Technical Assistance Manager

Project Overview:

Feed the Future Ethiopia - Highlands Resilience Activity (HRA) is a USD 60 million, five-year program funded by USAID. The program aims to complement the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP5) by supporting 120,000 PSNP households to reach the graduation threshold by strengthening their participation in market opportunities.

Position Overview:

The Technical Assistance Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the technical assistance partnerships for the intensive mentorship model. Reporting directly to the Program Director, this project manager-level position involves supervising and supporting the Technical Assistance Specialists while ensuring effective collaboration with local partners. The role encompasses stakeholder and partnership management, program quality oversight, monitoring, and capacity building to uphold Village Enterprise's standards and achieve project objectives.

Key Responsibilities;

Strategic Leadership and Partnership Management:

• Oversee the technical assistance partnerships for the Highlands Resilience Activity, ensuring alignment with Village Enterprise's mission and project objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local partner organizations, consortium agencies, government entities, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to develop strategic plans and annual work plans, incorporating input from local partners.
• Participate in Project Management Unit (PMU) engagements and stakeholder forums to represent Village Enterprise and advance project goals.

2. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

• Provide strategic guidance and technical assistance to local partners in implementing the Poverty Graduation Model, including micro-enterprise development and savings group establishment.
• Identify capacity gaps within local partner organizations and design capacity-building initiatives to address them effectively.
• Support the adaptation of Village Enterprise training and mentoring curriculums to suit project contexts and partner needs.

3. Program Quality Delivery and Monitoring:

• Monitor the performance and compliance of local partner organizations with Village Enterprise's standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure program quality and effectiveness.
• Identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations to enhance program implementation.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits and support local partners in addressing challenges and achieving program milestones.
• Prepare and submit comprehensive reports on project activities, outputs, and results in alignment with monitoring plans and project work plans.

4. Safeguarding: "Safeguarding at VE is everyones responsibility"

• Sensitize local Partners about the VE Safeguarding policy
• Continuously sensitize program participants about possible risks of child abuse, sexual/financial exploitation, prevention, and response mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with VEs safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct in all programs, operations, and practices.
• Report any incident of child or adult safeguarding concerns in program operations for appropriate action and follow-up.

Key Performance Indicators(KPIs)

• Effective training and capacity strengthening of the local implementing partners
• Strong partnerships and collaborations established with HRA project stakeholders
• Effective monitoring and reporting in line with project milestones and deliverables.

Reports to: Program Director

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Project Name: Highlands Resilience Activity

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, Business Administration, Economics, or related field;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, preferably in international development or poverty alleviation initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in managing technical assistance partnerships and building capacities of local organizations.
• Strong understanding of entrepreneurship, micro-enterprise development, and poverty alleviation strategies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages in Ethiopia is advantageous.