Program Manager (Chief of Party)

World Concern is a non government and development agency whose supporters’ faith compels them to extend opportunity and hope to people facing the most profound human challenges of extreme poverty. We serve nearly 6 million people in 18 countries, focusing on food security, child protection, education, maternal and child health, microfinance, vocational training, clean water and sanitation and disaster response.

The Intergenerational Deaf Education Outreach (IDEO) Project is implemented by World Concern Development Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) through four years (July 2011 – June 2015) in the provinces of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh and Ho Chi Minh City. The overall objective of the project is to assist young deaf children to integrate into mainstream society, by piloting an innovative joint family and institution-based delivery system comprising screening, family support, and preschool services. The project is funded by Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF Grant No. TF099058), a trust fund managed by the World Bank (WB). The total grant is USD 2,798,270.

Position:        Program Manager (Chief of Party)
Location:        Hanoi, Vietnam base with travel to project sites
Reports To:        Asia Area Director
Supervises:        Approximately 15 program staff and various consultants
Length of Contract:    2 years with possibility of renewal; estimated start date June 1, 2013

Purpose:  The Project Manager is responsible for (i) overall monitoring, supervision and delivery of the project for donor and World Concern compliance;  (ii) coordinating with national and international consultants in all components to ensure the project’s successful implementation and the achievement of project targets; (iii) maintaining effective cooperating relationship with donor & partners.

Essentially the Project Manager is responsible for orchestrating the diverse program elements and stakeholders in this complex project so that program goals are met, appropriately evaluated and reported upon.

Responsibilities: 

Management

- Provide management support to the project to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out planned activities; 
- Monitor grant budget utilization to ensure that project expenditures are in accordance with approved budget and project timeline;
- Coordinate and ensure collaboration among the consultants working in each project component, and the project partners at national and local levels for the project’s effective implementation;
- Facilitate and work with main project stakeholders to develop and maintain an effective monitoring and evaluation system;
- Review, evaluate and analyze project progress and achievement against objectives and target indicators, and make necessary adjustments to ensure corrective actions are taken.

Technical:

Essentially the role of the Project Manager (PM) in this project is that of the director of an orchestra.  The project has a rich mix of technical experts, foreign and Vietnamese, deaf and hearing.  While the PM does not have to possess expertise in the areas listed below, the PM must have the process and relational expertise to negotiate, encourage and find resolution in areas of competing interests, maintain a focus on the overall goals of the project and assure its effective operation.

- Coordinate project M&E process including baseline survey, mid-term and final evaluation, on-going monitoring and review etc.;
- Ensure technical support by team members in the area of Deaf and Sign Language for the project consultants and partners in all project components;
- Work with international and national specialists in Deaf Education and incorporate suitable models and experiences in preschool education for deaf children for applying in Vietnam;
- Coordinate the development of an Essential Knowledge Base to support training, monitor the efficacy of educational approaches for young deaf children, conduct demonstration of program mechanisms and outcomes, and devise assessment tools for language development of the child;
- Ensure the involvement and ownership of both the Deaf  and also MOET (Ministry of Education and Training) in this project;
- Participate in the selection process of international and national consultants, trainers (deaf and hearing) and project beneficiaries (Deaf children, Deaf adults, hearing signers etc.);
- Provide support in networking with global, regional and national deaf communities and related service providers.

Reporting

- Produce periodical project reports based on component reports as required by World Concern and donor in a timely manner;
- Ensure the project research and experience is well documented and communicated.

Representation

- Represent the project to government, partners, donors, visitors as needed;
- Disseminate lessons learned and advocate for more responsive and adapted approaches in preschool education for deaf children.

General accountability

- Comply with World Concern’s Child Protection Policy to ensure maximum protection for children;
- Comply with policies/regulations of World Concern, government and donors as needed.

Required Education, Skills & Experience:

1.Understands and supports  World Concern’s values and mission;
2.University degree in international project management, international development, or the management of projects and programs for the disabled. A university degree is required but can be in another field than those listed above if there is also a record of successfully leading the operations of complex projects;
3.Fluent written and verbal English; Fluency in Vietnamese advantageous;
4.4 years of relevant working experience that includes demonstrated proven track record of successful project management for a comparably complex project;
5.Experience in working with government grants and government partners at different levels in developing countries; Vietnam and/or Asia context experience beneficial;
6.Committed to work with, serve and learn from disadvantaged people;
7.Mature, able to lead and take on high level of responsibility, able to work independently and as a team member;
8.High degree of interpersonal skills;
9.Motivated, results oriented and hard working, ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience:

1.Substantial experience with managing World Bank funded projects.
2.Substantial involvement with disabled people  in Vietnam and other countries;
3.Some familiarity with Sign Language of the Deaf (Vietnamese or international);

Working Conditions:

1.Requires travel to different areas and regions of Vietnam.
2.Urban living conditions.

Applications must be processed on World Concern’s employment page at Applications must be processed on our employment page at

https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CRISTA&cws...

Submission deadline is 31 May 2013.