Zonal Program Coordinator

Job Vacancy

Imagine1day International Organization was founded in 2007 by Canadian philanthropists Summer and Chip Wilson to ensure that all Ethiopian children have access to quality education, free of foreign aid, by 2030.

Working under Ethiopia’s public education system and in partnership with various government education offices, we implement programs focusing on:

• Education (TARL approach) in emergencies
• Leadership development
• WASH activities in schools
• Community development
• Emergency response programs

We are looking to fill the vacant position of zonal program coordinator in the Gedeo zone for the Teaching at Right Level (TaRL) project implementation.

We seek a senior, energetic program coordinator to lead and coordinate various education projects, particularly in boosting literacy and numeracy in targeted zones.

Job Overview

The TaRL Program Coordinator will provide strategic direction and ensure the overall quality of implementation.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating TaRL Project interventions in targeted woredas
• Providing guidance and support for TaRL program staff
• Ensuring timely reporting of responses in target woredas

This position involves frequent contact with children and the community; therefore, imagine1day has strict screening procedures for candidates.

Main Responsibilities

With guidance from the regional program manager, the program coordinator will be responsible for:

1. Program planning, coordination, management, and leadership
2. Program finance and administration
3. Program monitoring, evaluation, and documentation development
4. Building partnerships

1. Program Planning, Coordination, Management, and Leadership

• Collaborating with the regional program manager to develop project implementation plans
• Providing technical and management leadership in Education (TARL approach)
• Participating in project planning sessions
• Contributing to new program proposals based on community needs
• Ensuring timely implementation of planned activities
• Coordinating project visits and donor monitoring
• Organizing training and capacity building for staff
• Planning and executing projects in accordance with financial policies
• Identifying needs and gaps in programming
• Supervising evaluations of new situations or existing programs
• Monitoring and evaluation activities
• Working closely with the M&E officer for data collection
• Preparing quality reports as per donor requirements
• Coaching and mentoring project coordinators and staff
• Providing technical support to program staff and partners
• Building capacity for teachers and school principals
• Ensuring accurate reporting from woreda and kebeles/sites
• Facilitating donor field visits
• Supporting and coordinating other projects in the target area
• Undertaking other relevant tasks as directed

2. Program Finance and Administration

• Ensure the financial, human, and asset aspects of the program are planned, implemented, controlled, monitored, and reported in accordance with the HR, finance, and administration policies and guidelines of the organization.
• Participate in the selection, training, development, and performance of staff that will report to the zonal program coordination offices.

3. Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Documentation Development

• Develop project monitoring and evaluation plans and coordinate the project’s monitoring, evaluation, learning, and documentation with program staff and partners.
• Identify program gaps and propose solutions for challenges in communication with the regional program manager and technical staff.
• In partnership with signatory offices, coordinate the program field visit, monitoring, and evaluation by the donors.
• Develop quality program or project reports and communicate them to internal and external stakeholders, donors, clusters, and regional staff by the project proposal or agreements and standard reporting formats.
• Systematically coordinate the documentation of project inputs, outputs, results, and impacts of the program or projects.
• In collaboration with the communication departments, coordinate the development and communication of case histories, lessons learned, and best experiences.

4. Building Partnerships

• Create strong partnerships with government partners, NGOs, and the community by establishing strong channels of communication and maintaining relationships aligned with the organizational vision and values.
• Systematically exchange and communicate Imagine 1 Day’s vision, mission, and values with partners and communities in the respective zones, woreda, and communities.

Requirements, Qualifications, and Experience

• University degree or master’s at an advanced level in fields such as educational planning and management, educational leadership, educational psychology, sociology, social work, psychology, social anthropology, community development, development studies, and related fields.
• Extensive work experience relevant to Education (TARL approach) in both development and emergencies may be considered a replacement for formal qualifications at an advanced level.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible humanitarian and development work experience in education, Education (TARL approach), and projects and program coordination, including in emergencies.
• Previous experience of at least three years in Education program coordination in an international or national NGO or UN agency.
• Familiarity and experience working with government counterparts.
• Strong knowledge and experience in establishing Education coordination architecture.
• Well-trained in school leadership, education, and Education (TARL approach), minimum standards, and result-based project cycle management.
• Qualitative and quantitative report writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong skills and passion for supporting and supervising education program offices and field staff, creating a strong team with a transformational leadership mindset.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and the Internet.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English, the local language, and Amharic.
• Experience working with the Education Bureau and within South Ethiopia regional states, zonal, and woreda levels will be an asset.

Reports to

Imagine1day Regional Program Manager

Duty Station

West Omo zone, Konso zone, and South Omo zone, based at Turmi

Employment Condition

Contract for 1 year with the possibility of extensions

Number of Positions: Two (2)

Salary: As per the organization’s salary scale

Skills Required:

• Education / Teaching / Training
• Health / Medical
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development