Position: Project Manager
Required: One
Grade: C2 National
Place of work: Addis Ababa
Duration: Two years with possibilities of contract extension.
Closing date: February 25, 2018
OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering.
TEAM PURPOSE: Management and coordination of staff, partners and relevant stakeholders (such as youth) to ensure the smooth running of the Empower Youth for Work program within the target areas.
JOB PURPOSE: Leading, coordinating, planning, supervising and supporting the Empower Youth for Work Program within Ethiopia, ensuring an effective team and enabling environment are in place that achieves project results.
BACKGROUND:
The Oxfam ‘“Empower Youth for Work!” program starts on July 1st 2016 and will last 5 years. The program’s ambition is that young people in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Indonesia are empowered and have improved skills and jobs. This program focuses specifically on the development of appropriate skills for youth, the improvement in opportunities for decent work with micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and in larger companies, and the creation of an enabling environment for young women and men (including improving Sexual Reproductive Health Rights for instance). Geographic locations, sectors and economic opportunities are also selected based on their ability to contribute to climate change adaptation.
For this position, you need to have excellent programme management skills and be capable of managing a complex programme, working with a diverse set of stakeholders. You will need to be effective at developing partnerships with civil society, academia, Government and the private sector. You will need expertise on economic empowerment and have a holistic understanding of the issues facing young people. You will have a passion for youth rights and skills. You need tobe a creative thinker who enjoys innovating but at the same time is organized and can deliver a project with high standards. This will involve a great deal of coordination and problem solving therefore you need excellent cross cultural communication skills.
Despite their growing numbers - 1.2 billion of the world's population is now aged 15 to 24 young people are often excluded from (decent and paid) work and key decision-making processes. Young people especially in rural areas face similar challenges including a combination of economic opportunities and climate change which drive them into already overcrowded and stressed urban centers. This threatens the future viability of rural areas, and food security.
This program addresses these problems holistically, with three key elements:
1. Agency, capacity & skills (training)
2. Economic opportunities (entrepreneurship development and business support)
3. Policy & norms (influencing)
Youth will be co-creators and co-implementers. Through civil society partners, and close links with the private sector and government, we will ensure that improved skills training is adopted within local structures and innovative social enterprises; unemployment is tackled through improved private sector practices, increased market access and new enterprise development; an enabling social environment is created through grassroots and media action. Climate change, resilience, gender and youth empowerment are mainstreamed. 70% of beneficiaries will be rural young women.
Oxfam in Ethiopia will have the lead in implementing ‘Empower Youth for Work’. Pending on funding, the project will be over five years from July 2016 in the following regions: Oromia and Somali Regions.
DIMENSIONS:
5. Ensuring cost effective, efficient and equitable use of programme resources.
6. Problem solving related to the defined project - problem-solving and analysis involves decision-making with the Supervisor and other relevant stakeholders especially youth themselves.
7. Accountable for monthly financial and narrative reporting
8. Accountable for production of communications material that supports overall communications strategies in country and globally including for the donor – focus on innovation, youth and the involvement of other key stakeholders including private sector.
9. Development of national partnerships with implementing NGOs, government and the private sector.
10. Use of human centered design approach as much as possible through co-creation and involving stakeholders especially youth
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. You will develop an overall strategy for the country EYW programme that aims to maximize impact and influence and, in cooperation with the project staff, realistic work plans each year. You are responsible for the quality, timeliness and efficiency of the work of the team.
2. You will update the project progress reports on a monthly basis, including beneficiary reach, budget projections, project workplans etc”
3. You will ensure that the programme develops a realistic budget every year and that expenditure is monitored and managed to ensure accountability, donor compliance requirements and value for money.
4. You will manage any staff in the Ethiopia EYW team, ensuring they deliver work to agreed plans, timetables and quality
5. You will ensure effective systems that provide timely information on project progress, challenges and new opportunities, and that allow the team to assess progress to milestones and adapt programme design as necessary, are in place.
6. You will ensure that donor reporting requirements are met including financial and narrative reports and audits.
7. You will contribute to the production of global communication materials as required.
8. You will take a lead in developing partnerships with national stakeholders in civil society, Government, academia and the private sector who can contribute to the programme and increase its influence. You will ensure effective coordination between such partners.
9. You will ensure that the Youth Advisory Board is functional and makes a meaningful contribution to programme development
10. You will ensure good communication within the project team, Oxfam, with partner organisations, the project beneficiaries and other stakeholders; Representation to internal and external networks and related initiatives;
11. You will identify the project risks and control them by taking action and regular monitoring;
12. You will conduct a project risk analysis, and ensure that effective mitigation measures are in place
13. You will contribute to fundraising for related projects;
14. You will ensure that youth are involved th rough all steps of the project in a meaningful way.
15. You will coordinate cross-learning between different field locations and ensure that project teams are working to institutionalize harmonized best practices and produce documentation of evidence. You will support the dissemination of learning from the country to other countries in EYFW and across Oxfam more broadly.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:
1. Degree in Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences or relevant field required;
2. Significant experience of a sample of the following: economic empowerment including SME development; Entrepreneurship; private sector engagement; SRHR; women’s economic empowerment and gender; social enterprise models; youth training approaches especially in relation to rural areas/agriculture.
3. Proven management skills including strategic planning, project design, project cycle and financial management skills especially in the context of complex programmes;
4. Proven people management skills, with experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams, supporting and coaching individuals;
5. Experience of developing collaborative relationships and partnerships with civil society, Government and the private sector.
6. Understanding of climate change and how it relates to development, vulnerability, gender and youth.
7. Understanding of and passion for involving youth in a meaningful way within the planning and implementation of this project;
8. Sound understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) principles and practice;
9. Strong communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to build relationships with a diverse range of local and national stakeholders;
10. Experience of raising funds from international donor agencies;
11. A results-oriented approach;
12. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize, meet deadlines, and hold self and
13. Proven experience in representing an organisation at the level of national partners, local administration, ministries and donors at senior level.
14. Innovative mindset to find opportunities and solutions.
DESIRABLE SKILLS:
· Able to work with minimum supervision and provide solutions to problems as they arise;
· Knowledge of Somali and Oromia will constitute an advantage;
· Master degree