Education Project Manager – Education in Emergency (EIE)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme Operation

LOCATION: Kismayo with periodic travel to project sites

GRADE: 2

POST TYPE: National

Safeguarding:

Relief Winds is strongly committed to upholding child & adult safeguarding policy by ending Child Abuse, all forms of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and to building a work environment that is safe and welcoming for all, where Sexual Harassment does not take place. The desired candidate for any position should share and support this commitment in all aspects of their personal and professional behavior. Any history implicating that the applicant has a history of Child Abuse, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, or Sexual Harassment, is a reason for excluding him or her from employment with Relief Winds.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Project Manager (EIE) is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting of the Projects under the guidance and leadership of the Program Manager. The job holder is expected to have in-depth professional knowledge and experience in education planning and management. S/he will be responsible, under the supervision and leadership of the Program Manager for planning and execution of project activities. he/she ensures that the project is timely, efficiently and effectively implemented. H/she ensures the involvement and participation of stakeholders including children, teachers, parents, and government authorities. He or she will ensure the use of appropriate, cost effective and innovative approaches. He or she will ensure synergy through collaboration and networking with other actors and promote partnership with relevant partners including Ministry of education, CECs, teachers and children. The project manager shall ensure linkage among EIE program (Education & Protection) projects and other thematic areas. He or she will play key role in representing Relief Winds in relevant networks and forums and engage in advocacy and dialogue with relevant education duty bearers and stakeholders. The job would demand frequent interaction with and provision of technical support to project staff and government line Ministries. The Education Project Manager is also expected to effectively manage education project officers reporting to him or her. 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.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Program Manager

Staff reporting to this post: Education Officers

Budget Responsibilities: Oversee the budget spending for the project, review the BvA, and attend awards and operational meetings.

Role Dimensions:

This role entails a high level of overseeing project management, quality implementation, coordination, monitoring, reporting, advocacy, innovation and stakeholder engagements.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Project Planning

•       Organise and undertake (as applicable), together with project team, needs assessments and surveys that can form the basis for initiating or developing new projects.

•       Develop concept notes for planning and undertaking new initiatives and submitted to Program Manager

•       Participate in developing project proposals on the basis of approved project ideas/concept notes.

•       Ensure that detailed project action plans are prepared, submitted to Program Manager and implemented

•       Support project implementing partners/stakeholders in preparing plans for implementing project activities and ensure coordination within and among projects and partners.

•       Ensure that project planning and implementation is informed by pertinent National Education Policies and strategies

Project Implementation

•       Prepare detailed action plans (activity and budget plans) and implement in accordance with the project documents and upon approval by the Program Manager

•       Ensure the participation of children/target groups in M&E based on CRP principles and approaches

•       Ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and the involvement of partners and concerned stakeholders at all levels

•       Ensure that project/program monitoring and evaluation system/tools are applied and project progress (activities and outputs), results and immediate objectives (outcomes) and impacts are systematically tracked, documented and shared as appropriate on the basis of Relief Winds and donors’ requirements.

•       Travels to project sites and conduct regular monitoring of schools together with project team

•       Under the leadership of the Program Manager, organise monthly, quarterly and half-annual (as required) project review meetings involving all stakeholders and ensure that planning/implementation of projects are informed by the outcomes of the reviews.

•       Provide technical assistance to MoE, teachers and CEC through mentoring, developing standards monitoring/supervision tools, guidelines and trainings and other mechanisms to ensure quality of primary education

•       Ensure effective community participation and utilization of local resources for project implementation and sustainability

•       In consultation with project staff and local partners prepare project budgets and submits to Program Manager for approval

•       Assist project officers in producing project cash forecast on monthly and manage project budgets as per Relief Winds minimum standards and donors’ requirements

•       Monitor project budget utilisation (budget/expenditure) against project implementation progress (variance reports) and propose necessary adjustments/justification and/or actions

•       Manage the project officers; define expectations, provide leadership and support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly

•       Manage and provide leadership to project officers in accordance with the terms and conditions of Relief Winds and in agreement with Program Manager

•       Apply performance management system in line with Relief Wind’s guidelines and minimum standards with project officers under his/her supervision in consultation with the Program Manager.

•       Identify program staff performance gaps and plan appropriate actions in consultation with Program Manager.

•       Ensure team work among education team members.

•       Ensure that project officers understand and are able to adapt their roles and responsibilities in both emergency and development contexts

•       Establish planning, review and feedback mechanisms for staff members

•       Support project officers proactively build and maintain technical skills and competencies required for leading and/or inputting for first class programmes – both development and emergency nature

•       Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors.

Coordination and Collaboration

•       Ensure that EIE projects are implemented in close coordination with Relief Wind’s and other actors’ education projects

•       Establish good working relationship with respective MOEs and their offices at Federal and state levels, teachers, CECs, and children and ensure that they take the leading role in planning, managing and monitoring of project activities

•       Attend and play proactive role in attending existing working groups as required.

