Consortium Manager -EUTF project

About CST

CST Ethiopia represents the overseas development and humanitarian agencies of the Catholic Church from England and Wales (CAFOD), Scotland (SCIAF), and Ireland (Trócaire) in Ethiopia. The three agencies have over 40 years’ of experience in international development and humanitarian response and are each members of worldwide networks, including Caritas Internationalis. Currently, the three agencies jointly operate a single, integrated country programme in Ethiopia through the legal entity CST Ethiopia.

CST Ethiopia is implementing a country strategic plan focused on two programmes – Women’s Empowerment and Resilient Communities, which integrates sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian and other (e.g. peacebuilding) programming.

As part of the CST Ethiopia Programme, CST Ethiopia/Trócaire has secured a grant from EU under the EUTF for a project entitled “Stability and socio-economic development for vulnerable and marginalized communities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia (T05-EUTF-HOA-ET-76)”. The overall objective of the project is to promote stability and socio economic development in vulnerable and marginalised areas of the Tigray region, in Ethiopia. The project has two components namely; i) Promotion of peace building and conflict prevention among local populations living in peripheral areas of Tigray at regional, zonal, woreda and at community levels and ii) Improvement of socio-economic opportunities for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations of the Tigray region. The project is  implemented in partnership with 7 implementing partners for 52 months with a total budget of €5.89 million, starting in July  2021. 

CST Ethiopia/Trócaire is seeking to hire a Consortium Manager with relevant experiences on managing consortium projects who is familiar to the area of operation. 

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, CST Ethiopia offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Scope of Role 

The Consortium Manager reports to Head of CST Mekelle office – Head of Programmes,Tigray   The Consortium Manager is an important role in the Ethiopia Country programme and will coordinate and manage the EU funded project to deliver the intended results.

The post will work closely with the CMT, CST Programme team, Consortium members, Implementing Partners staff, HQ colleagues, EU Delegation staff, and other stakeholders. The post holder will be:

• Accountable for delivery of the project

• Responsible for overall management of the project

• Provide coordination and direction to the team and consortium members 

The Consortium Manager will oversee all aspects of programme cycle management (project implementation, monitoring & reporting) of the EU funded Stability and socio-economic development for vulnerable and marginalized communities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia project with local partners in Tigray with an emphasis on ensuring the timely and high quality achievement of the project goal and objectives by all consortium partners in line with donor rules and regulations.

Accountable for project delivery

• Support CST Programme team to work closely with and actively facilitate the Consortium’s Project Governance, Technical Working Group , and Steering Committee (PSC) meetings to discuss progress, successes, challenges and learning and to review annual work plans, budgets, and interim/final reports with other consortium partners.

• Facilitate and actively contribute to consortium workshops and operational meetings (e.g. inception, baseline, mid-term review, end evaluation workshops and other important workshops related to the project.

• In coordination with the Project Accountant, CST Finance and Administration Manager and the Business Development & Compliance Advisor, provide management oversight for financial and administrative management, ensuring compliance by all partners with all relevant donor and organisational guidelines, regulations and procedures. 

• In coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor and Programme Manager, ensure adherence to monitoring and evaluation guidelines, frameworks, indicators and obligations for the consortium programme and oversee embedding of M&E and accountability in consortium implementation.

• Ensures that the project liaises with Altai Consultancy firm concerning the MEAL report based on the contractual agreement of EUTF. This includes the mapping and data collection of indicators on regular basis. 

• Ensure compliance with the donor’s communications and visibility requirements.

Project Management 

• Provide technical support to the MSD officer and Implementing partner staff to ensure that the two components of the project are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated.

• Ensure that the MSD officer and Implementing partner staff have access to technical support required to carry out quality programmes using strong technical approaches relating to peace building, socio-economic development using the MSD approach. 

• Together with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor ensure that the project is being implemented within a clear M&E framework that includes regular monitoring by the relevant implementing partners staff based on the Altai Consultancy guideline and ensure that learning from the project is captured and reported to EUTF. 

• Through regular project review process with the CST Programme and Finance team, ensure that project is on track and challenges are dealt with.

