Project Manager

TITLE:  Project Manager – EAA OOSC NGO Consortium

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme Operations, OOSC NGO Consortium

LOCATION: Freetown with monthly field visits to operational areas.

GRADE: 2

CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months renewable up to 3 years.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3: The post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: Save the Children is seeking a Project Manager for the anticipated Delivering Learning for Out of School Children (OOSC) Project. The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in partnership with the Qatar-based Education Above All (EAA) Foundation seeks to implement a five-year program to facilitate enrolment into formal and non-formal learning programs for out of school children. The MBSSE through the World Bank will receive funding for a program aiming to provide effective accelerated learning programmes that support the enrolment, retention, completion, learning outcomes and transition of OOSC. An NGO Consortium led by Save the Children has been formed to co-implement this project alongside MBSSE.

The Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing specific project components directly implemented by Save the Children. They will lead implementation of activities executed in line with the project’s objectives and approved Annual Work Plan and Budget. They will work closely with the Chief of Party, Field Managers and other team members to ensure that the project’s deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.

n the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Chief of Party,

Staff reporting to this post: 4 Project Officers

Budget Responsibilities: $1m

Indirect or Matrix Management Reports: Field Manager

Role Dimensions: The Project Manager will work under the purview of the Kailahun/Pujehun Field manager, and is expected to work closely with MEAL Manager, Education Technical Specialist and all other Save the Children projects/ programmes and departments.  In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

• Support the Chief of Party with day to day management of the Save Children Component of the OOSC Project; Detailed Implementation Plan, resources, and all project deliverables within the scope of its design and results framework, and in line with SCI Programme Management Methodology (PMM) Principles
• Ensure that all Project Officers fully understand the project’s design, objectives, activities, and results framework, and implement activities in line with these documents
• Particularly ensure that Technical Approaches and are fully understood and correctly applied by Project Officers as well TSC staff supporting the project.
• Maintain a detailed quarterly planning cycle for the project, ensuring that all concept notes are submitted to the PDQ team in sufficient time to allow for adequate planning and procurement.
• Regular review on progress of activities, identify challenges or barriers to implementation and request support to resolve challenges in a timely manner.
• Ensure that the project fully meets all of SCI’s key performance indicators (KPIs) as relevant.
• Regularly liaise with the Technical Specialist to ensure that all project activities are implemented in line with quality standards.  This includes arranging for technical support visits, trainings, and so forth.
• In collaboration with the Consortium MEAL Manager, ensure that the project’s MEAL framework, plan, tools, and systems are well embedded into all project activities, fully understood and regularly implemented by staff and partners, and are in line with the project’s results framework.
• Responsible for the production of timely, accurate, and quality project reports and other relevant project documentation for submission to the Chief of Party in line with SCI procedures.
• Work closely with other project/programme teams to ensure an integrated programme approach, identify ways of maximising links, sharing of experiences and lessons learnt.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure that all project accountability and feedback mechanisms are operational, functional, and used, including by children.
• Prepare monthly project reports in the required template; participate in all monthly reviews, project kick-offs and closeout meetings, participate and support internal and external reviews

Human Resources Management

• Manage or participate in staff recruitment as needed for the project.
• Build a cohesive and high-performance team, which will deliver results and changes for children, and which is accountable to its beneficiaries, the donor, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure staff receive regular support, supervision and performance appraisals in line with HR policies; feedback mechanisms are in place; and capacity building opportunities are pursued as relevant/feasible.
• Ensure that all members of the project team are in full compliance with all of Save the Children’s policies, protocols and procedures, both global and country level.
• Approve staff monthly time sheets as per SCI’s effort reporting guidelines. Ensure annual leave plans are developed and leave is taken regularly, but in a manner that does not disrupt project delivery.

Financial Resources Management

• Assist the Chief of Party to ensure that all components of the project budget are fully understood by the project team.
• Ensure that all planned activities are delivered on time in line with expenditure forecasts
• Help ensure that all activities and expenses are donor and SCI-compliant.
• Prepare and regularly review project spend plans on monthly basis in line with BVA reports and transaction listings, identifying budget coding errors and missed postings.
• Share budget variance explanations for 10% variance (under and over spend) for each budget line item on monthly basis.
• Ensure detailed and accurate procurement plans are in place and adhere to appropriate lead times; ensure all procurement is done through ProSave and in line with required lead times.
• Participate in periodic financial forecasts as required to inform master budget, ensuring these are realistic and as accurate as possible.

Representation and Coordination with External Stakeholders

• Maintain positive relationships with all relevant government agencies and stakeholders, particularly with DDE and TSC in the three Target Districts, ensuring they are regularly updated and invited to participate in or monitor activities as relevant.
• As delegated, represent Save the Children in various external/internal meetings and workshops, and strengthen links with relevant co-ordination mechanisms.
• Proactively reach out to other organisations, groups, and agencies that are doing similar or related activities in the project area to strengthen collaboration and synergy, and to avoid duplication.
• Work closely with the advocacy/communications and PDQ teams to maintain an integrated and joined approach to advocacy and programme work as relevant.

Other

• Prepare and submit regular weekly/monthly plans and reports of project activities.
• Other significant duties as may be assigned by line manager; participate in required trainings.
• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures, including, but not limited to: fraud and anti-bribery, safeguarding and code of conduct, sexual harassment and gender equality, safety and security, finance, procurement, and human resources.
• Ensure all project activities are implemented in line with safe programming procedures and protocols.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS  DESIRABLE

  Minimum of A Bachelors Degree in Education or a relevant field (development studies, international relations, social work,).

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience leading and implementing programmes
• Specific technical expertise in Education programming and experience of working in Education/NGO sector in Sierra Leone
• Demonstrated ability managing a program of a similar size and scope.
• Demonstrated strong ability to coordinate and manage multiple partners and maintain strong relationships with government entities, donors and coor
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently as needed to other locations, sometimes at short notice
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills in English
• Excellent leadership, advocacy and interpersonal skills with expertise in program and staff management and capacity development;
• Demonstrated skills on process facilitation and coordination with high standards
• Strong computer skills in Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Good analytical skills; ability to solve problems creatively, understand underlying causes, and proactively identify and pursue innovative solutions (in consultation with others).
• Demonstrated ability to work across teams and departments, understanding complex and difficult issues from a range of perspectives.

Desirable 

Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours as needed

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities 

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedure