Project Manager – Hope, Empowerment, Resilience (H.E.R.) project. Full Time NEW

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Project Manager – H.E.R. for our operations in Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz.

Overall purpose of the role

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is seeking exceptionally qualified candidates for the position of Project Manager for Ethiopia-based activities of the Hope, Empowerment, Resilience (H.E.R.) project. H.E.R. is a multi-year project implemented in consortium with several INGO and local NGO partners in Sudan and Ethiopia. The project is aimed at supporting the resilience of areas and populations affected by forced displacement due to the conflict in Sudan, and to promote social cohesion among communities.

The role is responsible for managing the DRC programme staff in Assosa, as well as coordinating with other Consortium partners. Qualified candidates must demonstrate capacity in leading an integrated project team comprising staff from different sectors, as well capacity to strategically engage with stakeholders ranging from community members, local authorities, national governmental entities, the UN and non-governmental organizations. Successful candidates will be forward thinking and creative in their approaches and must embrace learning and adaptive management practices. The preferred candidate will have proven knowledge and experience of inclusive system approaches and gender transformative programming

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Project Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure the project is implemented in ways responsive to the beneficiary communities, donor compliance procedures and the TOC and vision of the project. This includes working under the overall leadership of the Consortium Manager and closely with the consortium members, national/local government, relevant stakeholders and community structures to successfully implement and strengthen local capacity.
• Provide leadership in all aspects of Project Cycle Management, including active participation in the completion of all programming components of the Programme Management Tools (PMT) for the ER-CAPH.E.R. project.
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, ensure that the project has appropriate monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems established (including impact evaluation), and that the project reporting is delivered.
• Ensure project activities are delivered according to the agreed project proposal and implementation plan, and that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe and budget reports are submitted as per the agreed schedule and formats are fulfilled as specified in signed agreements.
• Ensure work plans are regularly updated in collaboration with the project team, ensure project plans and project tracking tools are used by the team, and monitor project activity implementation.
• Ensure community participatory planning and targeting in line with project design and needs and following donor compliance procedures.
• Provide on-site support through frequent visits to all project sites.
• Engage with the various technical staff from DRC and partners to facilitate support to the team.
• Uphold the professional standards related to humanitarian assistance.
• Lead the technical aspects of budget revisions, realignments and other relevant processes and coordinate the inputs of other teams as needed.
• Uphold the highest standard of confidentiality when managing records to ensure beneficiary dignity and privacy.

Technical leaderships and staff capacity development:

• Mentor and coach the project teams, and support access to opportunities for professional development.
• Participate in relevant trainings, communities of practice and professional networks within DRC and externally to ensure the project is implemented with high technical standards and based on available evidence.
• Ensure that technical standards for programme quality and accountability are met.

Coordination & Partnership

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the project and ensure effective integration among the consortium members, with special attention for the specific needs and expectations of the project objectives/ aims.
• Ensure proper communication mechanisms are in place to guarantee effective and timely communication with project staff and the consortium members and management.
• Participate in regular external stakeholder meetings, represent the consortium and maintain external relations with the relevant government agencies and other stakeholders across the project areas.
• Promote collaboration and synergy between the consortium member project activities and similar projects, businesses and activities in the project areas.
• Promote a positive profile of the project and good understanding among other actors and communities about the project.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders
• Represent the project at interagency coordination meetings as we as other key stakeholder forums related to the sector.
• Ensure that adequate donor visibility is in place in all project locations and activities.

Operations:

• Contribute to the effective implementation of operations support activities related to the H.E.R. project, including related to administration, finances, and logistics, so as to ensure smooth project implementation.
• In all matters, comply with internal directives and policies as communicated by the Consortium Manager, Head of Programme, Head of Support Services, Safety and/or the relevant other departments.

Budget Management:

• Oversee DRC Ethiopia H.E.R. project budget planning, monitoring, cash forecasting and BFU reviews while working closely with the Consortium Manager and the DRC CO teams. Additionally, oversee the project budget in order to maintain project expenditure within budget parameters, ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Track budget spending and ensure timely reviews of financial transactions and budget utilization every month
• Support team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending plans, procurement plans, and work-plans based on activities and budgets.
• Anticipate potential over/under spending on activity budgets and proactively communicate these to the Consortium Manager, the DRC country team and other relevant colleagues.
• Provide expenditure forecasts to Consortium Manager/Finance on a monthly basis.

Staff Management

• Ensure timely performance and development management measures for the programme staff under his/her management, including appraisals and remedial actions in case of under-performance.
• Ensure that all project staff have clear objectives and receive regular supervision and reviews.
• Ensure appropriate participation of staff in project management, day to day implementation and decision making, and escalating issues as per the consortium governance structure.
• Ensure project staff members attend and participate in weekly and monthly office management meetings as per schedule.
• Ensure timely recruitment and replacement if the need arises of highly competent project staff
• Monitor and provide objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective setting, probation and performance evaluations to promote growth and development.

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 5 years’ experience working in international humanitarian and/or development aid, ideally with experience in a similar role (Consortium Manager, Project Manager, Programme Advisor);
• Experience in leading and managing projects in conflict-affected/fragile contexts.
• Experience working with different market actors to implement livelihood/self-reliance, gender mainstreaming, peace building/social cohesion, protection or advocacy interventions within financial inclusion programming context.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Experienced and excellent demonstrable understanding of project cycle management.
• Experience in capacity development of staff and in convening and facilitating training and workshops.
• Technical expertise in inclusive systems approaches and/or gender transformative programming is an asset.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) and presentation skills.
• Possess sense of cultural awareness, sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Strong organizational, team spirit and teamwork skills.

   

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Degree in political science, international development, social work humanitarian law, migration or related field.

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Full professional proficiency in English and Amharic essential.
• Arabic language skills an asset.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: 1 Year
• Contract Type: National Contract
• Band: F2 – Management
• Designation of Duty Station: Assosa.
• Start date: ASAP
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees