Consortium Deputy Team Leader

About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the field of education in Ethiopia helping to lead a dynamic consortium that is putting together a compelling and innovative bid for the forthcoming five-year “Transforming Education Programme in Ethiopia (TREE)”. As Consortium Deputy Team Leader, you will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with frequent visits to specific regions to be covered by the programme and other locations as necessary.

You will report to the Consortium Team Leader of this programme. Regular day to day liaison and coordination will be with national and regional level project management, other Core Team members, finance and operations functions in Ethiopia and at head office. You will work closely with both local and international consortium members and downstream partners and contractors, the Ministry of Education, FCDO and other relevant donor institutions and other key stakeholders in the field of education in Ethiopia.

This role is contingent on funding being secured.

Job Title: Consortium Deputy Team Leader, FCDO Transforming Education in Ethiopia (TREE).

Reports to: Consortium Team Leader, Concern Ethiopia.

Manages: Maximum 6 – 8 team members.

Liaises with: Other members of the Core Team and senior & technical staff in consortium member agencies, Concern relevant country office and head office management/staff, Ministry of Education and other government line ministries, FCDO, and other stakeholders in the field of education.

Terms: Fixed Term, Accompanied. Can be national or international posting.

Salary: TBC

Requirements: Regular travel within Ethiopia and elsewhere as may be required.

About Concern: Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear, and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Concern believes that education is at the heart of development and is key to breaking the poverty cycle, and improving health, nutrition, income, and opportunities for all children. Our education programming aims to improve the lives of extremely poor and vulnerable children in a sustainable way by increasing access to high quality primary education and supporting wellbeing.

Background of the FCDO Transforming Education in Ethiopia Project:

In Ethiopia, many children are out of school or at risk of dropping out, in particular girls and other marginalised groups. Progress has been made in expanding education access for children across the country – however, since 2019 progress stalled due to conflict, climate-induced shocks, the impact of COVID-19 and other challenges which have exacerbated existing inequalities.

In response and building on its previous support to the Ethiopian Education system, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) aims to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes and increase access to education for girls and marginalised children through the ‘Transforming Education in Ethiopia’ project (2024-2028). The programme will focus on three key aspects:

• Teacher and school leader development: Improved quality of teaching and learning with a focus on continuous teacher professional development in targeted schools.
• English Language Teaching and Learning: Selected schools provide better teaching and learning in English Language as a subject, and improved use of English across the curriculum.
• Equity, Inclusion and Girls’ Education: Improved access and retention of the most marginalised children, particularly girls.

Role Purpose:

The Consortium Deputy Team Leader (CDTL) will take a leadership role in day-to-day operations and performance management, ensuring the technical and administration implementation of high impact, proven interventions, while ensuring that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The CDLT will assume the responsibilities of the Consortium Team Leader in their absence. Furthermore, the CDLT will act as a primary liaison point with the Ministry of Education and relevant government ministries. They are expected to have extensive skills in capacity building and networking capabilities with international and national institutions, development agencies and government ministries.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Consortium Team Leader, key Technical Assistance and MEAL staff to develop, oversee and review project workplans and performance plans.
• Coordinate with key staff to carry out activities in accordance with the work plan and timelines for deliverables.
• Support the Consortium Team Leader in the maintenance of efficient systems to support all aspects of the project, including grant management, MEAL systems, in compliance with organisational procedures and donor requirements.
• Liaise with the relevant staff to ensure relevant technical support is provided based on contextual needs of each region.
• Oversee and provide support to project implementation in targeted regions to ensure targets are met.
• Develop and maintain strong working and cooperative relationships with all relevant key stakeholders, including government representatives, delivery partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions
• Act as the primary liaison point with the Ministry of Education and other relevant government departments.
• In coordination with or absence of the Consortium Team Leader, represent the project and the organisation in national, regional, and international fora, and share information about project achievements and lessons learned within the organisation and wider development community.
• Contribute to the development of the MEAL plan in partnership with key stakeholders.
• Provide oversight and review of programme written outputs and deliverables including donor and programme reports.
• Support risk management processes by promptly identifying potential issues and risks in programme implementation and ensure that necessary adjustments are made.
• Ensure ongoing quality assurance and continuous improvement of programme management activities.
• Provide line management to 6 – 8 team members located across Ethiopia in accordance with organisational policies and procedures, ensuring good working environment and professional development of team members.
• Ensure adherence/compliance with Concern Worldwide’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies (including Programme Participant Protection, Child & vulnerable adult Safeguarding, Anti-Trafficking policies), Conflict of Interest Policy, Anti-Fraud Policy, and Modern Slavery Transparency Statement. Uphold and promote Concern’s values – demonstrating leadership on equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
• Promote and ensure accountability to programme participants and wider communities in line with Concern Worldwide’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Do No Harm principles and ensure high ethical standards throughout programme implementation.
• All managers are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
• All managers are required to actively participate in any emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

Required:

• Advanced degree (master’s or equivalent experience) in education, gender, disability, inclusion, public administration, international development or related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in a senior management role of large-scale, multi-million-dollar, complex, multi-partner projects.
• Experience and ability to provide leadership and direction and harness the multi-disciplinary skills of the technical personnel and consortium partners.
• Staff and financial management experience, with experience in leading and motivating individuals and teams to deliver high quality products and achieve programme outcomes.
• Experience and ability to work with and build effective partnerships between a broad range of stakeholders, including government (both at strategic/policy and service delivery levels), civil society, multilaterals, and other donors.
• Prior experience in operating effectively within complex and high-risk environments and managing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working in East Africa, ideally in Ethiopia.
• Understanding of education delivery and education systems reform in Ethiopia, as well as the political, cultural context and challenges in Ethiopia.
• Experience in coordinating and working with the government, particularly within the education sector.
• Strong analytical communication and writing skills, with the ability to articulate complex information backed with evidence to promote and persuade influential stakeholders.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable:

• Prior experience in large FCDO commercial contracts or accountable grants.
• Fluency in one or more Ethiopian languages.