Save the Children South Africa Job Opening

Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) is implementing a programme that seeks to ensure that all children benefit from a strengthened child – rights system that delivers and monitor the realisation of their rights, and ensure that children experience less violence in schools, homes and communities. The programme also aims to support children to influence Local, Provincial and National Governance to ensure their survival, learning and protection.

Through this programme, SCSA intends to push for increased public investment in children and reduction of violence against children in both school and home settings.

Job Title: Senior Education Project Manager (AEGR Project)
Permanent: 12 Months fixed term contract
Grade: 5
Reports to: Free State Provincial Manager
Base: Free State Provincial Office (QwaQwa)
Child Protection Level:  3
Travel Requirements: 40% domestic and international when required
Budget Responsibilities: In excess of R5 million per year
Asset Responsibilities: Assets procured through the project

Job Purpose

Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to provide strong intellectual and technical leadership support to its literacy projects, currently based in the Free State province of South Africa. The projects are a response to the dire need to enhance Foundation Phase (Grades 1 to 3) learners’ literacy skills and overall language ability. In addition to providing leadership and technical support, the incumbent will be required to provide input into the development and implementation of the curriculum for literacy in African Home Language (AHL) and English First Additional Language (EFAL), including lesson plans for Grade 1, 2 and 3 in close collaboration with Free State Department of Education (FSDOE) and be responsible for the design, compilation and production of literacy toolkits, monitoring and assessment tools, and prescribed learner and teacher support materials (LTSM).

The Senior Project Manager (Education Programme AEGR) will be managed, on a day to day functional basis, by the Free State Provincial Manager for implementation purposes and to facilitate progress of the work conducted. The Senior Project Manager (Education Programme: AEGR) will receive technical support from the Education Programme Manager, to strengthen technical implementation and production of project good quality results.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management functions

• Lead the project team on project design (scope, timelines and costs) and implementation approaches in close collaboration with the Education Programme Manager;
• Facilitate the design and development, testing and implementation of a MEAL plan to measure impact and monitor progress;
• Lead project budget development, including the budgets of partners and integration with head-office financial processes;
• Manage and support the sub-grantee VVOB on the project in terms of the following:
  • Project design and approach;
  • Planning, costing and coordination of activities;
  • Collaboration and strategic alignment with stakeholders at provincial and national level;
  • Managing and monitoring of project activities;
  • Reporting of implementation progress to SCSA; and
  • Financial monitoring, reporting, audits and payments.

Project Implementation functions

• Ensure that the design, planning, implementation, coordination and management of project activities within the province occurs that achieve results against set objectives and indicators and ensure that annual, quarterly and monthly project implementation plans are developed for the whole project;
• Manage a project budget, maintaining positive expenditure within a set timeframe; and utilise effective and efficient budget management systems;
• Provide thought leadership to the design, testing, implementation and monitoring of rigorous implementation research for the project in close collaboration with the Research Manager;
• Draw on monitoring and evaluation data to inform and re-direct project design, approaches and implementation; and
• Identify and manage risk mitigation throughout the project.

Operationalise Project Quality Improvement

• Design, implement and review quality benchmarks for the project in close collaboration with the Education Programme Manager;
• Facilitate the assessment of project results against the quality benchmark; and
• Facilitate the ongoing review of project design and interventions in close collaboration with the Education Programme Manager, as result of performance against quality benchmarks.

Project reporting functions

• Develop monthly, quarterly and annual reports with accurate financial and narrative content according to SCSA and donor requirements;
• Lead the learning agenda for literacy projects in SCSA, drawing from the experience in the project;
• Attend to budget- and programme management meetings and reporting requirements as required; and
• Participate in communities-of-practice on literacy to benefit the project from best practise and latest research, including project information dissemination using abstracts in conferences and related platforms.

Stakeholder Management functions

• Engage with donor/s on outcome of the project, strategic feedback and project direction to strengthen the relationship and explore further funding opportunities;
• Strategic liaison with the Provincial Department of Education to ensure alignment with provincial strategies, priorities and plans; and
• Engage professional organisations such as South African Principals Association (SAPA) at provincial and national level.

Project Team Management

• Manage a team of professional field staff to plan, implement, coordinate and monitor project activities to achieve results against SCSA’s strategic direction and set objectives; and
• Manage and develop the required human resources in the team by capacitating them accordingly.

Project Sustainability functions

• Engage other civil society organisations in order to identify potential strategic partnership to explore opportunities for collaboration and sustainability in the province; and
• Document a sustainability plan and promote the activities needed to ensure continuity of interventions beyond the project.

Conduct all other project related responsibilities as may be required and supported by your superior/s.

Qualifications and Experience

• Post-graduate degree in Education and/or an advanced qualification in project management;
• Extensive project management experience in development or business sectors is essential;
• Proven ability to successfully manage projects implemented over a period longer than 24 months, with budgets in excess of R5 million per year;
• Skills of managing decentralised implementation teams and sub-grantees;
• Experience in South African basic education sector and or related sectors;
• Minimum of 5 years working within an NGO; and
• Current driver’s license.

Key Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrable project management experience and strong budget management skills;
• Personnel management and ability to function well in a team;
• Excellent organisational and co-ordination skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills specifically for report writing and project documentation;
• Demonstrable skills and proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Innovative and dynamic with sound analytical skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with strong initiative and ability to multitask;
• Sound work ethics and ability to prioritise and work independently;
• Familiarity with the policies and strategies of the Department of Basic Education such as the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning Policy (CSTL), Social Cohesion initiatives, the Free State Reading Strategy and the DBE Action Plan to 2014 will be a strong advantage;
• Familiarity with South African legislation such as the South African Schools Act; and
• Basic knowledge of school curriculum delivery & management.

Send your applications to: [email protected]

Application Deadline: 24th August, 2018