JOB TITLE: Project Manager- Child Sensitive and Social Protection (CSSP)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme Operations

LOCATION: Kitwe

GRADE: 3

POST TYPE: National

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The overall goal of the Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) project is to make Social Protection programmes child sensitive by working with communities to make the programmes transparent, accountable and linked to social services. It is to build the knowledge and awareness on child sensitivity in the communities and among service providers and to influence the Zambian Government through advocacy and programming to make Social Protection child sensitive and reach the most deprived and marginalized children and their families, resulting in positive impact on the wellbeing of children.

The Project Manager – is responsible for the implementation and oversight of the child sensitive social protection strategies and programmes in Lufwanyama district and supervises all operations of the project. He/she will be responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting on project activities as well as conduct periodic project reviews with partners and identify necessary action for adjustments. The post holder provides technical assistance on CSSP to relevant stakeholders which include the District Welfare Committees (DWACs), Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs), Community Health Volunteers (CHV), but also the local government and local civil society organizations. Lastly, the manager is responsible to linking the project activities and results to district and national level advocacy and provide technical leadership in the topic of CSSP.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of programs and Operations

Staff directly reporting to this post: 4 (Two Project Officers-CSSP, 1 MEAL Officer-Child Protection and 1 Project Coordinator-Child Protection.

Budget Responsibilities: (Yes)

Role Dimensions: The incumbent will be communicating and relating with

Partners; JESUIT CENTRE FOR THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (JCTR) and Young Women Christian Association (YWCA)
External stake holders Governments Line Ministries at District level and various cooperating partners in the Social Protection technical working group
SCI Country Office
Member organizations- Save the Children Finland

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Program management

The Project Manager position will lead a strong institutional response to managing Save the Children’s programmes within the new Country Strategic Plan 2022-2024. A commitment to professional and systematic Project Cycle Management (PCM) underpins all of our programmes and therefore is a primary role of the project/ Programme Manager. Specifically, the Project Manager will be tasked with the following.

Operational Implementation:

Lead in the development and implementation of CSSP, consistent with the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), donor and Save the Children requirements.
Maintain a positive working relationship with relevant stakeholders that include DWAC, DHMTs, DACOs, and departments critical to promoting child sensitive social protection.
Ensure that the CSSP community, district level advocacy activities and response are linked to national level and vice visa.
Ensure and support the CSSP team to maintain excellent relationships with community leaders, DWACs, Neighborhood Health Committees, health workers, and community-based providers (SMAGs, CHWs), Block Extension Officers and Camp Extension Officers.
Supervises the CSSP programme staff, reviews performance objectives and evaluates performance of direct subordinates per Save the Children policies and procedures, in coordination with the Field Office Manager
Supervise the selection processes of vulnerable groups identified by sector stakeholders as eligible for public welfare and social protection programs and check its compliance with established rules, regulations and guidelines.
Organize and supervise advocacy campaigns meant to improve the condition of vulnerable groups across the programmes.

Technical Support and Capacity Building

Liaise and support the Programme Development and Quality (PDQ) team to develop plans for technical support, M&E, documentation of best practices and advocacy – as well as concept papers and project proposals for programme development.
Develop partnerships with the private sector, multilateral and bilateral Agencies on issues relevant to social protection.
Contribute to developing new projects and programs as well as manage existing projects in the area of child sensitive social protection.
Support the provision of technical and programmatic leadership to the CSSP team at the local and district level.
Contribute to Country Strategic Papers by providing socio-economic analysis recommendations to strengthen SCI response to child and social protection and other key social issues in the country.
Engage in policy dialogue and provide advisory services to CO leadership on identified social protection issues.
Elaborate a local strategy on inclusive social protection and monitor its implementation at the district level and produce consolidated reports thereof.
Organize and conduct capacity strengthening events directed at local level government staff and other partners on planning, delivery and monitoring of child and nutrition-sensitive activities under the SCT (DWACs, CWACs, NHC, and CDAW).

Budget management

Hold the responsibility of ensuring timely expenditure for planned activities for activities including those carried out by partners in program implementation.
Facilitates and monitors budget expenditures and compliance with partners.
Monitor budget utilization in accordance with donor and SCI guidelines.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Prepare high-quality and timely monthly/quarterly/annual documentation and reports, as required by Save the Children and donors.
Liaise with SC country office and member offices to inform national level activities and advocacy.
Contribute to research on reach of social protection to households with children who are vulnerable to stunting.
Participate in member-initiated calls and facilitate TA visits.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

University degree in social sciences, development studies or a comparable area with minimum 5-7 years’ experience in similar position and experience.
Experience in the delivery of social protection programmes using community-based approaches.
Project Cycle management skills, able to analyze, develop and follow up on project and action plans.
Fluency in written and spoken English with good report and proposal writing skills.
Understanding of and experience in working with Government departments and civil society partners.
Strong communication, interpersonal and presentational skills.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Good analytical and writing skills as well as strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
Strong networking and advocacy skills.
Willingness to be based in Kitwe for the duration of the project.
Willingness to travel within the project area of Lufwanyama district and to Lusaka as required.
Willing to work under pressure and work extra hours, when required.
Knowledge of local language(s) will be an added advantage.