• In collaboration with Altai Consultancy firm, Business Development & Compliance Advisor and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor deliver high quality donor reports that provide clear evidence of progress (or lack of) on an annual basis and that can be used for project management, and ongoing learning and adaptation, as well as to highlight case studies for communication and advocacy.

• Maximise linkages and opportunities for integration of Women Empowerment approaches within the overall project implementation and develop tools on how to track its progress.

• Ensure timely submission of quality narrative and financial other reports to the donor in line with donor requirements and templates.

• Manage the relationship with the Grant Manger and relevant contacts in the EU Delegation, ensuring a cordial relationship and effective information sharing throughout the grant implementation period.

Coordination and direction provision

• Coordinate and oversee the Consortium members in terms of the overall management of the project and act as a secretary for the Project Governance and Steering Committee (PSC).

• Support CST Programme team to work closely with and actively facilitate the Consortium’s Project Governance and  Steering Committee (PSC) meetings to discuss progress, successes, challenges and learning and to review annual work plans, budgets, and interim/final reports with other consortium partners.

• Facilitate the Governance Meetings of the two components of the grant and bring issues to the overall Steering Committee of the project for due attention and decision making. 

• Responsible to prepare the agendas, record minutes and share with Consortium members.

• Facilitate and actively contribute to consortium workshops and operational meetings (e.g. inception, baseline, mid-term review, end evaluation workshops and other important workshops related to the project).

• In coordination with the Project Accountant, CST Finance and Administration Manager and the Business Development & Compliance Advisor, provide management oversight for financial and administrative management, ensuring compliance by all partners with all relevant donor and organisational guidelines, regulations and procedures. 

• Represent CST Ethiopia/Trócaire and the consortium where appropriate, particularly at Tigray Region. 

Human Resource Management

• Line manage threestaff namely the Resilient Programme Officer, Livelihood Programme Officer, and  Project Accountant with defined roles and responsibilities.

•  Implement an effective performance management system in line with CST Ethiopia HR policy.

•  Support, mentor and coach the staff as part of their professional development and to help them to be highly effective in their work.

• Together with Head of Programmes Tigray  establish a team approach to ensuring coordination and collaboration between CST Ethiopia team  and the Consortium members  to work together to share learning and to exchange skills.

Others

• Fulfil other reasonable duties and responsibilities, as requested by the Head of Programmes-Tigray and Country Director.

Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults 

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. More information on Trócaire’s safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire. 

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications

• University master’s degree in development studies, social studies, humanitarian or other relevant field Project Management Qualification

• Project Management Qualification

Experience

• Significant demonstrable experience in similar positions and in the management of development programmes and grants.

• Sound experience of budgetary and financial management

• In-depth understanding of programming in a partnership model, working in a partnership-based INGO

• Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques, including results-based management, rights-based approach and participatory methodologies

• Demonstrable experience of promoting gender equity through programming and within an international organisation

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in attracting institutional donor funding and managing complex donor grants, such as consortia.

• Experience with EU rules, systems and procedures 

• Solid experience of managing teams in a multi-cultural environment and playing a leadership role in ensuring cohesiveness, inclusion and development of staff at all levels

• Experience of working with management information systems

• Experience in peace building and socio-economic development projects

• Experience managing EU- funded projects 

• Experience working in partnerships with local and international NGOs

• Experience working in and coordinating consortium projects

Skills

• Ability to motivate staff to align behind a shared vision and objectives

• Ability to effectively performance manage staff

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills

• Ability to manage budgets and financial systems

• Highly organised, with excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

• Competent in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel)

• Fluency (written and spoken) in English

• Fluency in one or more local languages

Qualities

• Strong commitment to principles of partnership, solidarity, social justice and localisation

• Good interpersonal relationships and teamwork skills 

• Proactive, participatory and result oriented approach to work

• Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with colleagues, partners and stakeholders 

• Culturally sensitive and diplomatic 

• Willingness to travel, including independently 

• Self-motivated with proven ability to take initiative, prioritise tasks and work to deadlines 

• Flexible and adaptable 

• Accuracy and attention to detail

Other

• Availability to work outside normal hours to meet deadlines 

• Commitment to principles of safeguarding of programme participants.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should apply through this link: Consortium Manager -EUTF project.