Project Manager

The Opportunity - Project Manager

This position is responsible for overall project planning, implementation and management and for achieving project’s objectives of the Project “Bridging the digital divide for ethnic minority children” in Dien Bien Dong District, Dien Bien province. In this project, we will partner with Education sector at national, provincial and district levels as well as Library For All (an social enterprise under Save the Children Australia) to develop and pilot a child-friendly reading application as a sustainable solution to bridge the ‘digital divide’ to support Vietnamese children, especially EMC, in easy and unlimited access to reading materials, and aid their learning continuity even during disruptions to regular schooling, such as in a pandemic, as well as improving their reading habits and skills. It will also provide caregivers with tools to help their children's learning, and allow teachers to track children's progress from a distance while providing them with virtual support for teaching.

The post holder is expected to work in close coordination with Program Manager and local partners to ensure effective, efficient and cost-sensitive implementation of the project activities in the assigned geographical location.

This post is also expected to ensure that the project activities are consistent with SCI and Members’ programming principles and approaches, draw on good practices and lessons learned, enable children to attain their rights and are compliant with donor regulations.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Key Responsibilities

I.      Management of project:

1. Management of project activities

• Oversee the management of the project “Bridging the digital divide for ethnic minority children”.
• Directly manage the sub-grants agreements of partners to ensure effective program implementation;
• Provide support and supervision to Dien Bien Dong Department of Education and Training (DOET, project’s main partner) to ensure quality, participatory, effective, efficient and cost-sensitive planning, implementation, monitoring/ reviewing, reporting and evaluation processes of activities in the project areas, with and by partners;
• Develop Project Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), Budget Phasing, Procurement Plan and ensure they are match to each other. Regularly review these plans and make necessary adjustments if needed.
• Liaise and manage relationships and contacts with key project partners including provincial government agencies and local partners;
• Work closely with Library for All to ensure the quality and timeline of application localisation and development.
• Liaise with SCIT Project Manager and other related stakeholders to ensure the match fund and joint effort to support the ANCP project will be done on track and with quality.
• Apply and documentation of Quality Benchmark using to ensure the quality of the project.
• Ensure the achievement of operational and program quality KPIs.

2. Staff management

• Provide direct supervision to Project Officer (and Project Assistant/ Intern if any) to ensure the project team works productively in field implementation;
• Work together with project team’s member(s) to identify clear performance objectives for each member including capacity building, support and motivate them to develop and implement their plans to achieve their objectives.
• Provide direct coaching and mentoring to project staff in the implementation of project activities and facilitate their technical capacity building if possible, or seeking for technical capacity from available resources (Program Manager/Coordinator).

3. Financial management

• Ensure the effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources in order to keep cost-efficiency of the actions;
• Manage project budgets including developing, reviewing, cash forecast, and phasing budgets;
• Reviewing monthly financial reports and listing of project expenditures.
• Monitor partners’ budgets, burn rate and advise Program Manager of any anticipated problems;
• Facilitate the delivery of direct finance and procurement management support to implementing partners by integrating finance and procurement orientation during kick-off meeting with partners, organizing a regular finance visit and if needed organizing a finance and procurement training to partners during project implementation.
• Ensure that SCI finance and procurement policies and procedures are strictly followed by project staff and implementing partners.

4.  Monitoring and evaluation

• Lead project-level M&E, including regular monitoring visits to partners and the project mid-term review and end line study to ensure project activities are implemented as per work-plan;
• Lead development of case studies and other project materials;
• Maintain database, records for case studies, photos and other data for project planning and documentation;
• Collate reports from project partners, Project Officer and produce the regular internal and donor reports as well as project updates for submission to senior managers.

II.    Contribution to Programme development

1.     Education Portfolio development

• Contribute to the development of SC Vietnam strategic direction in education sector by providing inputs to the CSP, and the thematic strategy in coordination with Education Program Manager and staff involved in education program
• Explore and maintain relationships with SC members with interest in education and work closely with Technical Assistance (TA) team from SC members and SCI for program development
• Take part into the development of education project proposals in coordination with SC member TA, Education Program Manager, Education TA and education project staff to develop the project concept and with Finance team to develop project budget.
• Actively engage in education program portfolio fund raising in coordination with EPM, Award Manager, PDQA and SC members designated staff and TAs
• Ensure that recommendations from beneficiaries, government partners, and donors are considered in education program development
• Work closely with MEAL Officer to capture education project impact and lessons, feedback from beneficiaries and ensure these are integrated in education program development

2.     Technical assistance

• Ensuring project implementation quality and further develop the program in line with Education Program strategic direction and long-term planning;
• Be updated on and follow recent and cutting-edge developments in the international and national community in regards to Education common approaches;
• Provide technical assistance in terms of Education common approaches, especially the technical knowledge of the project, to staff members and to partners on approaches and implementation methods consistent with acknowledged good practice to achieve sustainable results;                               
• Support Education Program Manager with inputs on Country Annual Plan and Country Annual Report.

3.     Coordination, representation, advocacy and networking

• Support engagement and communication with Save the Children Member and donor on project progress with thematic lead;
• Support national level project activities, including advocacy and coordination;
• Serve as the main contact to represent the project in operation locations and maintain effective links with local partners at all levels to facilitate implementation, sustainability and scalability of the project;
• Maintain effective collaborations with other partners and organizations and related projects in the same provinces for better integration and coordination;
• Build and maintain effective partnerships and networks with relevant technical groups, civil society groups, NGOs, and UN agencies for effective implementation and scalability of the project;
• Regularly coordinate and collaborate with other sector/thematic teams to strengthen programmatic synergies and impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree or higher in community development, social development or related field;
• English certificates if any.
• Any qualifications about project management will be a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• At least 7 years’ experience in an NGO environment, including experience in implementing programs for children in development contexts;
• Experience of working with local government;
• Be sensitive, updated and interested in technology issues, as this project is about application development.
• Experience in promotion of Education new methods, education – related innovation or similar
• Experience in working with disadvantaged children, especially ethnic minority children;
• Excellent organisational skills, including time management, ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
• Willing to travel with frequency of at least once a month in normal condition (3 – 4 days per time).
• Solid experience in knowledge/experience of effective budget monitoring;
• Experience in advocacy implementation;
• Good understanding of challenges facing vulnerable children and communities in Vietnam;
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, to motivate and inspire team work;
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think strategically;
• Excellent English language and narrative writing skills: donor reports, proposals development…
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles

Desirable

• Understanding and interest in Education technology, education application development, IT or related topics.
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness;
• Be both self-confident and humble;
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document and use format. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at:

Job Description - Hanoi - Dien Bien - ANCP Project Manager - National Only (210004KO) (taleo.net)

If you have any issues with applying via our system, please send email explaining your troubles to [email protected]

Closing Date for Application: 14^th July, 2021

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.