Project Officer for the “Green Transition” project in Costa Rica

I. CONTEXT AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

Costa Rica is a strategic partner for the European Union in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in the framework of the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy and to attract new European investments to Central America. As a global leader in decarbonisation, conservation and biodiversity, Costa Rica is an unconditional ally of the European Green Pact and EU climate policies.

In this context, the European Union wishes to support Costa Rica’s efforts on green transition in line with the European Green Pact, to catalyse Costa Rica’s progress towards sustainable production and a circular bioeconomy.

The Green Transition Project

The Green Transition project, funded by the European Union (NDICI-Global Europe) seeks to contribute to the transition of Costa Rica’s agricultural export sectors towards low carbon production models that guarantee the sustainable use of natural resources and the preservation of biodiversity.

The specific objective of the project is focused on the coffee and sugar cane sectors, so that both promote profitable agricultural models with a positive environmental impact, oriented to the European market and replicable to other export sectors.

Expertise France is hiring a Project Manager/Head based in San Jose, Costa to implement its “Green Transition” project.

Expertise France

Public agency, Expertise France is the interministerial actor of international technical cooperation, subsidiary of the group Agence Française de Développement (AFD group). The second largest agency in Europe, it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. It works in key development areas such as governance, health, education and the environment and contributes with its partners to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

II.JOB DESCRIPTION

Based in San Jose, and under the responsibility of the Head of the agricultural division of Expertise France at headquarters (Paris), and in close collaboration with Costa Rican partners, the Chief/Project Manager will be responsible for overall coordination, as well as the operational and financial management of the project. In particular, it shall:

1- General coordination

• Ensure overall coordination of the project with: DUE Costa Rica, Costa Rican partners and complementary programmes of other donors present in Costa Rica;
• Organize and participate in steering committees, other project coordinating bodies and all other meetings of project representatives, and monitor the implementation of recommendations;
• Ensure the quality and internal and external coherence of the project, particularly with other ongoing programmes in Costa Rica and the region.

2- Strategic and operational management of the project:

In close collaboration with the partners involved in the programme*, the Project Manager/Head will ensure the planning and technical management of activities entrusted to Expertise France in accordance with the action description document (*DoA validated with the donor), the conclusions of the Boot Report and the guidelines of the COPIL governance bodies.

• Define operational guidelines and strategies, carry out technical and budgetary planning of the project together with national partners and monitor its implementation;
• Facilitate the construction of a common vision within the program and support the ownership of activities by project partners;
• Support local partners in the implementation of activities;
• Identify needs in terms of short-term experience, prepare terms of reference for services and ensure the mobilization of experts;
• Ensure oversight of contracted experts and operators and coordinate the successful completion of missions;
• To co-direct, guide and monitor the work of local partners in the implementation of activities;
• Develop technical meetings/committees in coordination with local authorities and the landlord.
• Lead a team of 2 people (one administrative and financial manager and one/a project assistant)
• Coordinate the evaluation and capitalization of the project within the framework of the Monitoring-Evaluation system;
• Ensure the proper flow of information between team members, Costa Rican actors and DUE;

3- