Senior Project Coordinator

European (EU) Union Support to Public Finance Management Reforms in Ethiopia (EUSPRE) Programme

Terms of Reference for a Project Coordinator

Title Senior Project Coordinator (Local)
Reports to Head of the Office of the Auditor General (OFAG)
Period 1st November 2024 to 31st December 2026
Location Office of the Federal Auditor General (OFAG), Addis Ababa
Special Conditions Some travel may be required to the regions and some out of work hours’ may be required

About OFAG

OFAG strives to contribute towards strengthening the accountability, transparency, and integrity of the Federal Government and its entities by conducting independent and high-quality audits for the past almost 80 years. The office also strives to demonstrate ongoing relevance to citizens, parliament, and other stakeholders by conducting value-adding audit services.

OFAG has the responsibility to perform different types of audits such as Financial Audits, Compliance Audits, Performance Audits, Environmental Audits, Information Technology Audits, and Investigation Audits on all federal government ministries, agencies, and other offices based on the mandates given and deliver reliable and accurate audit information through its audit reports to support the House of Peoples’ Representatives in carrying out its responsibilities and to strengthen the performance, transparency, and accountability as well as the good governance of the Federal Government for the benefit of the Ethiopian citizens.

About the EU and the EUSPRE Programme

The European Union (EU) supports the efforts of Ethiopia to eradicate poverty, to foster inclusive and sustainable economic, social, and environmental development while promoting human rights, democracy, and other elements of good governance.

The European Union Support for Public Finance Reforms in Ethiopia (EUSPRE) programme has been established to support public financial management reforms in Ethiopia to key grant beneficiaries – including the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Federal Auditor General (OFAG), the Public Procurement Service (PPS), and the House of People’s Representatives (via the OFAG and TFU components of EUSPRE) to strengthen the successful implementation of the Public Financial Management Reforms.

The EUSPRE program is designed to enhance transparency and efficiency of public financial management for better service delivery and inclusive development.

The EUSPRE Programme has four interlinked and mutually supportive Specific Objectives: increased leadership in the steering of the reforms by benefiting institutions; improved service delivery for all through a more effective PFM system at the local level and improved budget oversight and budget scrutiny by the relevant national institutions.

The specific objective of the program is to improve budget oversight and budget scrutiny by the relevant national institutions.

The Technical Facility Unit (TFU) component of the EUSPRE Programme will support public financial management institutions in Ethiopia, including the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Federal Auditor General (OFAG), the Public Procurement and Property Disposal Service (PPPDS), and the House of People Representatives.

OFAG and other institutions will be supported by the TFU to improve transparency and efficiency of public financial management, which will benefit service delivery and inclusive development.

The TFU will provide technical assistance and in-service training in areas including, but not limited to, budgeting, procurement, accounting, auditing (internal and external), and oversight; provide coaching for gender-responsive budgeting; and strengthen IBEX/ IFMIS IT systems.  It will also support and report to the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) on the activities of the entire EUSPRE Programme.

Assignment Objectives and Reporting Line

OFAG has secured a grant from the European Union as part of the EUSPRE Programme to be applied towards capacity building activities designing different projects over a three-year period. To achieve this, OFAG is seeking experienced candidates for the position of Project Coordinator based in Addis Ababa to manage European Union (EU) funded and related projects. The capacity building projects respond to key areas identified by OFAG to strengthen the audit processes including transparency and accountability.

The Senior Project Coordinator will report to the Head of the Auditor General Office. The Senior Project Coordinator will work closely with Audit Directorates, Planning and Budget Directorate, Finance, Procurement and Property Management Directorate, Information System Service Directorate & IT Audit Unit, Foreign and Public Relation Directorate, Women and Youth Affairs Directorate, Audit Quality Assurance Directorate, and Education and Training Directorate. The Senior Project Coordinator is responsible for directly coordinating, managing, implementing, and providing technical support, monitoring and evaluation, documentation, and reporting for the EU funded and related projects. The position ensures quality implementation and adherence to technical standards in line with donor policy, procedure, and OFAG regulations and policies.

The Senior Project Coordinator will work closely with the TFU with regard to project coordination and reporting.

The Assignment / Responsibilities

Project Design, Planning, and Implementation:

  • Coordinate and manage the implementation of the OFAG EUSPRE Grant project activities and other projects ensuring that they are implemented according to schedule, budget, quality standards, and OFAG’s and partners’ guidelines and are properly coordinated with other project funded activities.
  • Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, and budgets, and monitor progress towards project goals and objectives.
  • Work closely with project teams to identify and address implementation challenges and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
  • Develop project concept notes, terms of references, and requests for proposals and identify innovative approaches to addressing priority needs and interests.
  • Identify capacity gaps that exist within OFAG and propose capacity building interventions within the projects.

