Project Manager – AMABIO Programme

SUMMARY:

Expertise France is recruiting a Project Manager based in Brazil for a 4-year assignment, as part of the “Amabio” project.

The Project Manager will be responsible for the operational management and coordination of all activities, communication and accountability of the project to various stakeholders, in close collaboration with the Project Coordinator based at Expertise France (EF) headquarters in Paris.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project, financed by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), aims to support the development of bioeconomy and innovative sustainable finance practices in Amazonian Countries, initially in Brazil, but also in Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru in a second phase.

By supporting lines of credit granted by AFD to public banks in Brazil and other countries in the region, the project will leverage this financing through a technical cooperation program designed to promote sustainable economic alternatives for inhabitants of the Amazon.

The program has three components:

• Component 1: Setting up an innovation, investment and technology-sharing hub for bioeconomy in the Amazon
• Component 2: Supporting public bank partners in financing bioeconomy and the preservation of the Amazon’s natural heritage.
• Component 3: Development of innovative initiatives to reduce deforestation and restore natural heritage in vulnerable biomes

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION:

NB: These Terms of Reference (ToR) are published as part of Expertise France’s response to a request for Technical Assistance from AFD.

The mobilization of the project manager and the related tasks as described in these ToR will only be effective once Expertise France has been definitively mandated for the TA mission and the ToR have been validated by the stakeholders. The job description may therefore be subject to change.

Based in Brazil, and reporting to the Head of Expertise France’s Economic and Trade Policy (PEC) Unit at headquarters (Paris), the Project Manager will be responsible for the overall coordination as well as the operational and financial management of the activities entrusted to Expertise France. For the successful implementation of the “Amabio” project, he/she will be responsible for the following tasks:

1- General coordination:

• Ensure overall project coordination with the project’s Brazilian, Bolivian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Peruvian and French partners, the AFD agency in Brazil, and the complementary programs of other donors present in the Amazon;
• Organize and participate in steering committees, other project coordination bodies and any other meetings representing the project, and monitor the implementation of recommendations;
• Ensure the quality, internal and external coherence of the project, in particular with other programs in Brazil and the region.

2- Strategic and operational project management:

In close collaboration with the partners involved in the program, the Project Manager will be responsible for the planning and technical management of the activities entrusted to Expertise France, in compliance with the Technical Assistance ToR and COPIL guidelines:

• Define operational orientations and strategies, carry out technical and budgetary planning for the project in liaison with national partners, and monitor its implementation, as well as updating all useful project documents;
• Create a common vision within the program and support the appropriation of activities by project partners;
• Coordinate the various components of the project;
• Support local partners in implementing activities;
• Identify needs in terms of short-term expertise, prepare terms of reference for services and ensure the mobilization of experts;
• Supervise the experts and operators recruited and coordinate the successful completion of assignments;
• Co-animate, guide and monitor the work of local partners in implementing activities;
• Prepare COPIL meetings in coordination with local authorities and the donor.
• Manage a project team: mobilization/evaluation, workload management, activity planning, organization of team meetings, etc.
• Coordinate the evaluation and capitalization of the project as part of the Monitoring & Evaluation system;
• Ensure the smooth flow of information between team members, relevant stakeholders and AFD;

3- Administrative and financial management:

In coordination with the administrative/financial/logistics team, the Project Manager ensures the administrative and financial management of the project and compliance with procurement procedures:

• Coordinates administrative and financial follow-up for the mobilization of short-term expertise, technical assistance contracts, subsidies, framework contracts, public procurement, logistics, travel, audits, accounting, etc. ;
• Coordinates and participates in the management of various contracts in compliance with procurement procedures (services, goods, works, expertise, etc.): procurement plan, contribution to the preparation of contract-related documents, contract negotiations, contract quality control and monitoring of contractual commitments, financial monitoring, etc. ;
• Ensure project reporting to AFD: quality of deliverables, interim and final technical and financial reports;
• Ensure Expertise France’s internal reporting: follow-up of activities with experts, financial follow-up, budget forecasts and closings.

This job description is not exhaustive. Generally speaking, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that the project’s strategic, operational and contractual objectives are met, and for carrying out and/or supervising all activities required for the successful execution of the program.

4- Project team management:

• Recruits and manages the project team;
• Organizes team meetings;
• Ensures team training, cohesion and integration with partners;
• Supervises the project team, sets and evaluates their objectives;
• Coordinates work within the team, manages the team’s workload and supports it in carrying out its various functions;
• Ensures conditions are adapted to the context and working environment.

APPLICANT PROFILE:

The profile sought is that of an expert in project management (senior), with extensive knowledge of development banks, sustainable development and/or bioeconomy.

• At least 10 years’ experience in the management or supervision of international cooperation projects, sustainable and economic development, international technical assistance;
• 2 to 5 years’ experience in a development bank, or equivalent time in expert missions for financial institutions;
• Specific knowledge of the following subjects: bioeconomy, sustainable finance, innovation, biodiversity, preservation of ecosystems in the Amazon.
• Experience in supporting indigenous communities would be a strong asset;
• Knowledge of rural finance or of sustainable agricultural or livestock sectors would be a plus;
• Experience of projects financed by various donors is required, with thorough knowledge of donor reporting mechanisms;
• Significant experience in team management and supervision;
• Proven experience in conducting multi-stakeholder processes and consultations;
• Experience in contracts and procurement in Brazil would be an asset;
• Professional experience in Brazil

Qualifications and skills:

• Qualities/abilities : communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills; writing skills in Portuguese and Spanish
• Excellent command of Portuguese (written / spoken);
• Excellent command of Spanish (written / spoken);
• Team spirit and ability to unite stakeholders and team members around common objectives.
• Organization, autonomy and adaptability.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances.