacity of Plan International staff and community volunteers and also ensure optimum community involvement in the conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of the program. 
• Appraise field Project staff performances and ensure capacity building support is provided regularly.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct 

Job Requirements

Educational Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Economics, Business, Agriculture, SRH, Health Promotion & Communications, Development studies, Social Work, or related fields. 
• A minimum of five years of demonstrated success / experience in managing Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship projects, girls/youth targeted SRHR projects, which actively involve private sector.
• Previous experience of managing and developing a multi-disciplinary team including implementing partners.
• Experience in working with TVET centers, private and health sector in the context of Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship and SRHR projects.
• Experience in liaising and networking with local implementing partners.
• Experience in collaboration and partnerships with government sector at various levels, CSOs, private sector in the context of Youth Employment and Entrepreneurships projects.
• Good knowledge and experiences of market analysis and job placement.
• Experience in capacity building, training and facilitation skills in SRH,….
• Clear understanding of relevant government policies, strategies, programs and priorities related to youth employment, vocational/skill training and job placement.
• Project management experience.
• Entrepreneurial experience or experience in business incubators or start-up support would be an asset.
• Strong networking skills such as lobbying training centers, community and business community for potential employment opportunities.
• Good understanding of situation and challenges young people face in accessing employment and SRHR services (and knowledge)
• Proven experience in reviewing and mapping of technical training providers to determine quality of services, value-for-money, accreditation, and ability/willingness to serve young women.
• Experience in reviewing/developing technical training manuals and materials to ensure quality, relevance, and effectiveness
• Experience in the area of making young women employment-ready, and facilitate linkages between clients and employers

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge on Vocational Education, Economic Security, Job Placement, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship.
• Extensive knowledge of health policy, adolescent and youth health, SRH policies/strategies, minimum youth friendly service standards and packages, interface between gender transformation and SRH
• Understand organizational principles, systems and have the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at community level
• Understanding of integrated development issues, participatory approaches to development, child-rights programming, participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes preferred
• Proven knowledge of youth employment and entrepreneurship issues and contemporary practices in Ethiopia, Africa and across the world.
• Knowledge & understanding of Plan’s vision, mission values.

Desirable

• Conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Negotiation skills
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues 
• Have good writing and oral communication skills, including presentation.
• Understands budgetary processes including planning, monitoring and reporting. 
• Ability to provide team leadership and communicate effectively. 
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically 
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications

Competencies 

• Able to perform under stress.
• Team player.
• Agility.
• Innovativeness.
• Strong networking skills, able to build relationships.
• Able to communicate effectively, coach and mentor, facilitate change and develop teams.
• Strategic decision making, planning and organizing and a personal commitment to children’s development and protection.  

How to Apply

The closing date for the application in November 18, 2021. Qualified candidates should submit the application using the below link

CLICK HERE

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.  

More information about Plan International can be found on the website

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.