Project Manager - Keeping Girls in School

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND

Project Manager - Keeping Girls in School

UNICEF/MLW/2013/053

DUTY STATION: UNICEF Lilongwe, Malawi
Level: L3
Duration: 364 days
Title: Project Manager - Keeping Girls in School (KGIS))

PURPOSE OF POST: 
To provide project management services for the implementation of the KGIS project. The incumbent for this position will provide all the necessary technical support in relation to coordination of KGIS activities during implementation.

In addition to managing KGIS activities, the incumbent shall also coordinate all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the KGIS initiative. The incumbent shall ensure active involvement of MoEST at all levels. 
REPORTS TO: 
Education Specialist
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Day to day management of the KGIS WASH project
(1) Continuous coordination with the MoEST, focusing on activities including, but not limited to: 
a. district orientation
b. school orientation
c. site visitations 
d. Steering Committee meetings
e. Material Development

(2) Follow up on activities in the different divisions/districts as above. 

2. Reporting
(1) Consolidate reports received from the schools through the DEM, EDM and MoEST HQ. 
(2) Draft reports to DfID in line with agreed project reporting guidelines.
(3) Coordinate follow ups on the outstanding action points arising from the reports.
(4) Share reports with quality control architectural firms for their appropriate action on gaps/challenges/defects identified in relation to the quality of the sanitation facilities under construction.

3. Monitoring & Evaluation
(1) School monitoring in cooperation with MoEST
a. Community involvement and commitment.
b. Construction progress.
c. Drilling progress.

(2) Monitor, forecast expenditure and inform DfID on monthly basis ensuring smooth running of activities.
(3) Track the log frame and making necessary follow ups with concerned stakeholders for their appropriate action on activities that are not in synch with the timelines.

4. Management of External Relationships
(1) DfID
a. Ensuring monthly updates to the donor on key developments on the project.
b. Sharing documentation on progress and expenditure on a monthly basis.
c. Consolidating and sharing challenges, constraints, risks and mitigation measures with the donor for information or action where necessary on a monthly basis.

(2) Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
a. Answer queries and provide requested information.
b. Arranging meetings on a monthly basis.
c. Ensuring planned activities are taking place.
d. Ensuring outputs are being met.

(3) Pakachere
a. Managing the PCA.
b. Following up on planned activities.
c. Ensuring activities are taking place.
d. Ensuring outputs are being met.
e. Coordinating the cooperation with the Material Development workgroup.

(4) Ministry of Information and Civic Education
a. Following up on planned activities
b. Ensuring agreed on outputs are being delivered
c. Coordinate the cooperation with the Material Development workgroup
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: 
Education:
a) Advanced University Degree, preferably a Master’s Degree or PhD in the social sciences, education, development studies or other relevant field of study;

Work Experience:
b) At least 5 years of experience working in the education sector on rural development initiatives particularly those targeting girls’ sanitation preferably in Malawi or Sub-Saharan Africa;
c) Demonstrated experience, clear understanding and familiarity with grant management in a project environment with a key focus on planning, implementation, stakeholder coordination & donor reporting;
d) Excellent communication and report writing skills.
e) Experience in rural infrastructure project implementation will be valuable
Works Arrangement:
Full Time Office based with Frequent Field travel
Duties & Tasks
a) Coordination of district and school orientation to ensure that stakeholders are involved in the implementation of the project.

Reports on the progress of the orientation and issues observed shall be prepared on a monthly basis in accordance with the intervals of the orientation meetings.

b) Monthly reports to DfID and other relevant stakeholders. The reports to include (but not limited to) the following information:
? Progress of construction and orientation/training.
? Challenges/constraints being encountered.
? Update on expenditure on the project up to the date of reporting.
? Forecast of expenditure for the next month.
? Recommendations on how to improve project implementation.

c) Field visit reports to UNICEF on the progress of construction, areas of concern and recommendations to improve rate and quality of implementation.

d) Any other activity as assigned by the supervisor which is essential for timely progress and quality of the KGIS Project




Competencies of Successful Candidate
i) Core Competencies (Required)
- Communication 
- Working with People 
- Drive for Result 

ii) Functional Competencies (Required)
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts 
- Leading and Supervising 
- Analyzing 
- Relating and Networking 
- Deciding and Initiating Action 
- Applying Technical Expertise 
- Planning and Organizing 
- Creating and Innovating 

How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, Performance Evaluation Report (if applicable), CV and Personal History Form (P-11 form) (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) on or before 14 December 2013 via e-mail address: hrmalawi@unicef.org

NOTE:
• UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.

UNICEF IS A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT