Project Manager (SAGE)

Project Manager (SAGE)

Location: Harare, HA, ZW

Company: Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity.
We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. In Zimbabwe, we have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 31 years. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity.

Job Description: Project Manager (SAGE)
Reporting to the Head of Program, the Project Manager, will provide overall management oversight of a complex multimillion pound DFID funded girls education project in Zimbabwe. The Project Manager will facilitate effective consortium partner working relationships and programmatic learning. S/he will coordinate a multi-agency consortium for the delivery of a complex adolescent girls’ education project in Zimbabwe, with overall responsibility for achievement of targets.

Accountabilities:

Programme Coordination
• Establish and maintain clear contractual arrangements between Plan International Zimbabwe and local partner organizations with agreed operational, administrative and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate the writing and submission of regular narrative and financial reports to the donor.
• Provide regular reports to the Head of Programs and the Program Leadership Team as required.
• Identify the need for and coordinate input from MEL and quality assurance advisory partners to country operations teams.
• Ensure that the programme achieves and can document value for money.
• Ensure cross learning among the relevant sectoral programmes of the consortium members.
• Tracking and managing project expenditure and ensuring no over or under-expenditure.
Stakeholder Coordination
• Establish effective working relationships with the UK Program Manager and in-country team.
• Mediate between Plan International Zimbabwe and consortium partners to maintain consistent delivery standards and good working relationships across projects.
• Ensure good relationships and regular, structured communications with the Fund Management team through for instance review and modification meetings and budget revision processes.
• Represent the consortium in general meetings with the donor and with other consortia funded under the same funding cycle.
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education at national, provincial and district level
Programme Learning and Communication
• Ensure that effective use is made of learning from programme monitoring and evaluation to strengthen programme delivery and inform wider practice in relation to Plan International Zimbabwe work.
• Coordinate, facilitate and assure the quality of all research efforts that will be undertaken under this project.
• Coordinate the development of content for learning and knowledge sharing.
• Identify emerging issues of complex grant management and document best practices
Logistics/Finance/Administration
• Familiarity with donor compliance issues, ensuring all projects are compliant with these and Plan procedures.
• Ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical Plan systems/procedures are in place, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure Plan complies with all legal and bureaucratic requirements in country on non-formal education programming
• Responsible for the preparation of projected expenditures quarterly.
• Overall responsibility of the SAGE project financial management in line with approved project proposals.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge required:
• A Postgraduate qualification in Social Sciences, Education or related field
• Additional qualifications and experience in project management, report writing and education programming
• Demonstrated experience in delivering Payment by Results contracts
• Consortium management experience with or working through partners is a key requirement
• Knowledge of development trends within the education sectors, including policies and guidelines, SOPs particularly on Non-Formal Education.
• A minimum of 8-10 years practical experience working with marginalised and rural communities, particularly girls.
• Experience in donor liaison and grant reporting
• Ability to work with teams, communicate and coordinate with government departments and other agencies at various levels.
• Experience in financial, budget and administrative management or related issues
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and theories gender transformative programming
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies including experimental designs
Leadership behaviours
• Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children without discrimination
• Ability to develop, motivate and coach and mentor others
• Promotes high quality non formal education programs
• Confident in taking initiative and exploring new opportunities
• Assertive and demonstrates cultural sensitivity

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & cover letter outlining their suitability for the position. Plan International takes very seriously the responsibility and duty to ensure that we and anyone who represents us does not in any way harm or place at risk children and young people. In this regard, reference & background checks will be performed including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan’s Safeguarding Policy.