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Job Title:   Project Manager – Play and Learn Project   

Organisation: Finn Church Aid (FCA)

Funding Source: LEGO Foundation

Duty Station:  Yumbe, Uganda

Reports to: Area Manager

About US:

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest international aid organization in Finland. We operate in 13 countries where the needs are most dire. We work with the poorest people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions. FCA work is based on promotion of human dignity and fundamental human rights and freedom, and FCA’s operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination and responsibility. With funding from the LEGO Foundation, FCA Uganda is now looking for competent persons to fill the following positions:

POSITION:      Project Manager – Play and Learn Project (1 VACANCY)

REPORTS TO: Area Manager

DUTY STATION           :             Yumbe

Job Summary:  The Play and Learn Project Manager who serves as the overall field based technical focal person for Play and Learn Project will perform both as a project implementer and also project’s most senior member at field level who will under immediate supervision of the Area manager. The incumbent will actively lead quality implementation of all the components of the innovative Play and Learn Project activities.

S/he ensures timely, efficient and high quality implementation of all project components, financial budget control, and effective and inclusive involvement of beneficiaries and stakeholders throughout the project cycle.

Participate and oversee the School Bus curriculum development and implementation, together with the project and education team. Thus, creation of teaching and training materials are a must.

Be part of the School Bus team throughout the implementation of the activities in the selected villages, directly engaging with the target communities, and managing the project team, including Teachers without Borders education experts. He/she will be 100% part of project implementer

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Provision of strategic technical guidance and leadership to the implementation:

• Lead the Play and Learn project team in planning and implementation of approved activities in the target communities.
• Take lead in identification of project beneficiaries using the agreed criteria for selection and strategically and analytically ensure appropriate placement in and transitioning to AEP and/or formal education systems of beneficiaries
• Ensure that the planning and scheduling of the project activities promotes efficiency.
• Monitor application of functional learning approach and play based pedagogy during teaching and learning
• Ensure efficient delegation of duties amongst staff, provide timely and relevant support to all project members to effectively deliver on the specific roles.
• Continuously ensure engagement with teachers and plan for teachers’ training on functional and play based pedagogy in the targeted schools.
• Actively participate/lead in review meetings with relevant project teams to cross check on implementation progress, gaps/challenges and come up with possible solutions and way forward for smooth implementation of the skills and knowledge acquired during training on School Bus approaches

Provision of strategic technical guidance and leadership to the implementation:

• Lead the Play and Learn project team in planning and implementation of approved activities in the target communities.
• Take lead in identification of project beneficiaries using the agreed criteria for selection and strategically and analytically ensure appropriate placement in and transitioning to AEP and/o formal education systems of beneficiaries
• Ensure that the planning and scheduling of the project activities promotes efficiency.
• Monitor application of functional learning approach and play based pedagogy during teaching and learning
• Ensure efficient delegation of duties between, and timely and relevant support, to all project team members to effectively deliver on the specific roles.
• Continuously ensure engagement with teachers and plan for teachers’ training on functional and play-based pedagogy in the targeted schools.
• Actively participate/lead in review meetings with relevant project teams to cross check on implementation progress, gaps/challenges and come up with possible solutions and way forward for smooth implementation of the skills and knowledge acquired during training on School Bus approaches
• Ensure buy in from, and information sharing with, project stakeholders, including parents and broader communities on the project approaches
• Ensure complementarity and coordination with other FCA project activities and harmonization with the overall education programme of FCA

Budget Management and control responsibility:

• Take full responsibility of quality and timely budgeting of monthly and quarterly activities to ensure smooth follow-up of project activities funds
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of the project expenditure to minimise the risk of unapproved expenditure, over or under spending on the project and conduct regular financial review to determine BVA
• Ensure efficient and non-wasteful project financial resource and maximise the benefit of the available funds to the beneficiaries
• Develop a procurement plan, well aligned with implementation schedules and donor guidelines and ensure approval for timely acquisitions of all the project items/materials and equipment for timely and quality implementation
• Management of operations and activities of the designated project, ensuring that activity and financial plans are respected in line with the organisation’s and donor financial management requirements.

Monitoring and reporting requirement on the progress of project activities.

• Develop a clear and realistic implementation and monitoring plan and ensure accurate and timely documentation of all activities to generate regular high quality reports, covering all activities outputs and outcomes, shared best practices, learnings, technical reflections and ways forward.
• Work very closely with MEAL team and the research partner to design data collection tools, project monitoring, evaluation and learning tools for the project.
• Ensure regular sharing of learning and best practice with the wide organisation team for possible scale up.
• Ensure implementation of activities are on track and timely communicate and suggest option for any deviation from the plan and adjustments as required by potential contextual changes

Coordination and collaboration

• Identify all the project stakeholders and ensure their appropriate involvement in the project implementation cycle.
• Actively coordinate with key stakeholders including OPM, UNHCR, District Officials, Local leaders at the Sub-Counties , RWC’s, VECs, parents, teachers and community for effective and quality implementation of project activities.
• Take full responsibility of ensuring all the stakeholders understand the project approach, objectives, target beneficiaries, selection criteria and what is expected of them right at the initial stage of project implementation
• Represent FCA in external/internal coordination meetings with other relevant sector organizations and network such as the settlement education sector working group, district education working group.
• Take responsibility for the development of new project proposals intended to extend the life span of the project;
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate for the Finn Church AID(FCA) Project Manager – Play and Learn Project job placement should hold a Degree in Education (Mandatory). Teaching experience in primary is an added advantage
• Demonstrated strong experience in Accelerated Education program (AEP), and implementation of education programs for Out of school children is a plus (minimum 3 years)
• Four years of experience in managing Education Programs, preferably in a refugee setting
• Clear understanding and application of functional’ and play based PEDAGOGY is essential Experience in conducting trainings for stakeholders and community engagement
• Knowledge in current trends and innovations in Education in Emergencies (EiE), especially in AEP and Play Based Learning approaches
• Proven experience and capacity in project management (PMER), including project financial management.
• Strong report writing skills
• Proven stakeholders management experience
• Proven team management and orientation skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment with both technical and non-technical staff
• Willing to reside in Yumbe
• Excellent inter-personal and inter-cultural skills

How to Apply:

All interested applications should send a cover letter and a CV (not more than 3 pages) with at least three referees and a daytime telephone contact, addressed to: The Human Resource and Administration Manager, Finn Church AID, Uganda Country Office. P.O. Box 21826 Kampala, Roche Close – Off Tank Hill Rd, Plot 1495 Muyenga, Uganda. Email applications should be in one file attachment (Ms Word or PDF) mentioning the position title in the subject to Ugaco.hr@kua.fi Please do not attach academic documents when you apply online

Deadline: 21st January 2022.

NB:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Finn Church Aid is committed to keeping children safe at all levels of its program operations, so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from all forms of abuses. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards, adherence to Child Safeguarding Policy including background checks
• FCA does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents.

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