The purpose of the position of Coordinator, Program Development & Quality Unit (C/PQL) is to enhance program quality and impact by ensuring that CARE’s program in Ethiopia is addressing the underlying causes of poverty and vulnerability (UCP/V). S/he manages the PQL unit responsible for program design, monitoring and evaluation, and technical assistance, in accordance with international humanitarian standards, CARE International program principles and CARE Ethiopia’s mission and strategic directions. Under his/her leadership, the PQL is responsible for building the capacity of Country Office and partner staff to design and implement relief and development programs according to industry best practice; and for overseeing the mainstreaming of cross-cutting initiatives (women’s empowerment, partnership, program development, proposal submission and a range of technical support functions, including training and program/project coordination and harmonization. Under his/her oversight, CARE’s programs are monitored and evaluated, and lessons learned are applied to project revisions and new project designs to improve CARE’s program quality. This includes dissemination both internally and externally. S/he plays a key role in devising and implementing the Country Office Strategic Plan, and ensures that the CO’s progress against its strategic directions are measured and monitored, and its strategy adjusted as appropriate to ensure that CARE remains relevant and effective within the Ethiopian development context. S/he represents the CO in assigned areas as designated in the absence of the Program Director, including program and technical representation with donors.

 RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS: 

 Job Responsibility #1: Program Quality and Learning Strategy Planning, Budgeting & Management

• Leads PQL unit’s prioritization of activities and strategic planning
• Co-leads periodic reviews of the CO Strategic Plan with LDM manager, and ensures timely adjustments in the interest of keeping CARE Ethiopia relevant and viable within the context.
• Supports the development of program AOPs.
• Coordinates all activities related to proposal development and submission, undertaking direct proposal writing as required
• Tracks and evaluates all support to CO and SOs requested from and provided by the PQL Unit,
• Budgets for and manages the budget of the PQL Unit including: identification of resources, covering PQL staff costs, planning for PQL roles in new projects, ensuring that PQL is budgeted for in project proposals, negotiating cost recovery with projects, and ensuring consistent cross-charging.
• Manages any program related funds that are allocated directly to PQL.
• Tracks all funding opportunities and takes oversight of budget development in proposals
• Supervises all PQL unit staff and conducts regular PQL Unit meetings
• Leads recruitment and selection of candidates for PQL related positions and supports recruitment for program or technical positions, as required.

Job Responsibility #2: Partnership, Networking and Learning

• Represents CARE Ethiopia externally and internally as necessary
• Is point person for, and coordinator of, CARE Ethiopia’s participation in external partnership events
• Ensures inter-departmental synergy, cooperation and dialogue and functional coordination between other CO units and the PQL services.
• Ensures that CARE’s partnerships are consistent with the principles of good partnership; and ensures that by virtue of its program standards and networking, CARE Ethiopia is a partner of choice.
• Establishes and maintains regular contact with government, donors and other stakeholders to ensure that CARE is an active and valuable contributor to development thinking in Ethiopia in particular, and in East Africa in general.
• Supports the LDM Manger in the development and application of tools for capturing and applying learning.
• Supports the collection and dissemination of best practice documents within the country office.
• Supports capacity development planning and learning initiatives within the country office.
• Supports communications related to CARE Ethiopia’s Strategic Plan.
• Develops mechanisms for communications between PQL members and field offices.

Job Responsibility #3: Monitoring and Evaluation

• In coordination with the Program Director, ensures that CARE Ethiopia programs are consistent with CARE International programming principles and strategic directions, and with CARE USA program frameworks (RBA, Livelihood Security, Gender Equity and Diversity).
• In coordination with the Program Director, ensures that CARE Ethiopia programs are aligned with and actively promoting realization of CARE Ethiopia’s strategic directions.
• Ensures adherence to CARE Ethiopia policies and procedures for program development.
• Oversees the monitoring and evaluation of CARE Ethiopia’s program, in keeping with industry standards and in compliance with donor requirements.  

Job Responsibility #4: Others

• Acts for and represents the Program Director, as delegated.
• Participates in the CO’s PMT and any other coordination functions as necessary
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

While the incumbent will face all three levels of problem-solving, the biggest challenges belong to category number three. This position was created to ensure integration of cross-cutting issues and promotion of synergy and coordination in project design, monitoring and evaluation. This will require an understanding and use of different tools and programming approaches to enhance CO staff and partners capacity in project and program design. This position requires innovative thinking and the ability to think and communicate broadly and strategically.

Job Requirements

EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Masters degree in relevant disciplines such as Rural Development, Economics, Project Design or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

EXPERIENCE

• 6 years of relevant experience with the first degree and 5 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree in the design of complex programs in a range of sectors, monitoring, and evaluation.
• At least 3 years of Senior management experience.
• Proven experience in managing staff and budgets
• Working knowledge of programming in chronically vulnerable environments. 
• Good understanding of principles of gender equity and accountability.

CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners.

CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.

By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.

How to Apply

If you are interested to be part of our dynamic team, exciting work environment and contribute to CARE Ethiopia’s mission and vision, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and cover letter (not more than one page) through CLICK HERE

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.