Child Protection in Emergency (CPiE) Project Manager

The Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) Project Manager will ensure the effective implementation, management and coordination of multi-area/multi-donor child protection projects. In addition, the CPiE Project Manager will also ensure effective management of the overall grant with particular attention to donor contractual compliances and obligations and the provision of proactive support to the Program Area Offices as required. The role will maintain a coherent overview of implementation and performance against key CP indicators, monitor budgets, and have forecasting oversight of overall grant and ensure appropriate, timely, and accurate sharing of information with all relevant sections within Plan International Ethiopia, Donors, and National Offices as necessary. 

The post holder, will coordinate CPiE projects at National and Regional level and ensure that projects are implemented in target locations as per the agreement entered with government stakeholders and signatory offices. He/she will be providing hands-on guidance, support, mentoring and coaching to Child Protection in Emergency frontline staff including Coordinators Officers, CPIMS Officers Social Workers, etc… to ensure smooth and quality implementation of child protection in emergencies projects. 

Typical Responsibilities:

Project oversight, management, implementation and reporting 

• Manage and lead project related strategic liaison with donor, national offices (NOs), and government stakeholders; 
• Monitor regularly and review CPiE project performance data and project management arrangements on a monthly basis, identifying and agreeing on actions points and mitigation plans with key project stakeholders and Plan International NOs to ensure performance is maintained;
• Ensure the development and application of common standards, tools and practices for program planning, implementation, monitoring, learning and reporting across the projects; 
• Provide a review of and identify key risks and trigger contingency plans related to the project, and verify and support Program Area Offices/ERP to ensure risks are being effectively managed;
• Ensure the effective planning and implementation of activities that cut across the project, including assessments, studies, capacity building initiatives, setting up and running of centralized data management, evidence, and knowledge management, and dissemination activities; 
• Work with Plan International’s National Offices, MEAL Team, and other technical Specialists such as Knowledge Management, Innovation and Communications and Influencing to establish effective monitoring systems to properly monitor and ensure that program activities, budget allocations and financial expenditure are all on track;
• Review work plans, procurement approaches and key program elements, including through a value for money lens, contributing to effective programming and accountability to the donor;
• Work closely with colleagues at the various locations to maintain an accurate and timely budget analysis of the grants detailed oversight of forecasting and financial performance, to support and ensure grant components forecasted effectively;
• Hold monthly calls with each Coordinator to review project implementation progress and BvA and thereafter discuss financial performance;
• Oversee implementation of child protection in emergency project activities ensuring that services are delivered on time, on budget and in compliance with donor regulations;
• Ensure that child protection partners and frontline staff understand the requirements and quality standards for implementation and ensure that child protection project is implemented in ways responsive to communities, stakeholders, and children’s needs and in line with Plan International principles, values, procedures and strategic plan;
• Supervise CPiE Coordinators and Officers on their day-to-day work and provide them with hands-on technical support and guidance;
• Prepare timely and high-quality donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal Plan International requirements and any relevant external donor requirements;
• Undertaking ongoing protection needs assessments, capacity assessments of local stakeholders and identify needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency;  
• Provide timely coordination and guidance in the delivery of child protection in emergencies projects. 

Budget management:

• Serve as an overall budget holder for the CPiE project he/she is in charge of; ·
• Prepare and compile DIP, annual, quarterly and monthly plans, budget plans and forecasts, quarterly and annual reports for the project based on donors, government other stakeholder’s requirements; 
• Make a periodic program and budget revisions as required in consultation with donors, NO focal persons, BDD and Grant and Finance Coordinators;
•   Ensure effective and efficient utilization of project budget and other resources for the intended purpose;
• Ensure that finance planning and reports are in line with the project agreement and requirements from donors and governments as needed. 

Monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance: 

• In coordination with MEAL Team, supports the Field and Area Offices to design results-based monitoring and evaluation process for the project.
• Regularly follow-up & monitor CPiE project to ensure proper and efficient implementation.
• Plan and facilitate regularly scheduled reviews of projects with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and facilitate assessments and evaluation exercises on regular basis.
• Manage knowledge and experiences from the learning process and replicate good practices.
• Ensure the proper utilization and use of monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Observe and apply the child protection minimum standards (CPMS) as necessary.

External representation, coordination and capacity building:  

• Work closely with government stakeholders at various levels, UN agencies and affected communities including children throughout the course of the program cycle including planning, implementation and M&E;  
• Maintain regular communication and interaction with stakeholders to facilitate and foster partnership which contributes to the success of the project;  
• Provide technical support and coach government stakeholders and build their capacity in the course of project implementation;
• Represents Plan International Ethiopia at National and Regional Cluster Coordination meetings, working groups, and technical forums in relation to the program;
• Ensure that project interventions continue to be informed by and integrated with other core sectors of Plan International, such as education, health & nutrition, WaSH, SRHR etc; 
• Continuously identify and document child protection issues in the project area, and ensure that relevant stakeholders and duty bearers are informed; 

Documentation and Learning: 

• Identify, capture and develop case studies for the purpose of reporting, advocacy and influencing efforts.
• Ensure proper documentation of experiences and lessons (including pictures and video documentation) learned in the course of program implementation.
• Organize and properly maintain database and information related to the program.
• Take an active role, facilitate and participate in studies and reviews related to the program. 
• Facilitate and ensure dissemination of information and study/reviews. 
• Provide information/inputs to be used for Plan International information and communication purpose/materials

Job Requirements

Qualification:

• • Bachelor’s Degree (MA preferred) in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Community Development, Law, Political Science and related fields with at least 5 years relevant experience of which at least three years experience with INGOs at managerial capacity

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the child protection in emergencies sector including protection risks, response interventions/strategies, standards, principles and procedures
• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian program cycle management and child-centered protection programming
• Knowledge of new developments and trends in the humanitarian sector including challenges and opportunities and their implications to the protection of children
• Knowledge of effective participatory monitoring and evaluation systems and processes.

Skills Specific to the Post:

• Proven experience as a trainer and facilitation of workshops for professional team and government authorities
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and government and community stakeholders
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and problem-solving skills
• Hands-on skill to interpret financial data, in order to understand budgetary processes including planning, budget tracking and control 
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and decision making in often ambiguous situations
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is February 10, 2022. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the below link.

https://jobs.plan-international.org/job-invite/42646/

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

Please note that: 

• Applications and CVs written in English will be accepted
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link.

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.