Project Monitoring and Reporting:

  • Monitor project progress and report on project status to OFAG leadership, donors, and other stakeholders.
  • Conduct regular project review meetings and prepare progress reports, including identification of areas for improvement.
  • Work with project teams to ensure that project deliverables are completed according to quality standards.
  • Constantly monitor the operational environment and assess risks that can affect project implementation.
  • Properly document and share project processes, achievements, learning, and impacts including the visibility of the Donor.
  • Monitor project implementation to identify lessons learned, best practices, and areas for improvement, and incorporate feedback to adapt project strategies and activities.
  • Ensure gender, age, and disability disaggregated data collection and that accurate data are used in post-distribution monitoring, project reviews, evaluations, and reporting.
  • Support the Planning and Budget Directorate in maintaining and reporting against the project log frame and monitoring framework.

Technical and Administrative Support:

  • Provide leadership on administrative and operational aspects of the project including assistance with procurement, logistics, safeguards, and financial management.
  • Ensure the project develops and maintains project files, including contracts, agreements, and other relevant documents.

Stakeholder Engagement: 

  • Build and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including the donors, partners, and other relevant organizations.
  • Ensure that project stakeholders are regularly informed about project progress and results.
  • Work with program staff to identify and pursue new project opportunities.
  • Facilitate interactions and dialogue between OFAG’s team and interested partners and stakeholders.

Donor Compliance:

  • Ensure compliance with donor guidelines by coordinating and overseeing the implementation of projects in accordance with the requirements of the donor.

Training and Capacity Building:

  • Provide training and capacity building support to OFAG staff and project teams to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the donor’s guidelines and compliance requirements. This may include training in financial management, procurement, reporting, and other related topics.
  • Organize team building sessions to ensure the synergy of the OFAG team.
  • Perform any other duties related to the successful implementation of the project as required.

Perform additional tasks requested by the immediate supervisor.

Qualifications for this assignment:

The Senior Project Coordinator should possess an in-depth knowledge and experience of project management. He or she must possess good communication skills and be capable of providing continuing capacity building activities to OFAG’s project and other teams.

The Senior Project Coordinator must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications, expertise, and experience:

  • Minimum BSc/BA in business administration, project management, economics, development studies, or any other related discipline. MSc/MA in similar fields is preferred.
  • Minimum twelve (12) years’ experience of which seven (7) years should be at the managerial level and at the supervisory level.
  • Proven experience in project management, preferably in financial management, procurement, and auditing.
  • Ability and proven experience to document project results, and develop analytical and well-written, cohesive reports with good communication skills and proper written and spoken English responsive to the donor’s needs.
  • Experience working with a range of donors such as the EU, UNDP, World Bank, FCDO, USAID, and others.
  • Completion of 2 project coordination assignments in a similar environment in Ethiopia or the sub-region;
  • Strong project management skills with PMP certification.
  • Excellent spoken and written English and Amharic language skills.
  • Knowledge of accounting principles is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with EU procurement procedures and practices is highly desirable; and
  • Prior experience of working with the Government of Ethiopia is highly desirable.

Languages:

  • Excellent verbal and written English and Amharic.

Other requirements:

  • Adequate Computer technical skills in data processing.
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Project.

Skills and competencies:

  • Familiarity with relevant donors and government priorities, strategies, and regulations.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • A good planner, organizer, and strategic thinker.
  • High level of commitment to organizational values.
  • Ability to work well under pressure.

Methodology

The Senior Project Coordinator will be supervised by the Head of the Office of the Auditor General to coordinate the implementation of the project. The Project Coordinator will work on a full-time basis and be located in the office of OFAG. She/he is expected to travel to the field and related places of the project.

Duration of the assignment

The Senior Project Coordinator will work initially for one year, starting from November 2024, and have an opportunity for a 2-year extension based on work quality and satisfactory performance.

Payment

The payment is as per the project scale.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send CVs and scanned academic degrees and experiences via email or in person to the address indicated below on or before October 14, 2024.

 

Office of the Federal Auditor General (OFAG)

Address: Bole Road, Flamingo Area

Tel: +251 929140858 / +251 912407350

Email: info@ofag.gov.et and CC to ofaghr@gmail.com

Website: www.ofag.gov.et