Ethiopia: Program Director - Youth Earning by Learning

JOB POSTING

Position: Program Director, Youth Earning by Learning
Effective Date: June 26, 2012
Department: Resource Development Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Salary Classification: G Bargaining Unit: No
Reporting to: Director Programs Experienced: Director

As the world’s leading independent child rights organization, Save the Children's mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. We work to create a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Save the Children Canada is recruiting for a Project Director, a senior level position, responsible for providing overall technical oversight and management leadership to a large, multi-member Youth Livelihood initiative, Youth Earning by Learning. S/he will be responsible for providing program guidance, oversight, and management of the project. The objective of the project is to equip vulnerable youth aged 12-18 in 5 target countries (Malawi, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Egypt) with 21st century skills, knowledge and attitudes to make a positive socio-economic change in their lives, that of their families and their communities.

The level of oversight will require a close liaison with Save the Children country offices, the home office of Save the Children Canada and the donor. This will require frequent travel to field sites for representation and coordination with country office staff, project partners and external stakeholders and authorities. He/she will also work closely with other partners responsible for components of the program to ensure the timely completion of all deliverables, including annual work plans and performance monitoring plans.

Key Functions:

• Oversee project implementation and management, including accountability for project budget and spending;
• Oversee technical team and provide insight and advice for youth engagement and livelihoods programming;
• Regular reporting to Save the Children and donor, as required, on program progress, ensuring that required deliverables are met in a timely fashion;
• Represent, engage and develop joint initiatives with government, community leaders, NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders, providing heightened exposure and maximizing impact of the project;
• Work with project staff on an ongoing basis to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation and joint monitoring and evaluation of program activities and achievements towards project goals;
• Lead the project’s strategic, financial, and implementation planning, including the annual work planning process and development of an appropriate exit strategy.
• Supervise and mentor key personnel and oversee the hiring process of project personnel;
• Oversee the identification and selection of appropriate short- and long-term technical assistance;
• Fully inform Save the Children’s home/field offices on all matters relating to the program, and maintain appropriate links with partner home/field offices;
• Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the program (including subgrant management, financial, and performance monitoring and reporting) are in place and support the effective use of program resources in compliance with donor regulations and Save the Children policies;
• Supervise sub-grantees to ensure that objectives are being met and deliverables completed;
• Ensure accurate and proactive dissemination of information;
• Engage regularly with the donor;
• Provide oversight to significant research and evaluation activities.

Qualifications:
• Advanced degree in international development, education, or related field
• Minimum of 15+ years experience managing overseas, complex, multi-partner development programs
• Experience managing programs for youth, job skills/employment and/or education programs; with technical expertise in youth livelihoods development desirable
• Experience managing large-scale donor-funded projects at a senior level
• Team Player with demonstrated skills in strategic and program planning
• Previous employment with or extensive knowledge of INGO, non-profit
• Knowledge of Sub-Sahara Africa context
• Proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Experience with research and evaluation
• Strong competency in written and spoken French

Success Factors:

• Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership approach
• Creative and insightful as regards programming for youth
• Excellent communication and team-building techniques • Proven experience managing and building capacity of diverse teams (expatriate and national)
• Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect
• Commitment to learning, knowledge building and participatory processes.
• Commitment to oversee project for its duration
• Leadership that can motivate and influence people towards a common objective

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