Tracking Progress Initiative Coordinator at SOS Children’s Villages Zambia

Position Title: Tracking Progress Initiative (TPI) Coordinator

Reporting to: Head of Programmes (HoP)

Duty Station:  National Office-Lusaka

SOS Children’s Villages Zambia is a child focussed organization and an affiliate of the SOS Children Villages International. It is non-governmental, non-political, non-denominational, and non-racial. Its overall mission is to build families for children in need, help them shape their own futures and share in the development of their communities. To realise the mission of the organisation, SOS Children’s Villages Zambia is recruiting for a Tracking Progress Initiative (TPI) Coordinator

Purpose of position

The Tracking Progress Initiative (TPI) Coordinator will provide overall leadership for the national implementation of a two-year project on “Strengthening National Alternative Care Implementation & Information Management Systems”, playing a key role in influencing quality and effectiveness of the project. In the coordinating role, the Tracking Progress Initiative Coordinator is accountable and responsible for the project in SOS CV Zambia at the national level, in a planned way, to achieve the highest level of quality in project outcomes. The Tracking Progress Initiative Coordinator will help to design the country group project implementation work plans, liaise with SOS staff, government representatives and civil society organizations (CSO) representatives for project realization. He/she shares reports on project progress and oversees project budget.

Principle Job Accountabilities

1. Provides overall leadership and management of the project

a) Acts as focal point for the Tracking Progress Initiative project in Zambia in relation to all major inquiries and work matters.

b) Designs the project and related plans, in partnership with SOS Eastern and Southern Africa Federation (ESAF) and SOS CV Norway.

c) Leads the national project team and drives project implementation according to plan, involving relevant SOS CV Zambia staff, government representatives and national CSO representatives.

d) Provides thematic expertise on child protection, alternative care and data management to inform national projects.

e) Regularly liaises with Regional Project Lead securing project progress and implementation

2. Leads monitoring and evaluation of project activities/Quality Management

a) Ensures programme implementation is in accordance with project plan, programme description (donor proposal) and appropriate partnership agreements between SOS CV Zambia and funders

b) Submits monthly updates and quarterly reports as well as provide input for annual donor reports to the Regional Project Lead.

3. Ensures monitoring and evaluation of project activities/Quality Management

a) Collaborates with the SOS CV Zambia M&E Advisor to ensure that a Results Based Management approach is applied to elicit quality data management.

b) Ensures programme descriptions (donor proposal) and appropriate partnership agreements with funders are met, and aligned with the programme M&E systems ( (baselines, monitoring, follow-up assessments, training programs)

c) Submits monthly updates and quarterly reports as well as provide input for annual donor reports to the Regional Project Lead.

4. Financial management and administration, authorization and approval of expenditures.

a) Coordinates the appropriate allocation of project resources, in line with the annual plan and budget.

b) Responsible for budgetary control so that the program’s financial resources are used efficiently and within the approved limits.

c) Implements financial and administrative procedures, in line with policies/guidelines of the national association and in consultation with financial support staff.

d) Ensures that mechanisms for monitoring efficiency and accountability in the use of resources are in a place and functioning well.

e) Ensures expenditure approvals in conjunction with the Head of Programs and other relevant National Office department heads.

f) Conducts quarterly budget and expenditure reviews and provides feedback and or proposals to the National Office finance department mainly for variance checks

5. Build and manage positive relations with the government representatives, develop appropriate partnerships and networks

a) Participates in national forums dealing with issues affecting beneficiaries of SOS target group and promotes the work of SOS to various organizations and communities.

b) Builds strong working relationships with national project coordinators

c) Participates in regional forums dealing with issues affecting beneficiaries of the SOS target group.

d) Represents the project as well as the SOS CV Zambia at internal meetings/conferences and external forums and conferences.

6. Maintains close working relationship with the Regional Project Lead, National Director and National Office department heads.

a) Obtains information on new developments of the TPI project

b) Obtains information on new developments of the National Association.

c) Regularly updates the Management EXCO of project developments and activities.

d) Promotes and coordinates formal and informal information sharing meetings and decision making for management EXCO

e) Identifies program areas that seek management EXCO technical guidance and advisory support.

Qualifications and Experience

• University Degree, preferably master’s degree in Child Welfare, Social Sciences or Economics.
• At least 3 years of documented Project / Grant management experience
• Documented experience conducting Child Rights Situational Analysis and/or similar evaluation process, including use of such for structured advocacy purposes
• Familiarity with and/or direct knowledge of UN Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children (UNGA), Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and relevant international rights documentation / reporting processes

Personal Attributes

• Ability to effectively interact with Management
• Ability to interact effectively with other members staff
• Good team player
• Ability to work within strict deadlines.
• Ability to multi task and able to travel out of station frequently

Be of high moral standing and personal integrity.

Competencies

• Demonstrated team player with effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
• Strong people and performance management skills and experience.
• Excellent problem-solving, technical, managerial, and financial analysis skills and a focus on producing efficient, reliable, and cost-effective data solutions as an individual or as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrated ability in meeting deadlines while producing quality results.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant MS Office packages necessary for day-to-day works.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including evidence of quality report writing and presentations.

This job description outlines only the general scope of activity and the basic tasks and responsibilities associated with his/her position. It may be supplemented with a more detailed definition of tasks, responsibilities and work-plan and is subject to change at the discretion or consultation with the direct superior.

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