Position: Project Officer (PO) for UWAWA Project
Location: Mwanza
Job Summary
Background: The Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC), an ecumenical body jointly established in 1992 by the Christian Council of Tanzania and the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, coordinates and facilitates the delivery of social services by the member churches in Tanzania. For 27 years, CSSC has been serving a network of more than 1,000 church-owned education facilities, including 500 pre-primary and primary schools. The majority of these facilities are located in remote rural areas, where provision of quality education remains a challenge. CSSC has entered into a partnership with the German Karl Kübel Foundation (KKF) and received funds from the German Ministry for Development Cooperation (BMZ) to implement the Usalama wa Watoto (UWAWA) Project. The Project’s goal is a significant decrease in aggressive and violent behaviour in 30 schools and surrounding communities in 3 regions of Tanzania and a change towards positive disciplining and up-bringing methods that respect the rights of children. CSSC is seeking to engage a Project Officer (PO) based in Mwanza who will oversee all project-related activities in 4 selected districts in the regions of Mwanza and Kagera.
Minimum Qualification: Bachelor
Experience Level: Management level
Experience Length: 3 years
Job Description
Overall Responsibility
- To support CSSC in the successful implementation and delivery of results of the UWAWA Project within the required timeframe.
- The PO is responsible for the effective and efficient implementation of the UWAWA interventions in the assigned regions of Mwanza and Kagera in line with the approved work plan and budget. The PO manages and coordinates all project-related activities, provides technical guidance and leadership to project stakeholders, and ensures that the project achieves its intended goal and objectives in the respective regions. The PO reports to the Director of Education Services at CSSC Head Office.
Key Duties
- Develop a detailed work plan and budget in collaboration with the project management team at head office.
- Organise/facilitate trainings and workshops on topics related to Child Protection (CP) and coordinate capacity building activities for different target groups including government officials, education service providers (e.g. university and TTC lecturers, school managers and teachers), students, and community representatives.
- Identify and effectively engage key community resource persons and community leaders to accelerate collaboration between schools and communities on prevention of child abuse and management of child abuse cases.
- Support the conduct of surveys among project stakeholders, e.g. TTCs, schools and communities, using analogue and digital methodologies, ensure the collection of complete, accurate and verifiable data and present the findings to the project management team in a clear and structured way.
- Establish networks of education providers and CP advocates at district and regional levels and ensure exchange of information and best practices.
- Monitor linkages between schools, parents and communities and improve their working relationship if necessary.
- Coordinate and conduct regular supportive supervision and mentoring of education facilities and community support structures (e.g. Village Social Welfare Committees).
- Liaise closely with government education coordinators at district and regional levels as well as other important CP stakeholders to organize and attend meetings related to CP and align your work to achieve maximum efficiency in the project.
- Work with other CP programs and projects to explore areas of common interest, and identify common issues and approaches in order to enhance local CP initiatives and partnership.
- Assist in advocating with the Government and other relevant stakeholders for the implementation of CP measures in education facilities.
General Responsibilities
- Employ a gender-sensitive approach in all your endeavours.
- Remain informed on current initiatives and research in the field of CP by reviewing relevant literature and stay alert to any implications of such experience and research for the project.
- Identify, track and document relevant best practices and lessons learnt for the project and related activities as well as for CSSC (institutional learning).
- Participate in collaborative learning and knowledge management within the organisation as well as in all relevant meetings/forums within CSSC.
- Provide support to the project management team at head office in the coordination and supervision of all activities.
- Provide support to the external evaluation team during their supervision visits.
- Ensure that mandatory office policies and procedures, including financial and HR policies, are adhered to and accurately implemented.
- Ensure that an efficient M&E system for routine project data recording, cleaning, reporting, and utilization of project data for planning, decision-making, and resource allocation is implemented and all data are always collected timely and accurately.
- Prepare and submit project progress and implementation reports timely.
- Perform other responsibilities as required and assigned by the supervisor.
Qualification
- Bachelor Degree in Education, Sociology, Community Development or Psychology (required)
- Post-graduate qualification in Education, Child Protection, Sociology or other related field (desired).
- Technical expertise in CP and Child Save Guarding (required).
Competencies, Skills and Attributes
- Comprehensive IT skills including usage of Microsoft Office appliances and internet research tools.
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation in English and Kiswahili.
- Willingness to frequent travel in rural areas.
- Self-starter and team player able to work under minimum supervision.
Experience
- At least 3 years’ experience in managing projects/programs (required).
- Thorough understanding of the Tanzanian education system, its key stakeholders, and the policy environment (required).
- Detailed knowledge of faith-based education service providers (desired).
Additional Information
The position is a full-time position for the period of 12 months with the option of extension depending on availability of funds and prior performance. Anticipated start date for the position is beginning of November 2019.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application letter, a detailed copy of their latest CV, and names and contact information (email addresses and telephone numbers) of three work-related traceable referees before 25th October, 2019 to the following address:
The Executive Director
Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC)
Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Plot No. 4
P.O. Box 9433
Dar es Salaam
OR
Email: [email protected]
Note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The cost for interview will be covered by candidate him/herself.
