Project Consortium Manager

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary:

IRC Ethiopia program is implementing an Integrated Multi-sectoral response to drought, conflict, and cholera-affected communities in Dawe Serer and Dawe Kachen woredas of East Bale zone Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The response aims to bring greater impact to the affected populations through WASH, multipurpose cash, agriculture, and Protection interventions aligns with the second strategic objective of the HRP focusing on facilitating access to integrated essential humanitarian services for vulnerable groups affected by both chronic and acute shocks.

The Consortium Manager will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the EHF/UNOCHA Funded multi sectorial emergency project and serve as the consortium focal point for the project at Zonal level. The Consortium Manager will ensure quality program implementation, including providing strategic guidance to field-based IRC and consortium staff and overseeing budget management, performance management, M&E, partnership management, and relationships with external stakeholders including government authorities, humanitarian working groups, and project partners. S/he will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all consortium partners and the donor. S/he will report to the Senior Program Manager will receive technical guidance from the Environmental Health manager, Livelihood manager and Addis based line Coordinators, and the grants and partnerships units.

Major responsibilities include:

Project Management

· Develop and lead a well-functioning consortium, built around collaborative leadership and project management, capitalizing on the expertise and capacities of all EHF/UNOCHA Funded Project partner and IRC.

· Take the lead in Zonal level project planning and coordination to ensure timely and quality implementation of all project activities in line with the program work-plan and in full coordination at Zonal level with Zonal and Woreda authorities.

· Organize periodic meetings to discuss project progress; record and follow up on the execution of agreed action points.

· Provide managerial direction and guidance in line with the project’s expected outcomes.

· Oversee key project planning deliverables using results-based management approaches and tools.

· With the support of the technical managers and Coordinators from Adama FO and AA develop specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (capacity building, gender equality, environmental sustainability) for the project.

· Coordinate with local authorities to facilitate the participation of local communities in the planning and implementation of activities and undertake periodic reviews of project activities to assess effectiveness, efficiency, achievement of results and compliance with procedures.

· Ensure all partners update and share project tools (work, procurement, staffing, spending and MEAL plans), 4W matrixes, updates, and reports on a monthly base.

· With support from SPM, Field Coordinator, technical mangers, TCs and Grants Unit, take lead in proposal development, review and compiling of member inputs.

· Ensure proper project and donor visibility well displayed, success stories and lesson learned collected in the project sites.

· In collaboration with the M&E colleagues, participate in project quality data collection; data analysis and interpretation; update ITT tracking in monthly base, ensure client feedback mechanisms properly emplaced and functioned, ensure project surveys done properly and exercises with the consortium team to inform the programming and advocate to the required bodies.

· Oversee day-to-day coordination and delivery of project activities in conjunction with staff and partners.

· Lead PIMs, partner review meetings, PCM in collaboration with other departments such as Programs, Finance, supply chain, grants, partnerships etc.

Communication and Reporting

· Ensure regular communication with the Senior Program, Field Coordinator, technical manager and TC’s regarding the EHF/UNOCHA Funded project progress and processes.

· Lead the coordination and planning of the Project coordination meeting at Zonal and Woreda. level, taking of the minutes and sharing with all the members.

· Represent the IRC on external stakeholders meeting, effectively communicating challenges, successes, and contextual changes throughout the course of the project at zonal level.

· Compile portions of program narrative and financial progress reports in coordination with the grants unit and finance to share with the donor.

· Compile and prepare quality IRC and partner weekly, monthly, quarterly, and periodic project progress reports, as well as final reports, and feed in other information as required by SPM, Field Coordinator, technical mangers, and Technical Coordinators as required.

· Maintain open and effective communication amongst the consortium, project team members government bodies, other partners, and community.

Financial Management

· In collaboration with the other program team, partner and finance team, review and monitor the project budget and activities as needed.

· In conjunction with the finance team, review partners’ financial reports, BvAs, spending plans and budget revisions.

Human Resources Management

· Work with the technical and field office leads to provide adequate HR oversight to the project team.

· Work in conjunction with Human Resource department on project staff performance, goal setting, Mid- year check and procedures and evaluation following the IRC standards.

· Conduct 1 to 1 meeting with direct reports and supervisor in a regular base.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Qualifications

· MA/MSc equivalent in Water resources and Development, Public Health, Environmental Health, Social Science, developmental studies, and/ or another related field of studies,

· Minimum of 5/3 years of professional work experience for BA and MA respectively.

· Has management and coordination skills (project management in consortium, country projects, multicultural technical teams, etc.).

· Previous experiences in translating analysis and evaluation into operational planning and strategy.

· Has excellent written and oral communications skills, and you have advanced knowledge of donors’ guidelines and procedures.

· Strong communication: networking and representation skills and you can collaborate with government officials and lead dialogue and negotiation.

· Demonstrated experience in humanitarian response, with specific experience in livelihoods and Food security and agricultural development approaches.

· Prior experience working in emergency settings or insecure environments preferred.

· Strong program/technical, team leadership skills, planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation skills

· Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties

· INGO experience required, experience with coordination systems or advocacy preferable.

Skills required:

· Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct data collection and analysis, implementation, advisory functions, training, and the transfer of technical knowledge and leadership skills to others.

· Proficiency in English, and Afaan Oromo is required.

· Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.

· Flexible and able to handle pressure well, has a strong sense of humor.