Engagement and Influence Lead 65 views4 applications

PACT is a US-based Non-Governmental organization that has been engaged in a number of poverty alleviation and development programs in Ethiopia since 1996.  PACT’s unique contribution as a development partner lies in the vitality, breadth and sectoral composition of its development programs.

The Engagement and Influence lead leads on the day to day delivery of the Civil Society Support Program at different level to build on the experience and knowledge generated under CSSP1, and to go further in supporting the relationship between learning and behavior change in both government and civil society towards practical changes for harder to reach people. This includes work on areas which may have been under-supported by CSSP1 – such as capacity development for charities and societies with a mandate for working on human rights.

The engagement and Influence lead required to represent the program and facilitate strong, dynamic and transparent relationship building with local civil society, government and other relevant actors and maximize the impact of their engagement with the program.

The responsibility of Engagement and Influence lead is development of the learning and engagement strategy for a selected theme, to translate this strategy into an Action Plan, and to oversee implementation of the plan.

The Engagement and Influence Lead will work under the direction of the Engagement and Advocacy lead and will ensure and support the implementation of the CSSP 2 project activities contributing to the program goals at region level.

Job Responsibility #1: Staff Management

• Provide regular support and supervision to staff under his/her direct line management. This includes (but is not limited to) the formulation and follow up of individual work plans (with agreed indicators of achievement) based on project work plans and/or job descriptions. It also includes regularly scheduled supervision and performance assessment and management meetings to assess progress against agreed outputs
• Build the technical capacity of staff under direct line management and delegates tasks for the efficient performance of activities

Job Responsibility #2: Grant Management

• In collaboration with CD and Grants unit, lead the development of sound selection criteria and guidelines for identifying partners and selecting IP’s for funding and partnership.
• In collaboration with CD and Grant unit, lead the technical pre-award survey and participate in the pre-award activities in his/her area of intervention
• Ensure that project proposals submitted by partner organizations  meet agreed evaluation criteria
• Provide advice and guidance to partners with regard to technical, human, commodity and financial matters and reporting requirements.

Job Responsibility #3: Project Management

• Responsible for overseeing the execution of CSSP 2 project in a timely and cost effective manner and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement which Pact Ethiopia entered with partners
• Ensure adherence to organizational policies, procedures and guidelines
• Ensure project budget is prepared in accordance to the schedules, formats, annual dates and deadlines as adopted in the general agreement Pact entered with partners
• Develop work plans at office and individual level
• Ensure production of high quality reports in a timely manner for Donor, Government and other stakeholders
• Perform a full range of consultative, advisory, information gathering, and analysis services on issues related to the  project
• In conjunction with the Program, MERL and CD unit, participate in the development and maintenance of a monitoring and evaluation system to evaluate progress and impact of Pact CD projects in their contribution to achieving set objectives
• Ensure production of high quality reports in a timely manner for Donor, Government and other stakeholders
• Ensure all project staff adheres to organizational filing and documentation processes
• Regional value for money and effectiveness measures implemented in the region
• The quality of returns and reports to the center, in particular related to progress, impact, MEL, financial / grant management and control, risk management
• The effectiveness and robustness of CSO grantee oversight measures and mechanisms necessary to safeguard the regional hub share of the grant funds

Job Responsibility # 4: Coordination

• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings with project teams, participate in wider coordination meetings (as per the agreed organizational meeting schedule)
• Participate in coordinated monitoring visits as and when deemed necessary.
• In collaboration with the program head, arranges experience sharing visits among implementing partners for the sharing of best practices in the project implementation.

Job Responsibility #5: Strategic Planning

• Participate in the formulation of strategic and policy decisions related to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of all health projects
• Monitor the appropriateness of the CSSP 2 project activities and/ or approaches and propose changes for improvement
• Take initiative in identification, formulation and pursuance of new business development opportunities within the platform

Job Responsibility #6: Networking, Advocacy and Representation

• Establish effective working relationship with Regional  government,  partners and other stakeholders
• Establish communication systems with partners to ensure an enabling environment for partnership
• Keep abreast of developments in CSSP 2 program (policy and working guidelines, standards and frameworks) including service standards, best practice examples in-country and internationally, and lead documentation of experience and lessons learned in country.
• Represent CSSP 2 project and Pact in key internal and external meetings as deemed necessary

Job Responsibility #7: Other Functions

• Performs any other related duties that may be assigned by the immediate supervisor

Requirement and Qualification

 EDUCATION/TRAINING

• First Degree or Masters in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, development studies or in other related fields.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in  , managing, coordination, implementation, capacity development, monitoring and evaluation of  programs/projects

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Proven human management experience
• Significant experience of building the capacity of CSO/NGO grant recipients at all stages of the grant process from design to closure.
• Ability to adapt and implement back office programme management functions, particularly in relation to grant and downstream partner management
• Maintain regular communication with and updating of key regional government stakeholders to enhance solid partnership and active engagement of government in the program.
• A thorough understanding of costing, forecasting and budget management issues in the British Council donor funded grant management context; strong experience of applying corporate governance.
• Technical relevant to CSSP 2 project
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with partners and Government stakeholders
• Good interpersonal communication skill and ability to effectively liaise with staff, government and other stakeholders
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Demonstrated analytical and report writing skills
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks
• Proficiency in word processing, spread sheet and DBase skills

COMPETENCIES

• Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, adaptability, building commitment, coaching, planning and organizing, pro-active problem solving.