Program Manager (Chief of Party)

World Concern is a Christian global relief and development agency whose supporters’ faith compels them to extend opportunity and hope to people facing the most profound human challenges of extreme poverty. We serve nearly 6 million people in 18 countries, focusing on food security, child protection, education, maternal and child health, microfinance, vocational training, clean water and sanitation and disaster response.

The Intergenerational Deaf Education Outreach (IDEO) Project is implemented by World Concern Development Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) through four years (July 2011 – June 2015) in the provinces of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh and Ho Chi Minh City. The overall objective of the project is to assist young deaf children to integrate into mainstream society, by piloting an innovative joint family and institution-based delivery system comprising screening, family support, and preschool services. The project is funded by Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF Grant No. TF099058), a trust fund managed by the World Bank (WB). The total grant is USD 2,798,270.

Position:                  Program Manager (Chief of Party)
Location:                  Hanoi, Vietnam base with travel to project sites
Reports To:               Asia Area Director
Supervises:                Approximately 15 program staff and various consultants
Length of Contract:     1 year with possibility of renewal;estimated start date January 1, 2013

Purpose:  The Project Manager is responsible for (i) overall monitoring and supervision of the project for donor and World Concern compliance; (ii) ensuring technical support in Deaf area; (iii) coordinating with national and international consultants in all components to ensure the project’s successful implementation and the achievement of project targets; (iv) maintaining effective cooperating relationship with donor & partners.

Responsibilities: 
Management
- Provide management support to the project to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out planned activities; 
- Monitor grant budget utilization to ensure that project expenditures are in accordance with approved budget;
- Coordinate and ensure collaboration among the consultants working in each project component, and the project partners at national and local levels for the project’s effective implementation;
- Facilitate and work with main project stakeholders to develop and maintain an effective monitoring and evaluation system;
- Review, evaluate and analyze project progress and achievement against objectives and target indicators, and make necessary adjustments to ensure corrective actions are taken.
Technical:
- Coordinate project M&E process including baseline survey, mid-term and final evaluation, on-going monitoring and review etc.;
- Ensure technical support by team members in the area of Deaf and Sign Language for the project consultants and partners in all project components;
- Work with international and national specialists in Deaf Education and incorporate suitable models and experiences in preschool education for deaf children for applying in Vietnam;
- Coordinate the development of an Essential Knowledge Base to support training, monitor the efficacy of educational approaches for young deaf children, conduct demonstration of program mechanisms and outcomes, and devise assessment tools for language development of the child;
- Ensure the involvement and ownership of both the Deaf  and also MOET (Ministry of Education and Training) in this project;
- Participate in the selection process of international and national consultants, trainers (deaf and hearing) and project beneficiaries (Deaf children, Deaf adults, hearing signers etc.);
- Provide support in networking with global, regional and national deaf communities and related service providers.
Reporting
- Produce periodical project reports based on component reports as required by World Concern and donor in a timely manner;
- Ensure the project research and experience is well documented and communicated.
Representation
- Represent the project to government, partners, donors, visitors as needed;
- Disseminate lessons learned and advocate for more responsive and adapted approaches in preschool education for deaf children.
General accountability
- Comply with World Concern’s Child Protection Policy to ensure maximum protection for children;
- Comply with policies/regulations of World Concern, government and donors as needed.

Required Education, Skills & Experience:

1.University degree in education, social sciences or a related discipline and/or equal expertise in Deaf area;
2.Fluent written and verbal English and Vietnamese;
3.8 years of relevant working experience that includes demonstrated proven track record of successful project management for a comparable grant;
4.Experience in working with government grants and government partners at different levels in developing countries; Vietnam and/or Asia context experience beneficial;
5.Committed to work with, serve and learn from disadvantaged people;
6.Mature, able to lead and take on high level of responsibility, able to work independently and as a team member;
7.High degree of interpersonal skills;
8.Motivated, results oriented and hard working, ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience:

1.Substantial involvement with Deaf communities in Vietnam and other countries;
2.Substantial experience in Deaf education and networking, understanding of Deaf culture;
3.Fluent in Sign Language of the Deaf (Vietnamese and international);
Working Conditions:
1.Requires travel to different areas and regions of Vietnam.

2.Urban living conditions.

Deadline: 30th Jan 2013.
We will only consider applications received through: https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CRISTA&cws=3&rid=903.