Project Manager – Best Start Together– JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to: Country Representative
Responsible for: Project Implementation
Job type: Fixed term, 5 days a week (35 hours)
Location: Kyaka II refugee settlement in Kyegegwa District

ABOUT US
At Chance for Childhood (CFC), we believe that no child should have to fight for a safe & happy childhood. We exist to ensure that every child can thrive from their early years through to adulthood. Together with partners, supporters, children and their communities, we protect, educate and create lasting change for every child threatened by violence, neglect and conflict.

We specialise in ensuring access to inclusive education and safe spaces so that children in Africa can play, grow, learn and thrive. We have staff and offices in the UK, Rwanda, Ghana and Uganda as well as community partners across East and West Africa.

In Uganda, CFC is implementing Best Start together Project in Six zones of Kyaka II refugee settlement. This project, targets to reach over 2000 children with disability and Special Educational Needs aged 3-6 in Early Childhood Education with the aim of removing barriers to quality early childhood education for out-of-school children with disabilities and additional support needs.

ROLE PURPOSE
The purpose of the role holder is to manage BEST START TOGETHER Project, with overall responsibility for effective and efficient management and delivery of the project through Quarterly and annual planning, budgeting, reporting, managing field staff and day-to-day project operations consistent with project cycle management and the project’s goal to the highest standards of programmatic quality.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES
• Operationalize meetings, and follow-up on agreed items as well as project start-up meetings with all key stakeholders.
• Lead, manage and coordinate day-to-day planning, implementation and management of project activities according to the project document and project log frame.
• Develop and implement project plans with project staff, technical specialists and stakeholders to ensure effective project implementation.
• Provide technical support and guidance on inclusive early childhood education, teacher training techniques, and other technical issues as pertain to education programmes.
• Ensure that the project adopts best practice in inclusive education, adaptation of best education practices and takes up recommendations to ensure that lessons learned within the programme are properly recorded and shared with other partners
• Ensure the MEAL – Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning system and tools developed are used by project staff to track project progress, and capture intended goals for the project.
• Ensure project compliance with all legal and donor requirements and particularly regarding grant acknowledgement and reporting.
• Provide regular reporting to the Programme manager and Country Representative as per guidelines including preparation and consolidation of project monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Monitor the context and carry out adjustments to project plans and management on an on-going basis considering changing context, resources and opportunities.
• Monitor project expenditure against budget, and preparation and submission of required project progress and financial reports on a regular basis.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships within and outside the project areas of implementation, including with the Government of Uganda ministries and departments like Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and with project partners, INGOs, local organisations, private organisations, community leaders and relevant networks including those working within the wider education sector.
• Work closely with the Programme Manager to capitalise on technical experiences of the project.
• Coordinate processes for project evaluation, document and share lessons learned with development partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provide leadership to staff team, encourage, support, coach and mentor the project team, ensuring capacity is built and appropriate results are attained.
• Lead the recruitment process in the project team whenever the case arises to hire new staff within the project.
• Contribute to and communicate on matters related to the project as and whenever required in terms of grant and reporting timelines of the overall organisation.

CANDIDIATE PROFILE
• A leader with proven ability to empower and motivate high performing teams.
• Experience of leading large education projects / teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience of managing projects with the context of refugee settlements.
• A track record of implementing projects funded from bi-lateral and multi-lateral institutions
• Ability to problem solve and work effectively in a fast-paced environment and in emergency situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience of building effective relationships with a diverse range of both internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• An excellent communicator in written and spoken English, with a minimal understanding of Local language from the Rwenzori region.
• Experience of working in sub-Saharan Africa preferred through previous INGO experience.
• Knowledge or lived experience of safeguarding and inclusive education for children in vulnerable situations preferred.
• A strong appreciation and sensitivity to the different cultural contexts in which Chance for Childhood works and a commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A commitment to Chance for Childhood’s values.
• A commitment to personal learning, development and improvement

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• A minimum of five years of practical experience in project management, Education/ special Needs Education and team management in not-for-profit sector.
• Experience of working in partnership with civil society organizations, Government institutions and local authorities.
• Experience working with vulnerable groups (persons with disability, children, women, refugees, migrants).
• Experience of managing Inclusive education project especially in Uganda and more specifically in refugee camps is strongly required.
• Experience in early childhood development and/or early childhood education is a strong asset.
• Experience in sub-grants management is a strong asset.