Project Coordinator_Green Plus – SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia
Development and Project Management
SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia
SOS Children's Villages is the largest non-governmental, non-political, non-denominational charitable child welfare organisation in the world. Its mission is to build families for children in need, help them shape their own futures and share in the development of their communities. The first SOS Children's Village was founded by Hermann Gmeiner in 1949 in Imst, Austria. He was committed to helping children in need,children who had lost their homes, their security and their families as a result of the Second World War. With the support of many donors and co-workers, the organisation has grown to help children all over the world.
Currently, SOS Children's Villages offers an effective alternative foster care through its services in the Alternative Child Care and Family & Community Development Programme Units in 134 countries and territories around the world. It also supports educational programmes and medical centres and it is active in the field of child protection and child rights.
SOS Children's Villages started to work in Ethiopia in 1974 with the opening of the first SOS Children's Village in Mekelle. Currently, we are operating in Ethiopia in six regions namely Harari, Tigray, Amhara, Sidama, Somali and Oromia. In addition, we operate in two city administrations: Addis Ababa & Dire Dawa. SOS Children’s Villages Programme work towards its vision of a world where, “every child belongs to a family and grows with love, respect and security”. For the past 44 years, we have been working to build families for children in need, help them shape their own future and share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is based on the best interest of the child. We help vulnerable families care for their children, and we work to prevent the breakdown of parental care. When children lose their own parental care, we provide quality alternative care. We support young people in their efforts to become independent adults and succeed in life.
Who we are
SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. The organization started its humanitarian work with the opening of its first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since beginning it’s operation, the organization has been providing life-saving provisions such as food, water and health services for a very significant number of children devastated by severe drought and the subsequent famine.
Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and 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; SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia aspires that every child grows up with love, respect and security.
Why we need you?
We are looking for a Project Coordinator who leads the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities, in accordance with the organisational standards and strategies.
What we provide…
An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!
As a Project Coordinator, you will be in charge of the following:
Lead the planning of the family strengthening Project
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Ensure that the Project operates in accordance with the organisation’s policies and procedures.
- 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.
- 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.
Build and manage positive relations with the community and/or local authorities
- 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.
- Participate in governmental and/or community forums dealing with issues affecting children of our target group.
- 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
- Follow professional recruitment processes for new staff (draw-up advert, screening of applications, interviews, and reference checks) in consultation with direct superior.
- Plan orientation Projects for new staff to ensure they have a good understanding of the organisation and their role within it.
- 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.
- 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.
Financial management and administration of the Project
- Ensure that the organisation’s financial resources are used modestly and efficiently.
- Implement financial and administrative procedures, in line with policies/guidelines of the national association and in consultation with financial support staff.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Participate in local, national and regional processes, meetings and structures within the organisation as required and agreed with the direct superior.
- Document and share good practices and lessons learned with colleagues to support organisational learning.
- Prepare Project information as required for public relations and fund development purposes.
- Keep track of child rights issues in general as well as current social development issues and trends relevant to the organisation’s mission.
Child Safeguarding:
- Responsible to take part in awareness raising sessions and capacity building trainings in relation to Child Safeguarding to prevent and protect children and young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
- Support children and young people to make them understand the CS risks and protection mechanisms
- Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS team at programme level and/or to the respective line manager
- This job description outlines only the general scope of activity and the basic tasks and responsibilities associated with this position. It may be supplemented with a more detailed definition of tasks, responsibilities and work-plan and is subject to change at the discretion of the direct superior.
Up for the challenge…
Then check out our criteria’s:
The must haves:
Education
- Degree or equivalent qualification in social sciences, development studies, community development or public administration
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in the field of social services or community development. Management experience will be an added advantage.
- Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation.
Competences
- 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.
- 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.
