Job Description

1. Designation
We are seeking a Project Coordinator (PC) for an Early Childhood Development (ECD) project titled Leap Start ECD project: Leaving no one behind.

The PC will be responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of the necessary procedures and activities leading to the successful implementation and management of the Leap Start ECD project in four project districts, under the direction of the Project Manager (PM), guided by the Country Director (CD). The PC will perform project coordination including administrative duties requiring analysis, sound judgement, and a high level of knowledge of ECD in general and of the project itself.

The job holder will report to the PM and will work with a wide range of stakeholders within the organisation and beyond.

2. Who we are.
SolidarMed is an international development organisation, registered as a non-profit in Switzerland and working in 7 sub-Saharan countries. Our vision is a world in which all people can live in the best possible health, with dignity and self-determination.

In Zimbabwe, SolidarMed is duly registered with the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe as a Private Voluntary Organisation, with certificate number PVO/04/12. SolidarMed is a dynamic and flexible organisation with a clear vision to improve access to quality health care in rural communities. In Zimbabwe, it has a long-standing cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and supports the National Health Strategy of Zimbabwe. Projects offer support through an integrated approach in areas of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Adolescent Health, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), mental health and Early Childhood Development. SolidarMed are currently active in four districts of Masvingo Province, namely Bikita, Chiredzi, Masvingo and Zaka. SolidarMed is also active in conducting implementation research to produce evidence that guides interactions at provincial, national, and international levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

3. Key tasks and responsibilities
• The PC under the guidance of the PM nad CD is responsible for planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision of the ECD project activities within SolidarMed, in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Department of Social Services (DSS), Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education (MoPSE), and according to the project planning documents and the budget.
• Pro-actively undertakes activities to improve his/her skills in MERLA and project management and participates actively in, or completes, any other capacity building or training as requested by the PM to be able to adapt to the working environment. This includes remaining up to date on the latest guidelines, policies and best practices pertaining to ECD on a national level.
• Adheres to any project proposals, study protocols, Standard Operating Procedures and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) that are related to the project.
• Ensures scientific integrity of data and protect the rights, safety, and well-being of project beneficiaries.
• Assist in the drafting of plans, agreements, application, and renewal of permits with MRCZ/RCZ as needed.
• Assist in other administrative and logistic activities as assigned by the PM or CD.
• Report any observed irregularity or concern to the PM and/or CD.
• Organize and facilitate project related meetings, trainings and workshops and ensure that reports are produced and maintained properly.
• Provision of adequate project related materials and funds for Project Assistant’s use, to ensure continuity of activities.
• Ensure expenditure conform to the allocated budget and expenditure regulations, under guidance of and reporting directly to the PM.
• Schedule and pay regularly visits to the participating health facilities (in collaboration with key stakeholders) and community ECD centre representatives.

Planning
• Ensure quality and timely implementation of the programme activities against set objectives, targets, timelines, and budget as per the approved work plan and budget.
• In collaboration with the PM, the PC participates in developing the Yearly Plan of Operations (YPO) and the budget for the project.
• Coordinates and monitors proactively the implementation of all activities under his/her responsibility as stipulated in the YPO. With prior approval from the DHE, visits selected health facilities as designated by the project.
• Assists in the organisation of outreaches, tutorials or trainings/workshops that will be organised by SolidarMed in collaboration with the MoHCC.
• The PC always ensures feedback to the PM and immediately in the event of challenges to project implementation.

Partnerships
The Project Coordinator is a representative of SolidarMed at district and provincial level. He/she will:
• Support the PM in the good integration of SolidarMed activities into the district plans and in the development of good working relations with stakeholders such as the MoHCC, DSS, MoPSE, and any other NGOs, CBOs or FBOs working in the same area.
• Liaise continually with all stakeholders at district level (hospital management boards, District Health Executives, other relevant NGOs) including SolidarMed PAs and indirectly, through the PAs, with the direct implementers of the project activities (Health facility staff, Case Care Workers, Village Health Workers) to ensure the professional implementation of SM activities.
• Develop and hand in quarterly reports to the district leaders and Hospital Management Teams and maintains contact and good relations with these institutions.
• Support the PM on all levels during visits from SolidarMed headquarters or during visits from donors.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adapting (MERLA)
The PC will oversee all ECD project MERLA activities in the four districts, and will:
• Monitor and ensure that the implementation of the project is done according to project description.
• Hold regular formal and informal meetings with all stakeholders to ensure that project implementation is on track and to be able to identify serious obstacles early and report to the PM. This includes participating in any project planning meetings that might take place at district or provincial level involving early childhood development.
• Participate in assessments and evaluations concerning current activities and/or newly planned activities.
• Ensure timely compilation and submission of regular periodical project YPO, narrative and financial reports and other progress reports as may be required from time to time.
• Assist in the collection of data on M&E indicators as per project description.
• Monitor data for completeness and accuracy together with the PM and assist in data cleaning and analysis.
• Prepares and submits to the PM a monthly YPO report of ECD activities.
• Back up data on Cloud (SharePoint) and external hard drive at regular intervals

Qualifications and Experience

4. Your qualifications, skills, and experience
• Be a humanitarian development professional with a medical/nursing qualification with master’s degree and specialisation preferably in a child development discipline such as child counselling, child psychology or related field.
• Nutrition, Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Development Studies will be considered.
• Experience managing stakeholders at provincial and district levels, e.g., schools, health management teams, community leadership, local government, etc., and mobilization skills.
• Training in GCP/research ethics.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a maternal and early childhood development-focused programming environment in an NGOs is preferable.
• Proven Information Communication Technology skills and proficiency in MS Office tools.
• Strong coordination, and management skills.
• Sound knowledge of Monitoring & Evaluation and ECD programming is an asset.
• Ability to work within cross-cultural/international teams.

5. Your attributes and motivations
• Highly motivated, reliable, and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to social change and to SolidarMed’s values and principles.
• Enthusiastic, positive, determined, and flexible team player.
• Highly developed communication skills with demonstrated cultural sensitivity.
• Able and willing to travel within the country.
• Demonstrate integrity by modelling the SolidarMed values and ethical standards.