Project Coordinator 75 views

About the Project and the Partnership

The Ministry of Education (MoE) envisions a sustainable education system that guarantees quality and equitable education for all. Teachers are key to realizing this vision, as they play a central role in shaping the future of students. However, in Ethiopia, teachers face significant financial challenges. To address this bottleneck, the MoE, along with its partners, is considering developing and launching a project focused on establishing a teacher’s cooperative bank.

Teachers’ cooperative banks play a crucial role in enhancing the financial well-being of educators by offering favorable loans, savings programs, and financial guidance. These banks are designed to meet the unique financial needs of teachers, fostering resilience and contributing to the development of their communities. By promoting financial inclusion, they provide access to credit, encourage savings, and create an environment that supports financial literacy, ultimately helping members achieve better financial health. Among others, the key objectives of the Teachers Cooperative Bank are to:

• Promote Financial Empowerment: Ensure educators have access to affordable banking services tailored to their specific financial needs.
• Foster Financial Inclusion: Increase access to banking services for underbanked and unbanked individuals in the community.
• Enhance Community Development: Reinvest profits into educational and small business initiatives that benefit the local community.
• Increase Financial Literacy: Offer programs to boost financial knowledge among members, empowering them to make informed financial decisions.
• Support Sustainable Growth: Design financial products and services that evolve to meet the changing needs of teachers, ensuring long-term viability.
• Ensure Financial Stability: Establish sound risk management practices and adequate capital reserves to safeguard the bank’s financial health.

The e-Learning for Strengthening Higher Education is a project led by MoE in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University, and Shayashone PLC. It is one of the transformative projects under the ministry with the primary mission of supporting Ethiopian higher education institutes to realize digital education. Along this trajectory, the e-SHE addresses critical ecosystem-level issues that undermine the teaching and learning process and quality of education, as well as tries to address barriers to the transformational aspirations of the education sector. Financial inclusion of teachers at every level is deemed as one of these critical underlying bottlenecks that need to be resolved for sustainable, quality, and inclusive education delivery by serving as an important instrument to attract, retain, and motivate in-service teachers and those aspiring to pursue a career in teaching. To this end, Shayashone PLC is organizing the recruitment process for the position highlighted below on behalf of the e-SHE partnership in general and the MoE in particular.

Short Description of Position

The purpose of these Terms of Reference (TOR) is to outline the scope and deliverables for hiring a Project Coordinator for the Teachers’ Cooperative Bank project. The Project Coordinator will support the Project Manager in executing operational, financial, and technical aspects of the project, ensuring all deliverables are met effectively and efficiently. The coordinator will focus on facilitating communication, developing financial models, and assisting with business planning and risk management.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Business Plan Development:
  • Contribute to the development of a comprehensive business plan for the cooperative bank, ensuring it aligns with both the community’s needs and the broader goals of the initiative.
  • Support the preparation of business plan sections such as executive summaries, financial analyses, and risk assessments.
• Financial Modelling and Planning:
  • Create a 5-year financial model to project the cooperative bank’s profitability and sustainability.
  • Develop cost structures, revenue projections, and financial forecasts that support the business plan.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to evaluate funding requirements and explore various sources of capital.
• Risk Assessment and Management:
  • Conduct risk assessments on financial products, strategies, and funding models, providing recommendations to mitigate potential risks.
  • Work with the Project Manager to implement risk management frameworks that safeguard the financial integrity of the cooperative bank.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Prepare progress reports, financial reports, and performance analysis, ensuring stakeholders are informed of the project’s progress and financial status.
  • Assist in compiling and delivering presentations to stakeholders, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communication.
• Stakeholder Coordination:
  • Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment between technical and financial aspects of the project.
  • Facilitate meetings with financial experts, government representatives, and community leaders to ensure all stakeholders are informed and engaged.
• Progress and Performance Reports:
  • Regular updates on project progress, financial health, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, and Project Management.
• At least 7 years of progressively increasing experience in coordinating large-scale projects related to banking, capital markets, micro-finance, digital finance, and related sectors.
• Mastery-level skills in Microsoft Office applications and Project management tools

Functional/Sector Competencies

• Solid understanding of financial sector operations, systems, and governance, with exposure to project planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Experience providing technical and administrative support in projects related to bank establishment, capital markets development, investment management, or financial inclusion.
• Familiarity with financial product development, business model design, and market assessments.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, coordination with financial institutions, and support for partnership or investor mobilization activities.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s financial sector policies, regulatory frameworks, and licensing procedures.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Good analytical and reporting skills

Ethical Considerations and Confidentiality

• The Project Manager is required to adhere to ethical standards and confidentiality agreements, ensuring sensitive project data, financial information, and personal details are protected throughout the project.