Project Manager – Horn of Africa at Adam Smith International

Role

The Africa team is hiring a Manager to take over the management of the Somalia Stability Fund III (a multi-donor fund active in Somalia since 2013 focused on governance, stability and peacebuilding programming in Somalia. No significant Business Development responsibilities are expected for this role.

Key Tasks

• Project Management and Reporting (30%)
  • Lead the project implementation and coordination process, its financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management, reporting, and learning.
  • The PM should monitor the workplan, both supporting the TL to lead delivery.
  • In collaboration with the TL and Senior Manager, ensure optimum consultant inputs and the achievement of the desired results. Hold monthly meetings with the TL to go over consultant burn rates, and discuss performance. Escalate performance issues to PD.
  • Support the TL on client reporting, and developing the forward work plan and the individual ToRs of team members.
• Financial Management and Risk Management (40%):
  • Oversight of budget drafting and ensuring budgets are reviewed quarterly with all stakeholders
  • Lead the project implementation and coordination process, its financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management, reporting, and learning.
  • The PM should monitor the workplan, both supporting the TL to lead delivery.
  • In collaboration with the TL and Senior Manager, ensure optimum consultant inputs and the achievement of the desired results. Hold monthly meetings with the TL to go over consultant burn rates, and discuss performance. Escalate performance issues to PD.
  • Support the TL on client reporting, and developing the forward work plan and the individual ToRs of team members.
  • Accurate financial forecasting and communicating to client on any changes early.
  • Ensure any incidents of fraud and corruption are raised with client in a timely manner.
  • Review and approve of all project timesheets and invoices, and ensure timely submission to client, and clarify any issues raised.
  • Ensure that financial and administrative processes and procedures are fit-for-purpose and are effectively implemented, and are in line with client and ASI’s internal requirements.
  • Act as focal point of programmatic risk management with client and partners, updating of the programme risk matrix by taking input from the key team members.
  • Work with the Security team to ensure the application of duty of care and security provisions and protocols for the project team.
  • Update FCDO and the Project Director on key management and financial issues and risks that may affect project delivery.
• M&E, Learning and VfM (10%)
  • Support the M&E Lead in the implementation of the M&E framework, and provide feedback to client.
  • Adapt flexible project managment while also capturing and sharing learning and changes, and following up on recommendation from project reviews/evaluations.
  • As active member of ASI Somalia Learning and VfM platform, proactively contribute to learnings and opportunities related to political economy and VfM.
  • Along with the M&E Lead, act as focal point for third-party M&E agents.
  • Support the M&E Lead in ensuring all M&E and learning systems and approaches are applied consistently across the project.
  • Lead the contract management of research and M&E firms contracted for the implementation of M&E services.
  • Working with the M&E Lead, undertake VfM analysis for the quarter/annual reports.
• Relationships, Team Performance and Management (20%)
  • Adapt flexible project managment while also capturing and sharing learning and changes, and following up on recommendation from project reviews/evaluations.
  • As active member of ASI Somalia Learning and VfM platform, proactively contribute to learnings and opportunities related to political economy and VfM.
  • Along with the M&E Lead, act as focal point for third-party M&E agents.
  • Support the M&E Lead in ensuring all M&E and learning systems and approaches are applied consistently across the project.
  • Lead the contract management of research and M&E firms contracted for the implementation of M&E services.
  • Working with the M&E Lead, undertake VfM analysis for the quarter/annual reports.

Key Account Responsibilities

• Project deliverables completed on time and within budget.
• Accurate expenses and fees forecasts submitted on time.
• All classified risks to project documented, mitigated and escalated if necessary.
• Strong and effective relationships developed with government counterparts, FCDO and other key stakeholders.
• Development and maintenance of a team culture within the project team that reflects ASI values;
• Increased corporate knowledge of industry and political developments within Somalia.
• Ensuring Duty of Care is provided for all staff.

NB: This is a local position and so does not offer expatriate benefits.

Requirements:

Qualifications

A post-graduate degree in Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences or equivalent

Experience Required

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in fragile states.
• Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa/horn of Africa.

Competencies

• Planning and delivering results.
• Quality and accountability.
• Continuous improvement.
• Managing complexity.
• Innovation and change management.
• Communication and knowledge management.
• Leadership and direction.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Personal impact and effectiveness.
• Proven ability to work under pressure.

Knowledge

• Good understanding of our clients and the marketplace, including:
• Strategy
• Political trends
• Awareness of future business opportunities
• Understanding of the theory and current trends in Somalia.
• Some understanding of how to balance operational needs with budgets.

Skills

• Good negotiation skills.
• Good complex proposal writing skills.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Good people management skills.
• Good budget, finance and forecasting skills.
• Ability to build effective, credible client relationships and networks.
• Excellent computer skills, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Outstanding written English and communication skills.
• Superb attention to detail.

Attitude

It is crucial for overall project and business performance that all ASI PMs bring an energetic, positive and solution-oriented attitude to co-lead their team:

• A passion for East Africa development.
• Interest and experience in working in developing and conflict-affected environments.
• Enthusiasm, dynamism and flexibility.
• Self-starter, showing great initiative and readiness to take the lead on the key areas of responsibility.
• Proactive communicator, interacting frequently via informal and formal channels with key collaborators, especially Team Leader, Deputy Team Leada, Project Director, workstream leads and FCDO programme manager.
• Positive, solution-oriented, can-do.