Project Coordinator

Program: The meaningful Participation and Inclusion of Children and Youth with Disabilities in all domain of CBR.

Location: Birol and Kaharol Upazila of Dinajpur

Reporting To: Executive Director / Program Director/Project Focal

Organization Overview:

Dipshikha is a renowned non-governmental organization (NGO) in Bangladesh. Dipshikha was initiated by a group of social workers, school teachers and youth in 1978 in a village called Rudrapur, Dinajpur. Dipshikha is a Bengali word meaning, "Spark of Light". It is a rural development, non-government, non-political, non-profit voluntary organization. Dipshikha- a sparkle, commits itself to poverty alleviation, establishment of equal opportunities, peace and justice by ensuring formational education, appropriate agriculture, hygiene, sanitation, skills promotion and supports for income generation adjustable as time requires for the development of the poor, marginalized and deprived of the rural, semi-urban and urban communities in descending priority. Dipshikha with a team of dedicated, skilled and competent workers cherishes and practices the principles of human dignity, ethical values, participation, team-work, mutual respect and inter-religious harmony with clearly defined policies.

Dipshikha is implementing projects named "The Meaningful Participation and Inclusion of Children and Youth with Disabiliti in All Domains of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR)" and Meaningful participation of with disabilities (inc. youth affected by leprosy youth with disabilities (inc. youth affected by leprosy) (aged 12-25) in Dinajpur district which is Financially and Technically supported by the Liliane Fonds-The Netherlands and Centre for Disability in Development (CDD).

This collaboration between the Liliane Fonds and CDD highlights the importance of empowering Children and Youth with Disabilities and integrating their needs into mainstream community development. By addressing barriers and fostering inclusion, the project will contribute to building more equitable and accessible societies for children and youths with disabilities.

Job Overview:

The Project Cordinator will ensure that all aspects of both the the projects are running smoothly as per agreed project documents and budget . He/She will follow up on the day-to-day business of the project, while also ensuring project activities are on track. The Project coordinator is responsible for developing a comprehensive project plan that outlines the project`s objectives, scope, timeline, budget, resources, and deliverables, The This position will also facilitate and nurture a good relationship with families of identified youths, advocating for an enabling and safe space for youths with disabilities and youths affected by leprosy to combat stigma and discrimination.

Responsibilities and Duties (This is summary of the role and not limited to perform):

Responsible for the development of the project annual work plan with realistic and achievable long-term goals and short-term objectives and oversees weekly and monthly work plans in line with the implementation plan.

• Follow up and report on objectives that are achieved and on deviations from the work plan and budget.

• Provide a key co-ordination and implementation role, ensuring project management standards are followed and deadlines met.

• Monitor budget/expenditure based on the implementation plans; and analyzes Budget-versus-Actual reports to assess any discrepancies and ensure timely expenditure. Produce timely reports for internal use on the status of on-going programming; and contributes to donor reporting.

• Ensure that all activities are implemented with a focus on gender equality and disability inclusion.

• Liaise regularly with communities and ensures community participation especially children and youths with disabilities and their caregivers in all steps of project cycle.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

• Effectively support teams in aspects, which include assessments, baseline, and evaluation studies, putting in place a functional Activity Tracking Table.

• Ensure that the projects’ quality benchmarks are followed up and implemented in project interventions.

• Collecting and managing complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team

• Ensure regular monitoring of projects results, documentation of projects case studies, lessons learnt, significant changes and best practices and coordinating learning and reflection meetings/sessions.

• Ensure an effective programs/ projects monitoring, and evaluation systems is in place.

• Supervise team on their day-to-day activities.

• Assess training needs within the project team and develop an overall capacity building plan.

• Reporting: Review periodic project reports to ensure project activities and expenditures are on track and in line with reporting guideline and milestone.

Safeguarding:

• Ensure safe programming in the planning, implementation, monitoring, identification of children and youth with disabilities throughout the project period.

• Adhere to the Do no Harm principles across the entire steps of the project within the Program Management Cycle.

Coordination and Linkage:

• Ensure strong coordination with Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), Go and NGO, Local Government Institution, Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation (JPUF), Community Clinics and all relevant Government offices and service providers at Upzilla level. It also includes coordination with different internal departments of the organization. Initiative for formal partnership with service providers by signing MoU etc

• Able to plan and organize advocacy meeting independently at community level service provider

Key outcomes expected from this role:

• Projects are implemented as per project proposal and budget with quality and in a timely manner.

• Strong demonstration of disability inclusion and rights-based approach in program implementation.

• Commitment to promote the rights of children and youth with disabilities

• Strong experience in project management; maintain and uphold effective and professional relationships with partners, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Make informed decision and regularly update relevant colleagues on important issues.

• Promote and follow learning, adaptive and team approaches with the partners, within the organization and at individual levels.

• Knowledge of disability and related issues and global developments & cross cutting issues

• Experience in planning, implementation, monitoring and financial management in the development sector.

• Excellent experience of rapport building, networking, liaison and relationship building for advocacy.

Job Location: The position is based in Birol and Kaharol Upazila of Dinajpur and with regular travel to upazila and union level for implementation of project activities smoothly.