POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER- EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT: PROGRAMS
REPORTS TO: PROGRAM DIRECTOR
VALIDITY: SUBJECT TO PROGRAM AWARD AND FUNDING
NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION
The Project Manager- Education is responsible for the implementation, management and lead supervision of the organization’s education program. The purpose of this position is to provide solid technical assistance, quality assurance and knowledge building/management services to support the initiation and development of education programs that aim to bolster education quality, including improving learning outcomes and equitable access to quality learning. The Project Manager- Education will focus on activities including formal education, non-formal education and functional literacy and numeracy skills development for primary age school children in South Central Somalia.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management & Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Ensure quality in all aspects of the program management cycle; from the design, planning, and budgeting, to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, documentation, reporting and advocacy. The Project Manager will also be responsible to provide leadership and guidance to ensure education program activities and objectives are met in accordance with donor guidelines and sector needs.
- Lead in establishment a work plan and monitoring compliance framework, and coordinate the implementation of this in line with various stakeholders both internal and external.
- Support the interface, coordination and management of field teams work deliverables to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery in all areas of operation.
- Conduct field assessment visits for evaluating program effectiveness in all areas of operation. Support program learning and improvement to maximize impact, identifying problems and instituting remedial measures.
- Responsible for the overall planning and disbursement of programme funds ensuring they are properly administered, liquidated, and utilized in accordance with the program plan of action and within the program budget allotment.
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of narrative program and finance documentation including progress/status reports, budget analysis, programme analysis and assessment, and monthly, quarterly or annual reports as required for management, donors, stakeholders, etc.
Technical Leadership:
- Provide technical leadership, guidance and direction for appropriate education program management. A focus on non-formal education and functional literacy and numeracy skills development for primary age school children is required.
- Provide technical support, orientation and guidance to government officials, technicians and partners on appropriate technical and institutional capacity-building measures to achieve programme goals and expand coverage of services.
- Lead and support the field team to develop participatory approaches for community involvement in education services.
- Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of education services and accessibility, and achieve programme requirements and objectives.
Coordination:
- Interact with the key stakeholders including the Ministries of Education at the zonal and national level, the communities, and other partners, and support program ownership and partnership at all levels.
- Support the continuous evaluation of the programme through periodic meetings, individually and in groups with the various sectoral team members. Lead coordination between Mercy-USA and other partners, NGO’s, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of programme implementation, to follow up on implementation of recommendations and agreements.
- Communicate with donors as outlined in funding agreements, and support future resource mobilization efforts for education programs.
- Frequent Travel to the field offices for monitoring and coordination
JOB SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL
DESIRED
Academic
· Degree in Education/ Social Sciences or another relevant technical discipline
· Professional qualification will be an added advantage
Master’s Degree in the specified field will be an added advantage
Experience
· 4-7 years in similar position
· 3 years’ direct experience in a coordination and implementation an education project
· Experience in primary education curriculums and methods for both formal and non-formal education, ideally in programs focused on education accessibility and reaching out-of-school children
· Experience working in Somalia
· Languages:- Somali and English
· Experience of implementing USAID,UN,EAC funded projects
· Experience working with budgets, including managing financial outlays and expenditures
Previous work experience managing remote field teams
Work related skills
· Strong knowledge of the programme management cycle, and related process and structures for quality programme management
· Good organizational skills
· Good time management skills
· Strong communication skills, including ability to lead and manage remote
· Ability to work in harsh conditions
· Strategic thinking
· Aggressive and Result Oriented
· Able to meet set own targets and meet own targets on a monthly basis and follow up targets of reporting colleagues
· Able to meet deadlines
· Able to identify programme challenges and plan and communicate alternatives for smooth programme implementation
Courses or skills related to program management (such as PMP)
Personal attributes
· Ability to work under pressure
· Trustworthy
· Team player
· Responsiveness
· Strong interpersonal skills
· Strong customer relation skills
· Integrity
HOW TO APPLY:
Mercy-USA for Aid and Development is dedicated to alleviating human suffering and supporting individuals and their communities in their efforts to become more self-sufficient. Incorporated in the State of Michigan in 1988, Mercy-USA’s projects focus on improving health, nutrition and access to safe water, as well as promoting economic and educational growth around the world.
The position will close 2nd December 2016, the incumbents should send their CV’s and cover letters or motivational letters to mkikuvi@mercyusa.org. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
