Project Manager, Eldoret- Iten Water Fund Project at Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company Limited (ELDOWAS)

JOB REF:  ELDOWAS/2025/PM/06– 1 post

Reporting to: Resilient Water Sheds Manager.

Department:  Eldoret Iten Water Fund Project

Terms of Engagement: One (1) Year contract

Job Grade: Grade 10

Job description General

As a Project Manager (PM) you will provide overall management of the project on a day-to-day basis, implementing activities, ensuring the achievement of planned results and providing sound administration of project finances. You will also provide advice and technical assistance to project implementing partners and participants.

You will liaise with project implementing and collaborating partner, including the Public Institutions, County Governments, private sector partners as well as key stakeholders for successful implementation of the project. The PM will be accountable to the TNC Water Funds Director.

Responsibilities as a project manager include:

• Plan and design all project activities in the EIWF project, including preparation of the Annual Work Plan (AWP), Monitoring and Evaluation plan and Procurement Plans.
• Ensure timely preparation, clearances, and approvals of Annual Workplans and Budgets (AWPBs), Procurement Plans (PPs), progress reports and annual project reports.
• Lead the elaboration of the work plan and ensure activities are implemented within the agreed timeframe as well as report any issues which may delay project implementation.
• Coordinate the implementation of field activities as per approved annual workplan, including participatory land use planning, introduction of sustainable land, pasture, and forest management, and strengthening of value chains and other related activities.
• Ensure all expenses covered by the project are prepared, spent, and settled with receipts and account reports as per GEF and IFAD rules and regulations, and that procurement and other contractual arrangements are conducted following the IFAD and TNC procedures.
• Provide leadership and contribute to capacity building and development of project staff for successful project implementation, including gender and youth mainstreaming.
• Ensure and monitor the delivery of appropriate technical expertise to the project and its partners/participants in the project area as specified in the final design report and provide programmatic guidance to project staff.
• Overall responsibility of the recruitment process of the service providers and formalization of MoUs with implementing and collaborating partners and formation of other bodies that are necessary for the implementation of the different activities under the project.
• Adapt and introduce knowledge management and practice sharing mechanisms, including provision of necessary training and capacity building on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Land Management practices.
• Make emphasis on targeted Global Environmental Benefits (GEBS) and ensure their timely reporting for all project components.
• Introduce mechanism for coordination and mainstreaming of Biodiversity conservation and SLM efforts among various partners and stakeholders.
• Supervise project staff and oversee the work of the different service providers and teams.
• Provide required coordination for project outreach and communication plan.
• Implement the project’s performance measurement and monitoring systems, which includes regular performance monitoring and evaluation of the project using a participatory approach with partners/participants.
• Provide regular progress reports to different Coordination Committees, Project Steering Committee, and IFAD.
• Facilitate and support the work of IFAD supervision, follow-up, midterm, and completion missions.
• Manage with integrity and transparency the project funds, including the regular development of budgets, monitoring of expenditures, and providing to the PSC quarterly financial reports together with other key financial records for certification and audit
• Guide the preparation of written materials, communication outputs and special reports for the project.

Partnership development:

• Rallying private sector stakeholders to support nature-based solutions implementation for water security through watersheds conservation
• Ensure proper collaboration channels with the two partner County Governments of Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet and ensure proper and timely recording of their in-kind contribution to the project
• Manage relationships with all project steering committee members and private sector partners supporting the project
• Keep close contact with the responsible officer(s) and Government counterparts and the IFAD.

Key competences/ qualifications:

Technical competencies

• A master’s degree in environmental studies or engineering, Natural Resources Management, Agricultural science or engineering or related discipline relevant to Environmental and water conservation with sound knowledge of contemporary issues in Kenya’s rural economy
• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience in project management at the local or/and international level; with extensive knowledge of application of SLM practices
• Ability to use computer programs such Microsoft office for project reporting, data analysis and planning
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Advanced level of English and Swahili languages is required.
• Knowledge and experience of multilateral donor project management is an asset.
• Experience in program/project matters with international organizations (GEF, UNCCD, UNFCCC, INGOs etc.) or high-level government programs would be desirable.

Project Management competencies

• Solid management skills in development projects, particularly on Biodiversity conservation or SLM at national or international level.

Contract period:

One-year contract renewable, with 3 months’ probation period, renewable based on agreed performance targets and deliverables.