Save the Children SA New Ongoing Recruitment

In partnership with the Elma Foundation, Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) implement a project for the management of the Mentoring Programme as a component of the Community-based Teacher Recruitment Programme. SCSA will create a professional nurturing environment for 100 student teachers in Thabo Mofutsanyana through facilitating and supporting 20 schools to host student teachers and by providing support to student teachers by professional mentors. SCSA will through this project provide new entrants into the profession, particularly young people, effective professional support “scaffolding” for holistic professional and personal growth so that they are motivated to complete the course and stay in the profession.

Job Title: Education Project Manager
Grade: 4
Fixed Term: 42 months fixed term contract
Reports to: Free State Provincial Manager
Base: QwaQwa, Free State Province
Child Protection Level: 3
Travel Requirements: Travel in Free State province, some national
Budget Responsibilities: In excess of R1 million per year
Asset Responsibilities:  Own assets and those used by others
External Representation: Regular
The Education Project Manager will be based in the Free State Provincial office and oversee the implementation of the project at the local level. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing relevant government and external partnerships at National, Provincial, District and local level. He/she will work under the supervision of the Free State Provincial Manager, and in close collaboration with the Education Programme Manager and the MEAL officer assigned to the project.

Key Accountabilities

• Design the implementation plan for the Mentoring Project
• Manage the planning, implementation, coordination and monitoring of project activities to achieve results against set objectives
• Manage the engagement of external consultants and internal project staff as relevant
• In collaboration with other stakeholders identify 20 schools for the placement of 100 student teachers
• Recruit, orient, supervise and monitor the activities five External Mentors
• Orient all stakeholders, including mentees, school principals and heads of department,  on the Mentoring Program
• Coordinate quarterly training sessions for student teachers and the annual parental involvement events
• Ensure lessons learnt are documented and shared with all relevant stakeholders
• Co-ordinate the development of resources and materials required for the project activities
• Supervise and provide support to capacity building events as part of the project intervention activities
• Manage project budgets, maintaining positive expenditure within a set timeframe
• Provide regular, accurate financial and narrative reporting
• Drive data collection efforts and draw on monitoring and evaluation data so as to inform and re-direct project implementation
• Collaborate closely with the MEAL unit to ensure continuous improvement of the project, proper documentation, accountability and internal learning
• Provide input to the learning agenda of the SCSA organisation from drawing from the experience in the project
• Maintain donor liaison through written reports and updates
• Be responsible for advocacy efforts with the selected schools, the Departments of Social Development, Basic Education and other relevant government departments at local, district and provincial level, as well as with other civil society and community stakeholders
• Engage schools, SGBs and local communities in planning and monitoring activities
• Attend budget holder and programme meetings in Pretoria and elsewhere as required
• Any other related responsibilities as the Free State Provincial Manager may require

Person Specification: Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant health or nutrition field
• At least 8 years of experience of working in the South African Education Sector
• Demonstrable Project Management Experience
• At least three years of professional experience in the teacher capacity building sector
• Extensive knowledge of the policies and programmes addressing the education capacity building in South Africa
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, ability to inform and engage through written communication
• Strong initiative and ability to multitask, anticipate and priorities without direct supervision
• Driver’s license

Preferred

• Recognised Project Management qualification
• Experience in working with South African government departments and education stakeholders
• Experience in a multilateral or international organization

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

The incumbent must demonstrate the following skills:

• Analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Honesty, discretion
• Trustworthy
• Flexible
• Sound work ethics
• Passion for the well-being of others, especially children

Applications can be sent to: [email protected]

Application Deadline: 16th November, 2018