Report Preparation and Submission

•       Ensure timely project monitoring reports are produced and submitted to Program Manager for action

•       Together with the project officers and finance/grant staff verify completeness/ appropriateness of partners’ financial report

•       Provide technical support to local partners and government offices in order for them to prepare and submit required reports

•       Prepare timely and high-quality project progress and completion reports that meet donor requirements.

General statements of responsibility

•       Perform other related tasks as requested by his/her immediate supervisor.

•       Comply with all relevant Relief Winds policies and procedures with respect to child protection, Health & safety, fraud, whistle blowing, equal opportunities and other relevant policies

•       Account for Relief Wind’s assets and interests and safeguard from loss arising from fraud, waste, weak administration and poor value for money

•       Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects Relief Wind’s commitment to

safeguarding children in accordance the Child Protection Policy.

Project/Program Implementation

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

•       She or he provides technical assistance to project officers under the project using variety of techniques and approaches in a systematic and planned manner

•       Together with the team lead capacity building activities at national, regional and local level for government authorities, supervisors, CEC members, head teachers and teachers based on the capacity building plans and strategies,

•       Assist project officers develop clear plans, workable monitoring system, baseline data and reporting systems

•       Encourage project staff address key educational challenges such as poor capacity of teachers, girls’ enrolment and participation, and education of disadvantaged children (pastoralist children through innovative, cost effective and appropriate means

People Management, Mentoring and Development Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation

•       Together with the Project team and guidance of the Program Manager ensure that projects and components have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines

•       Plan and organize periodic project monitoring and take corrective actions, document and disseminate lessons and best practices

•       Ensure active involvement and participation of beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders including children in the process of project monitoring

Knowledge Management

•       Ensure that project officers are familiar with education policies and strategies, Relief Winds strategies, Quality Learning Environment tools and techniques Etc.

•       Work with technical resources among Relief Winds members to facilitate sharing and learning in good practices and leverage their support for strengthening education studies, assessments, innovations, advocacy and capacity building in favour of children.

RELIEF WINDS COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK DELIVERING RESULTS (SKILLED)

•         Maintains a broad strategic perspective at the same time as an awareness of the detail of a situation

•         Establishes clear and compelling objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance

•         Creates and applies measures and metrics to track performance

•         Holds others accountable for achieving results and challenges underperformance

•         Demonstrates financial awareness and a concern for cost effectiveness

•         Gives regular positive and constructive feedback to others

•         Identifies clear development needs and development plans through regular constructive reviews of their own performance (and their team’s where appropriate)

•         Creates space for others to learn and provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments when people are ready for them

•         Coaches’ others to learn from their experiences on the job and to use the resources available to them.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING (SKILLED)

•         Gathers the right information and uses critical thinking to make effective and timely decisions

•         Stays with a problem or challenge until a solution is reached or no longer reasonably attainable.

•         Knows when to involve others in a decision

•         Demonstrates awareness of the wider external influences that impact on decision making

•         Simplifies processes and procedures wherever possible

INNOVATING AND ADAPTING (SKILLED)

•       Suggests creative improvements and better ways of working

•       Seeks out and applies successful ideas from others to overcome challenges

•       Shifts tasks, roles and priorities to perform effectively under changing or unclear conditions

•       Applies lessons learned to enhance future ways of working

•         Delivers work that reflects a good knowledge and application of technical and professional standards

•           Keeps up to date with trends in their work area

•         Maintains ethical and professional behaviour in accordance with relevant codes of conducts

WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS(ACCOMPLISHED)

•         Enables people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives to contribute to positive outcomes

•         Breaks down silo working and challenges behaviours that are not collaborative

•         Knows when to follow and lend leadership to strengthen other leaders

•         Recognises when trust is broken and seeks to resolve conflict and re-establish trust

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education, Development / Social work Studies, Social Science, or other related fields.                                 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

•       Preference for candidates holding a master’s degree in education administration, Project Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related discipline.

•       Minimum of 6 years of professional experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or development agencies, including substantial field-based work.

•       At least 3 years of direct experience in managing Education in Emergencies (EiE) and protection programs or portfolios, preferably in crisis or conflict-affected settings.

•       Proven ability to lead and manage project teams, coordinate district-level implementation, and deliver results under time and resource constraints.

•       Postgraduate certification or formal training in Project Management and/or Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is highly desirable.

•       Demonstrated experience with donor compliance, results-based reporting, and working with multiple stakeholders, including government and local partner

Interested and qualified persons, with the required experience are invited to submit their application to human resource office via [email protected] by close of business on or before: 2nd June 2025.

Email subject: “Application for Project Manager -Kismayo”

Application must include ALL of the following:

-          Cover letter (1 page maximum)

-          CV including 3 references.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about Relief Winds, please visit www.reliefwinds.org

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our anti-harassment policy and child safeguarding policy- a document that outlines an organization's commitment to protecting children from harm and abuse, ensuring their safety and well-being.