CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES LESOTHO
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT(ECD)
JOB OPPORTUNITY
CHILDCARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT(ECD) – PROJECT MANAGER
Reports to: Program Quality Manager
About Catholic Relief Services (CRS):
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than one hundred countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
Job Summary:
The purpose of this role is to manage, coordinate and ensure successful implementation of the activities for the new ECD project “Catalysing Quality Sustainable and Replicable Day-care Services in Lesotho project” to achieve the intended project outcomes and targets. To ensure transformation of the quality of care at 30 Day-care centres in Maputsoe and Thetsane industrial settlements in the Maseru and Leribe Districts: resulting in improved nutrition, health, and developmental outcomes for children 0-4 years. through an affordable and replicable model of quality day-care services.
The project manager will among others develop detailed project implementation plans, conduct trainings, provide supportive supervision to day-care centres, monitor progress towards deliverables, monitor the project budget, compile project progress reports (quarterly, biannually and annually).
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- You will lead technical project implementation, budget management, monitoring, and reporting activities throughout the project cycle in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise staff, including consultants and contracted staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Develop a ProFrame and Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP). Oversee DIP implementation to achieve the goals of the project. Coordinate workplans of staff, consultants and contracted staff to ensure progress along DIP and meeting of project milestones.
- Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project life cycle. Support accountability by working closely with MEAL Officer in coordinating project MEAL activities following MEAL Policies and Procedures. Proactively identify issues and report them to inform adjustments to the plans and implementation schedules.
- Engage and strengthen partnerships with relevant ECD stakeholders, government stakeholders, and private partners, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and techniques.
- Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN platforms, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors Education and ECD sectors.
- Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material, and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners and contractors on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
- Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of day care center caregivers and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality child care services.
- Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
- Ensure that child protection and safeguarding mechanisms are in place within target day-cares. This includes risk mitigation measures and linkages with key government agencies for referrals, if needed.
- Prepare quarterly success stories for internal and external stakeholders.
Preferred qualifications and experience
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Education or any related field.
- Minimum of 5 years work experience with an INGO, UN Agencies, Local NGOs, Government, or donor agencies.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project management.
- Undergraduate degree with 7 or more years of relevant experience in ECD or education may be considered.
- Organized and proactive, able to create and execute plans for complex goals.
- Ability to lead teams, and drive achievement of ambitious goals and targets.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Computer literate.
- Ability to work under pressure, multi-task and meet deadlines.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
Supervisory responsibilities:
- Will provide direct supervision to Technical Advisor (Business Management and Entrepreneurship).
Required languages:
- Fluency in both Sesotho and English
Submission:
Please note that the position is only open to applicants who are Citizens of Lesotho. Interested candidates should submit CV, cover letter and certified copies of academic qualifications, no later than October 28th, 2022, at 14:00 by email to [email protected] with the subject line: CHILDCARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT(ECD) – PROJECT MANAGER. APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF THE SUBJECT LINE DOES NOT INDICATE THE POSITION. HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Please be advised that CRS requires its employees to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, all successful candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be required to evaluate their behaviours related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
Disclaimer: This job advertisement is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.