VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Regional Program Development Advisor- Children in the Street Situation

Position title:             Regional Program Development Advisor- Children in the Street Situation

Working location:     Addis Ababa

Supervisor:                Deputy Regional Programme Director

Region:                      East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

Contract Period        March 2024 with possible extension

Context of the Organization

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) is non-governmental and non-denominational organization working with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children are fulfilled in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing the care. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide.

Envisioning that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security, we exist to build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is guided by the firm belief that no child should grow up alone and that we need to improve care for children who are at risk, enabling them to overcome precarious conditions and to succeed in life. To achieve our mission, our strategy for the upcoming decade focuses on ensuring the best care of children, innovation, and effective collaboration with more partners. Our core values guiding who we are and what we do include courage to take action, commitment to keep our promises, trust to believe in each other, and accountability to be reliable Partners.

Job Summary

The Purpose is to monitor the implementation of organizational and international quality standards, policies, strategies and policy support documents in SOS Children’s Village Programmes. She/he contributes to the development of standards and policies in her/his area of expertise mainly in promoting the need for such special intervention in the organization and in the federation in general. This position will manage and be responsible for the supervision of the overall project/programme implementation, planning, budget management and accountability, monitoring, learning and evaluation. He/she will work under the support and close supervision of the Deputy Programme Director and will submit reports with evidence of the progress.

Main Clients

• Regional Programme Director/Deputy Regional Director
• CVI Representative
• National Directors and Staff
• Donors/PSAs
• Research and Innovation
• Programe Development Advisor & M& E Advisors

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

Coordinate and support the effective implementation of the Children in the Street Situation projects

• Provide technical support and guidance to the MAs implementing the Children in the Street Situation projects based on the defined project
• Support in collating information on a regular basis from the projects and preparing project reports and submitting them in time to the IOR and
• Support the MAs to establish/maintain close working relationships with the relevant government authorities in the countries to facilitate/expedite appropriate support to the children in the street
• Make sure that the MAs work closely with national partners to ensure effective programme coordination and
• Provide support in the preparation of donor narrative and financial reports in collaboration with the MAs and make sure that the quality of the reports (both narrative & financial) is maintained and submitted based on the
• Support in the development of a clear workable annual plans for the project including issues related to effective advocacy and research strategies to facilitate positive change for children in the street
• Provide technical input into workshops and meetings that pertain to the project under the guidance of the Portfolio Manager.
• Ensure all training and related materials are developed and provided on time to the project team.
• Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs using appropriate verification techniques and communicate to all internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Children in the Street Situation projects in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and other MAs.
• Support the MAs to facilitate responsible re- unification processes by developing/adapting tools and other relevant materials/documents
• Identify capacity gaps within the Member Association’s co-workers pertaining to the re- unification of children on the streets and or the street children’s project in general, and build capacity accordingly

Lead Programme Planning, development & Quality Management

• Coordinating the implementation of the SOS Children’s Village Care Promise Policy in the countries by providing technical expertise as well as facilitating the programme change processes.
• Advises national programmes staff when setting targets and defining HR requirements and quality measures during the annual and strategic planning process. Advises national program staff in the development of and provides feedback on program ideas, concepts, and proposals for new types of interventions
• Supports MAs in entering into partnerships with local stakeholders and partners to effectively respond to the needs of the target group in the area of their expertise.
• Provides technical expertise to national program staff in program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Provides feedback, supports and monitors implementation of national plans and programmes in her/his area of specific expertise.

Lead Programme Planning, development & Quality Management

• Coordinating the implementation of the SOS Children’s Village Care Promise Policy in the countries by providing technical expertise as well as facilitating the programme change
• Advises national programmes staff when setting targets and defining HR requirements and quality measures during the annual and strategic planning Advises national program staff in the development of and provides feedback on program ideas, concepts, and proposals for new types of interventions
• Supports MAs in entering into partnerships with local stakeholders and partners to effectively respond to the needs of the target group in the area of their
• Provides technical expertise to national program staff in program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Provides feedback, supports and monitors implementation of national plans and programmes in her/his area of specific

Support Learning and Knowledge management

• Support the development and implementation of strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for the children in the street situation project and conduct field monitoring visits, and provide report
• Share information with ESAF Programme functions about innovative programme approaches and supports the documentation of such approaches, good practices, and lessons
• Facilitates processes for internal and external knowledge sharing among national programs teams in the region and supports such processes between regions and keeps abreast with new program developments and regularly exchanges with advisors in other regions

Child Safeguarding (CS)

• Responsible for implementation and management of SOS Child Protection Policy in MA and for reporting to the national Board
• Ensures that co-workers and programmes do no cause harm to children and young people and that they are not exposed to the risk of harm and abuse
• Responsible to report any concerns the organization has about children’s safety in its programmes and within the communities to the appropriate authorities
• Ensures that co-workers act within national law, Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct and other child safeguarding requirements.

Knowledge, skills, qualifications, abilities and behavioral competences:

• A minimum of Master's degree in human rights, child rights, international law, psychology, social work or other relevant social science degree
• Essential: At least 5-7 years of professional work experience in fields relevant to child protection and alternative care programming/re-Integration
• Ability to provide strong leadership in programme planning, development, innovation, quality,
• Acts as a role model. Anticipates and plans for change. Communicates a vision to a team.
• Lead the development of innovative preventive and alternative care programmes, coordinate programme planning and knowledge management.
• Good knowledge and understanding of children’s rights and rights-based approaches in the development of programmes. Awareness and understanding of social development issues including gender, education, health, HIV/AIDS, etc.
• Communicates effectively, listens sensitively, adapts communication to audience and fosters effective communication with others
• Conforms to organizational policies and procedures
• Focuses on impact and outcome rather than process used to produce a quality programmes and services.

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above position, please send your detailed curriculum vitae (CV), and photocopies of academic certificates. Applications should be submitted electronically through the iCIIMS link provided. All applications should be submitted not later than 16th of April 2023**.**

Applications that are late do not have a CV or certificates attached will be disqualified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“SOS Children´s Villages has zero-tolerance neither on sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse nor fraud and corruption, amongst other safeguarding aspects. We also provide equal employment opportunities to all employees & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class. SOS Children´s Villages complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.”

This position involves working with an INGO committed to children and human rights and is subject to strict safer recruitment checks. The successful candidate will be required to complete safer recruitment checks including police and reference checks to help verify their suitability to work for SOS CV. In addition to candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, in the selection process will be also explored the motivation and approach of the candidate to safeguarding.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.