Senior Project Manager

Job Description

BACKGROUND

Present in Sierra Leone since 1999, IRC supports Sierra Leonean institutions – government, civil society, community-based organizations, and private sector – to provide improved social services, decrease youth unemployment and mitigate gender-based violence. The IRC does this through programs and partnerships designed to improve the lives of women, youth, and children by implementing Health, Education, and Women and Girls’ Protection and Empowerment (WGPE) programming. IRC. IRC has a Country Program office in Freetown, a Regional Field Office in Kenema, Field Offices in Kono and Bo, and a satellite office in Kailahun. IRC will be working through civil society partners in Falaba district, and Karena district in the northern region of Sierra Leone.

The IRC in partnership with UNICEF Sierra Leone will be implementing a whole-school approach project to support the achievement of ending School-Related Gender-Based Violence in Sierra Leone. This project will seek to address the problem of SRGBV using an approach that will be guided by recommendations from 6 domains for minimum standards for a whole-school approach to minimizing SRGBV based on the UNICEF report on findings from school-related gender-based violence action research in schools and communities in Sierra Leone as well as IRC’s long experience of working in schools and communities in Sierra Leone on GBV and its consequences, especially for school-aged girls. The project will align itself with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education’s objective 4 in its Education Sector Plan 2022 – 2026[1] which specifically seeks to “Provide safe, healthy, and conducive educational environments”.

Job Summary Reporting to the WGPE Coordinator, the Senior Project Manager will provide technical supervision of, and technical support to the UNICEF-funded child protection and education program. The Senior Project Manager will assume responsibility for the overall coordination and management of all activities implemented under the project (covering Kenema and Kono districts). This will include direct management of project managers based in each site, management of project funds and other resources, coordination with other IRC programs, and representation with external stakeholders.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Position Reports to WGPE Coordinator Position directly supervises: Project Managers (Kono, Kenema) Internal: District Field Manager, Project M & E Manager, Project M&E Officers, Project Senior Officers, Education Technical Advisor, Child Protection and Women’s Protection and Empowerment TAs External: The Donor, The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, The Ministry of Gender, and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), the District Councils, International Non-Governmental Organizations, National Non- Governmental Organizations, other key partners, and stakeholders.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Program implementation and quality Oversee the day-to-day project implementation including logistics support and organization of activities - trainings, meetings, and workshops for staff, clients, and other stakeholders, in line with IRC and donor requirements. Supervise and manage the Project Managers, building their capacity in project implementation and ensuring a positive team spirit is fostered that encourages innovative and quality programming. Supervise and oversee the establishment of safe and confidential spaces for reporting and information sharing within schools. Technically support the implementation of training and curricula in safe spaces. I Lead the development of new/regular Child Protection Assessments in the project including revising tools, directing the project staff on how to conduct these assessments, and preparing reports. Oversee capacity-building approaches for community leaders, government officials, and project staff, including strengthening referrals and care processes for child survivors. Regularly monitor the school and community facilitators, the CP/GBV Focal points, and community Case Management Workers. Ensure that the program utilizes standardized protocols, policies, and guidelines, as recommended by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs. Support the WGPE coordinator to develop work plans, spending plans, and procurement plans. Participate in internal coordination and management meetings to promote effective and efficient information sharing, problem-solving, and decision-making. Ensure all stakeholders are provided with updated information about the project. With support from the programs team, ensure accountability to beneficiaries, gender sensitivity, and inclusion are adequately addressed in the project. Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary. Monitor progress toward the objectives and intended outputs of the project using routine data, spot checks, observation, and other methodologies. Lead and contribute to regular progress (narrative) and financial reports, both internally and for donor submission. Staff Development and Support Actively participate in capacity-building opportunities and share learning and experiences with project partners and the wider Project team. Actively pursue professional development opportunities based on performance and development objectives and liaise with supervisor for support on identifying and realizing these where possible.

Representation and Advocacy Represent the team at any relevant donor, district level, and chiefdom-level coordination meetings as and when required. Advocate for the needs, priorities, and interests of adolescents at the community and district levels where required in line with the IRC’s approach to working with, supporting, and empowering women and girls. Other Undertake tasks as requested by Supervisor.

[1] Sierra Leone Education Sector Plan 2022 - 2026 | UNICEF Sierra Leone

Qualifications