Orphans & Child Welfare National Goal-Getters Project Manager

Position Identification

Position Title      :  Orphans & Child Welfare National Goal-Getters Project Manager

Organization       :  Islamic Relief South Africa

Reports to            :  National Orphans & Child Welfare Program Manager

Purpose of Position

• To contribute to the design, establishment, development, implementation and regular review of the Goal-Getters Project with OSP and all partnered schools and educational centres in terms of its work plans and systems to achieve the agreed Project objectives.
• To contribute, manage and develop a cohort of staff in order to ensure that the Project is capable of fully achieving its agreed targets.
• The Project Manager will be responsible for the administrative field aspect of the Goal-Getters Project and its activities nationally, and will report directly to the National Orphans & Child Welfare Program Manager.
• The Project Manager will also be responsible for the management of partnered educational centres and schools’ projects related to the funding model and its activities, and will report directly to the National Orphans & Child Welfare Program Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Establishment of the Goal-Getters Project (GGP)

• Lead the setup and implementation of the Goal-Getters Project in three operational regions – Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the Western Cape, ensuring alignment with Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA) policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish the project as a long-term partnership between IRSA and educational centres/schools.

Project Management

• Ensure assigned missions are implemented according to plan, overseeing all stages from initiation to completion, and meeting agreed objectives according to the established timeframe.
• Revise the budget and model over time, as needed, based on input and feedback from key stakeholders.
• Ensure project documentation is properly maintained, including Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (PMER), and for audit purposes.
• Assist in the drafting and managing of project Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure good governance.
• Maintain a record of rightsholder data that speaks to performance and progress, regularly reviewing the data and utilizing it to further improve the project.

Reporting

• Prepare and submit all progress reports for the Goal-Getters Project to the National Orphans & Child Welfare Program Manager and IRSA, ensuring they meet agreed timelines and quality standards.
• Develop and present quarterly and annual reports of the Goal-Getters Project, including the drafting of monthly project updates and narrative activity reports.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Oversee the efficient administration of project finances, consultant contracts, and other administrative tasks, ensuring proper record-keeping.
• Provide timely and high-quality financial reports to the National Orphans & Child Welfare Program Manager.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls, legislative requirements, and sound financial and resource management.

Field and Social Welfare Management

• Conduct periodic home/school visits to rightsholders to monitor changes in their social life and collect updated data.
• Facilitate psychosocial events for rights holders, ensuring needs assessments are conducted and the activities are aligned with their welfare.
• Prepare and present proposals relevant to rightsholders and their families to fulfil the objectives of the Goal-Getters Project.
• Establish a close working relationship with the Regional Safeguarding Leads, periodically reviewing the nature of the project’s activities to ensure its alignment with IRSA and IRW safeguarding policies and procedures

Team Management and Stakeholder Coordination

• Lead and manage a team Life Skills Mentors in each region, ensuring their general welfare and overseeing staff performance and development.
• Liaise with the OCW Program Manager frequently regarding team capacity building to ensure the team is well-equipped to deliver the project’s objectives according to a high standard of delivery.
• Work hand-in-hand with IRSA’s grants team when approaching local and international NGOs and official agencies to maximise the programme’s impact – with particular attention to events and workshops, where specialized expertise could be utilized for further the project’s impact.
• Oversee and manage the relationship with stakeholders from satellite offices where OCW Care Workers will be stationed, ensuring responsibilities as outlined in the MOUs are adhered to
• Ensure staff grievances and disciplinary matters are handled fairly in accordance with IR policies and code of conduct. Ensure staff grievances and disciplinary matters are handled fairly, and in a timley manner.

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Project Monitoring and On-site Leadership

• Assist and support the M&E team to maintain a well-communicated schedule for all phases of the project, establishing effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure effective implementation of all programme activities.
• Provide leadership on-site, building and motivating the team to meet project goals, adhere to responsibilities, and maintain milestones.
• Record, track, and report relevant project indicators.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management

• Ensure the Goal-Getters Project activities are in line with partner, donor, and field structure needs and is implemented in a way that minimises organisational risk.
• Continuously analyse and adapt the Project’s activities to respond to internal and external risks.
• Ensure the quality of programmes and services in all three regions, in line with IRSA’s programs department, and broader organisational strategy and various codes of conduct.

Project Governance and Documentation

• Maintain detailed project files and documentation, including individual rightsholders files, ensuring adherence to IRSA and IRW policies.
• Be responsible for the technical operations of the Goal-Getters Project, including project equipment, assets, and records management.
• Assist the MEAL team in developing and present case studies to support marketing and fundraising efforts for the Goal-Getters Project.

Other Responsibilities

• Spend approximately 60% of the year in the field, ensuring direct oversight and engagement with the programme’s beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Travel at least 4 times a year – once per quarter, to the two other regions to conduct field visits
• Perform any other duties (ADHOC) as requested by the management in line with the job purpose.

Key Interfaces

National Program Manager – Orphans and Child Welfare

Life Skills Mentors

Focal persons at Educational Centres

National MEAL Coordinator

OSP National Project Manager

HOD: Programmes

Chief Executive Officer

Educational Qualifications

Bachelors Degree in Social Work/ Social Sciences, Development, or relevant qualification is essential.

or

A qualification at NQF Level 7 in a related field (aligned with the role of Project Manager)

Skills and Knowledge

• Minimum of 3 years of successful project management experience, managing projects of medium complexity, in the humanitarian/ social development field, including rehabilitation, and capacity building (or 5 years successful project management experience without NQF Level 7, according to CIFTER).
• Fluent written and spoken English (Afrikaans and Xhosa, isiZulu are advantageous).
• Proven ability and experience in people and activity management as well as delegating roles and authority in a way in which enables teams to reach their targets/objectives.
• Proven experience of developing and implementing strategies and work plans which help to deliver the wider organisational objectives.
• Ability to respond to a dynamic and changing environment.
• Ability to guide staff development towards achieving key performance indicators and delivering development activities which assist the organisation in achieving its targets.
• Demonstrable experience in consultative team approaches to decision making and innovation which motivates and drives teams forward.
• Sound communication skills which deliver complex information persuasively and with clarity.
• Proven ability and experience in analysing data which enables sound conclusions and recommendations to be drawn.
• Experience managing child development and protection for a minimum period of three years at field office level.
• Demonstrates the flexibility and energy that is required for a high level of self-management and awareness

Critical Skills & Membership

• Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) or another relevant, reputable, recognised body
• The Project Manager should aim to obtain PMSA membership or other relevant project management membership and critical skills certification to meet professional and industry standards.

Key Islamic Relief Qualities Required

• It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to IR’s vision and mission as per below:

• Excellence (Ihsan): Our actions in tackling poverty are marked by excellence in our operations and conduct which are deserving of the people we serve.
• Sincerity (Ikhlas): In responding to poverty and suffering our efforts are driven by sincerity to God and the need to fulfil our obligations to humanity
• Social Justice (Adl): Our work is founded on enabling people and institutions to fulfil the rights of the poor and vulnerable. We work to empower the dispossessed towards realising their God-given human potential and developing their capabilities and resources.
• Compassion (Rahma): We believe the protection and well-being of every life is of paramount importance and we shall join with other humanitarian actors to act as one in responding to suffering brought on by disasters, poverty and injustice.
• Custodianship (Amana): We uphold our duty of custodianship over the earth, its resources and the trust people place in us as humanitarian and development practitioners to be transparent and accountable.