Project Manager (BE SMART) - Plan International

The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating project activities of two regions. That is, the Eastern and Oti Regions. He/she will also be responsible for bringing on board and working with other specialists and government protection agencies, (E.g. Social Welfare/Community Development, DOVVSU).

Child protection and safeguarding principles of collaboration, participation, transparency, and respect for women and children’s rights will be integrated into all aspects of this role. The post-holder will be based in Ho but travel to the project locations.

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:

"What" is done and "why", but not "how"; include indicators for success

 “BE SMART” Strategy and management

• Facilitate the work planning and management of the Be Smart Project in the Oti and Eastern regions.
• Ensure that project results are achieved and reported on through the project's Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system.
• Ensure that the Be Smart project delivers high-quality programming that is compliant with best practice as outlined in the Be Smart project proposal, Plan International Ghana Country Strategic and relevant Ghana government guidelines and policies.
• Manage partnerships and relationships with relevant stakeholders in project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting for effective linkages.

• Actively engage with stakeholders and government agencies involved in Be Smart implementation and formal protection agencies in Ghanain order to promote collaborative planning towards long term sustainable solutions.
• Support in engaging local partners for social mobilization, group formation and training under the Be Smart project.
• Facilitate and organize review meetings with the regional and national offices with stakeholders in collaboration with other relevant organisations.
• Liaise with other Technical Specialists and other project staff to ensure effective integration of Plan programmes.
• Ensure Gender is mainstreamed in all Be Smart related activities and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff and Plan associates to avoid gender discrimination.
• Ensure Safeguarding and Child Protection is mainstreamed in all Be Smart related activities.
• Manage the financial, logistical and reporting aspects of Be Smart partnership assuring compliance with Plan and donor reporting requirements.
• Actively participate in all network meetings (both local and international) to learn and share best practices for management decision-making.

Partnership and Networking

• Establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships primarily with the relevant agencies and stakeholders (GES, GHS, DOVVSU, SW/CD, CHRAJ)
• Organize and lead technical and coordination meetings between all stakeholders.
• Keep supervisors and other project staff informed of any relevant anticipated changes/developments.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, ensure ongoing monitoring and timely reporting of the project against project goals and planned results.
• In conjunction with the relevant persons, prepare Terms of Reference (TOR) for baseline and evaluation of the project and organise evaluations and learning reviews with consultants hired for the purpose.
• Compile, analyse, and disseminate, on a regular basis, reports to Country Management Team on the Be Smart project.
• Prepare and submit quality and timely periodic donor required reports to BDM.
• Work closely with the finance and grant departments to review and assess monthly accruals and disbursements to ensure compliance with donor guidelines.
• Monitor and update the project risk register regularly and manage them.

Others:

• Manage the performance of direct reports.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Indicators of success:

• An effective working relationship exists with the agency partners and other stakeholders.
• Timely delivery of quality project activities.
• Quality and timely periodic reporting (financial and narrative).
• Quality documentation of best practices on the Be Smart learning themes.
• Documentation of best practices of Be Smart activities.
• An effective monitoring system to track performance of local partners.
• Strong, motivated and performing project team

Dealing with Problems:

• The complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them
• Experience with in depth analysis of current issues on SGBV and providing innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated skills in dealing with the complexity of working with international and local NGO partners.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with comprehensive and demanding requirements of the donor.
• Effective decision-making regarding the most appropriate, effective and efficient approaches to ensure quality financial management, ensuring maximum alignment with donor requirements.
• Works with minimum supervision
• Analyse issues for decision-making to strengthen and support delivery of Be Smart programs that meets organizational requirements and refer to a higher manager for approval.
• Ability to develop and implement strategies to minimize project risks.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact.

Internal:

• Country Office (COs) and Project Areas: The position will collaborate with Programmes and Business Development and project staff including other Project Managers, technical specialists, M&E and finance staff at CO. (high level).
• There is medium contact with community members, children and other stakeholders to develop and implement project activities ( Medium)

External:

• Plan International Ghana, National Office
• Maintains high contact with Partner staff working on the Be Smart project activities in Oti and Eastern (high level)

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role's Objectives: Gained through education, training, & experience.

Knowledge and Experience:

• University degree in public health and at least 5 years experience in a health and protection-related field.
• At least 5 years of experience working in an international organization similar to Plan International.
• Strong understanding and proven application of management.
• A proven passion for innovation and a commitment to protection-focused programming as well as familiarity with current trends on SGBV.
• Fluency in English
• A successful track record in supervising, designing, coordinating, managing and implementing donor-funded projects.
• Proven commitment to mainstream gender and equality issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and the ability to use different communication media effectively, including email, telephone, Teams, Zoom, and written correspondence.
• Experience in designing integrated participatory strategies, community mobilization and capacity development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen, coach, mobilize others and develop effective relationships with internal and external colleagues, partners, volunteers and youth participation.
• Ability to work well with diverse team from cross-cultural and social contexts.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, finding innovative solutions to difficult and complex challenges.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work with deadlines and attend to projects and work processes.
• Energetic and collaborative spirit, with the ability to work independently and take initiative, and a willingness to develop new skills on the job.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail and willingness and ability to travel locally.
• Experience conducting research and evaluation of programs.
• Strong knowledge of the Rights of the Child and Safeguarding issues.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge in girls rights and protection-related issues
• Strong negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills.
• Excellent coordination and representation skills
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent report-writing skills
• Strong team-building and motivational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, and internet.

Behaviours:

• Promotes learning to influence high performance by Be Smart staff and collaborators.
• A process-oriented working style, with the ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to work independently
• A team player who demonstrates feminist leadership qualities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Creates a strong sense of purpose within the portfolio and with stakeholders.
• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour.
• Sound judgment and decision-making in complex situations.
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
• Ability to build solid networks