Plan International Ethiopia is looking for a PlayMatters Project Manager for a five-year project called “PlayMatters” and funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative, led by the PMs Project Lead, aimed at increasing play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda. This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.
The Project Manager Education will be responsible to effectively sub-lead a team of professionals and deliver high quality programming and results for the PMs project in Gambella, Afar and Benishangul Gumuz. He/She will be responsible and ultimately accountable for Legos PMs project’s quality EIE and ECCD programming and results achievement, stakeholder and partner relations, including government relations and deliverables.
In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, overall technical responsibility for the development and implementation of the LEGO PMs project
Ensures management systems and processes consistent with program quality needs
Develop steps and procedures in the planning and implementation of the project
In collaboration with the PMs Project lead, ensure compliance tools and frameworks are designed, implemented and maintained ensuring the project is consistently ready for audit,
In collaboration with the Grants and Finance Manager as well as the PMs Project lead ensure expenditure is monitored monthly to ensure spending is on track and forecasts are duly updated based on project needs and in compliance with donor regulations.
Quality programmatic and financial reports are prepared on time and in line with Plan International and donor standards.
Effective monitoring and evaluation system, tools and processes are developed for measuring the results of the project, and project data is collected, and validated by and shared with relevant stakeholders.
Ensure program strategies in gender equality and women’s empowerment are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities, and adhere to best practices in the sector.
Qualifications/ experience essential:
Academic Qualification BA/MA in Education or other related social science fields.
Proven experience (minimum 10 years for BA & 7 years for MA) in leading international projects – preferably education project - that delivered high quality programming and gender transformative results, preferably in an Emergency setting
Experience in complex emergencies or post-conflict settings, with experience working in a difficult security environment.
Working knowledge of Child Protection and Education in Emergencies programming.
Progressive experience working for INGOs in senior level management positions.
Proven experience in directly managing a diverse team including technical and finance staff ensuring high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.
Familiarity with Lego Foundation guidelines and requirements.
Knowledge of the Minimum Standards (MS for EiE; MS for CP in Humanitarian Action; Inter-Agency Guideline on Mental Health & Psycho-social Support) and experience in active participation on key coordination forums.
Experience leading cross-functional and remote teams to deliver results.
Ability to fully function in English (verbal and written) in essential. All donor reports, deliverables and communication will be in English.
Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).
