Exciting opportunity as Program Coordinator/National Director for Special Olympics Ethiopia

Are you a proactive, self-driven and positive person who would like to make a difference? This is the opportunity for you!

Through sports, we display the skills and dignity of our athletes. Special Olympics in Ethiopia is raising awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. At the same time, Special Olympics brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together to see and take part in the transformative power of sports. Through Special Olympics we’ve got a chance to fight negative stereotypes and misperceptions. We provide educational experiences for families, coaches, volunteers and teachers to enhance their knowledge and show them how the Special Olympics experience can transcend all aspects of their lives.

SO Ethiopia missions is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympics type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts skills and friendship with their families other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

We expecting the role to be started in November 2024 and the tentative end date is December 2025, with a possibility of extension.

We are looking for a replacement for this exciting and prestigious role. As Coordinator you will work closely with the board of directors.

Main roles and responsibilities:

The Program Coordinator /National Director will be responsible for the overall strategic and daily management of the Special Olympics Ethiopia Program and national office and will be accountable to the Board of Directors.

Key Performance Areas:

• Ensure that policies are developed, ratified and adhered to in-order to facilitate smooth program implementation and legal compliance
• Ensure compliance with all statutory and legal requirement including the Special
• Olympics General Rules and meet all accreditation requirements biennially
• Oversee the Finance Function, ensure proper leadership of SOE financial affairs, and prepare Annual Financial Statements, Management Accounts and Financial reports to the Board and Donors.
• Develop and design project proposals to generate income for SO Ethiopia
• Facilitate collaboration and synergies with SO Ethiopia project teams and other co-implementing partners.
• Manage the human capital function including staff planning, recruitment, appraisals, monitoring, disciplinary and grievance procedures, staff development.
• Provide administrative support to the Board of Directors and the secretariat
• Network to the benefit of SOE including establishing and nurturing relationships with government departments, Federations, NGO’s and organizations with whom SOE may have a synergistic relationship
• With the Board of Directors, solicit financial support that will facilitate SOE expansion, consistent representation at World Games and secure its future through long term planning/ endowment funds
• Public relations and awareness by acting as Liaison with media and spokesperson on behalf of Special Olympics Ethiopia and actively seek and engage in opportunities that will raise the awareness and exposure of SOE
• Ensure the growth of SOE both nationally, regionally and internationally by maintaining and improving the quality of programs offered in Ethiopia.
• Draft, facilitate adoption and implement a strategic plan which surpasses the term of the CEO, includes succession planning and sees SOE positioned as a charity of choice with a highly favorable association amongst the Ethiopian public
• Use the M&E system to track project progress against the annual plan and follow up with consortium partners when there are implementation delays
• Report any technical issues with the system to the Country Lead
• Other tasks as necessary.

About You

Qualifications:

Educational level and qualifications required: Must have MA/ BA in Sport Development, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Special Needs Education, Project Management, International Development, or other related field of studies.

Experience: 3 years for MA, 6 years for BA, 2 years’ experience in supervisory or coordinating position

Relevant experience in Sport development, disability projects is desirable.

Other competencies/attributes:

The following competencies are crucial for this role:

• Awareness and understanding of social and sport development issues and policies relevant for persons with intellection disabilities, such as CRPD, SDG, etc
  • Excellent command of the English language including both written and verbal. A lot of the project communication takes place with project partners abroad.
  • Excellent skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, planning, coordination and leadership
  • Knowledge of programme cycle management
  • Project monitoring and evaluation skills
  • Basic computer skills (Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc.)
  • Previous experience working with Sport Federations, national or international NGOs is a strong advantage

• You will be based at the SO Ethiopia Head Office in Addis Ababa. Some travel should be expected in this role.
• Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Please submit your CV and cover letter to [email protected].
• Application deadline: 25 October 2024