Senior Project Officer
The Opportunity - Senior Project Officer
The Senior Project Officer (SPO) works under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager and in close coordination with partners to ensure effective, efficient and cost-sensitive operations of the “PARTICIPATE: Empowered civil society organizations (CSOs) and ethnic minority youth for active participation in decision making in Yen Bai, Vietnam” project funded by the European Union (EU/PARTICIPATE project) in the assigned geographical locations.
The SPO will assist to ensure that Save the Children (SC) Vietnam activities are consistent with SC and Members’ programming principles and approaches, draw on good practices and lessons learned, enable children to attain their rights and are compliant with donor regulations. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
Key Responsibilities
1. Management of sub-grant agreements with local partners for Program Implementation of the EU/PARTICIPATE project
Management of project activities
- Oversee field implementation to ensure quality and timely delivery of project activities.
- Directly manage the sub-grants agreements of local CSOs partners in to ensure effective program implementation.
- Provide close support and supervision to CSO partners to ensure quality, participatory, effective, efficient and cost-sensitive planning, implementation, monitoring, reviewing, reporting and evaluation processes of activities in the project areas, with and by partners.
- Develop Project Detailed Implementation Plan and review project work-plans including that of partner organizations.
- Liaise and manage relationships with key project partners including local partners, related stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of project implementation.
- Build and strengthen capacity of local CSOs in organizational capacity development, project management, sub-grant management, internal control, financial and procurement management in compliance with Donor requirements (European Union and Save the Children), especially in the area of fostering youth’s participation in economic - social development, leadership and gender equality.
- Strengthen capacity of local CSO and youth to participate in decision making and in the promotion of gender equality.
- Apply PMM tools (Project Management Methods) for the effective program management.
- Support and back up the Project Manager to manage the program quality as required.
- Coordinate all logistical issues for visits, project activities and other related tasks.
Staff management
- Provide direct supervision to Project Officers to ensure the project team works productively in program implementation.
- Work together with project team members to identify clear performance objectives for each member including capacity building, support and motivate them to develop and implement their plans to achieve their objectives.
Financial management
- Ensure the effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources in order to keep cost-efficiency of the actions.
- Monitor partners’ budgets, project burn rate and advise Project Manager of any anticipated problems.
- Support Project Manager to develop and monitor project budget, cash forecast and budget phasing as required.
- Comply with SC and EU’s requirements on expenditures, provide support to partners on compliance.
Monitoring – evaluation – accountability – learning (MEAL)
- Lead MEAL activities at project level to ensure the program quality as committed to Donor.
- Maintain project database, beneficiaries tracking, records for case studies, photos and other data for project planning, documentation and learning.
- Compile reports from partners for submission to Project Manager and support to produce regular SC internal report and Donor reports.
- Implement project MEAL plan, including regular monitoring visits to partners to ensure project activities are implemented as per work-plan; identify and use the data collection methodologies; strengthen evidence and learning; ensure accountability mechanism.
- Strengthen capacity of local CSO partners and follow up the use, application, actions and documentation of project Quality Benchmarks to ensure the program quality.
Communication – visibility - advocacy
- Lead development process of case studies, project videos and other project communicaiton and visible materials.
- Ensure the implementation of project Communication and visibility plan in compliance with Donor requirements.
- Explore social based initiatives to support social and economic empowerment of ethnic minority youth.
2. Contribution to CRG programme development
Technical assistance
- Provide technical support in terms of CSO capacity development, Adolescent and Youth Participation, Meaningful Youth Engagement, Life Skills for Success, Youth Empowerment, Gender Mainstreaming and Sensitiveness, Advocacy to team members, partners on approaches and implementation methods consistent with acknowledged good practice to achieve sustainable results.
- Support Project Manager with inputs on Country Annual Plan and Country Annual Report.
- Actively participate in and provide inputs to developing new concept notes or/and proposals and program strategies.
- Be updated on and follow recent and cutting-edge developments in the international and national community in regards to CRG.
Coordination, representation, advocacy and networking
- Support national level project activities, including advocacy and coordination.
- Maintain effective links with local partners at all levels to facilitate implementation, sustainability and scalability of the project.
- Maintain effective collaborations with other partners, organizations and related projects in the same provinces or the other similar projects funded by EU for better integration, coordination and cooperation.
- Build and maintain effective partnerships and networks with relevant technical groups, civil society groups, NGOs, and UN agencies for effective implementation and scalability of the project.
- Regularly coordinate and collaborate with other sector/thematic teams to strengthen programmatic synergies and impact.
QUALIFICATIONS
- University/Master degree in community development, project management, social development or related field.
- Good at project cycle management and financial management.
- Good at partnership and teamwork.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
- At least 5-year experience in an NGO environment, including experience in implementing projects for youth and local CSOs in development contexts.
- Required experiences in organizational capacity development.
- Experience of working with local government, CSO partners, ethnic minority community in the North of Vietnam.
- Solid experience in effective planning, monitoring and evaluation in terms of program and budget.
- Experience writing, preparing donor reports.
- Good experiences in communication materials developments, materials translation and editing, advocacy implementation.
- Good communication skills and a positive attitude to team work.
- Excellent organisational skills, including time management, ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
- Good English and excellent Vietnamese, both written and verbal.
- Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
Desirable
- Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.
- Be both self-confident and humble.
- Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education, and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
- All children learn from quality basic education and that,
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document and use format. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at
If you have any issues with applying via our system, please send an email explaining your troubles to [email protected]
Closing Date for Application: 03rd February, 2022
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.