Project Manager

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a:

Project Manager – Dakar, Senegal

Overview

The position will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forests and Ecosystems of the European Union (CEBio-Eco/AO) of which CIFOR is the lead programme coordinator. The holder of the position will coordinate delivery of the program in West Africa as well as the cross-cutting components across, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa.

Summary of responsibilities

1. Serve as the primary country level point of contact for the program coordination with the donor, principal investigator and partners.
2. Ensure the project is planned and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase-out and sustainability.
3. Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the program in West Africa throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CIFOR quality and compliance principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
4. Manage the relationships within West Africa consortium partners as secretary of the steering committee comprised of senior leadership from the partner agencies.
5. Oversee the identifications, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to the project and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
6. Represent CIFOR-ICRAF and the CoE Project at national and international events at international circles, highlighting innovative work.
7. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CIFOR-ICRAF and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.
8. Ensure the program quality standards are adhered to per monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) policies and procedures.
9. Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of forestry and biodiversity.
10. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the organization and project knowledge management agenda.
11. Ensure compliance with the EU, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to the EU program coordination unit.
12. Ensure CIFOR-ICRAF and partner compliance with ethical standards, procedures and policies enshrined in EU and project policies and procedures .
13. Oversee and coordinate the quality and timely submission of narrative progress and financial reports.
14. Publish program results and deliver presentations, and oversee the development of communications strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements.
15. Manage and mitigate risks through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming.

Requirements

• Doctorate or master’s degree in management, Project Management and or Business Management; with strong expertise in research for development in forestry / Natural Resources Management and climate change.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in program management including multi-country grants, preferably at least 2-3 years working in Forestry and biodiversity.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management, preferably with an international organisation.
• Experience in leading project/programme management in forestry and biodiversity.
• Experience of working with development organisations or other international agencies
• Experience of managing and/or collaborating with large multi-disciplinary teams, private and public sector partners, government departments and state governments
• Experience in supervising staff and in mentoring young scientists and technical staff.
• Fluency in both English and French.

Personal attributes and competencies:

• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, stakeholder management, including project design, and sub-grant management, budget management, management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects
• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgements and decisions.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships; consortium management experience preferred.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams; coaching/mentorship skills
• Established leader in sector as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to creating a collaborative learning environment.
• Strong communications, presentations and facilitation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals and reports.
• Experience using MS Office packages, Web Conferencing applications and information management systems.
• Social science research and monitoring and evaluation experience, a distinct advantage.
• Shares knowledge and experience; good communicator and facilitator.
• Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Good communication skills in English and French (both written and spoken) are absolutely necessary; knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
• Well organized and able to meet the tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel frequently to support partners.
• Good analytical and management skills.
• Good international experience and understanding of local context.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in their local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
• The duty station will be in Dakar, Senegal CIFOR-ICRAF Offices.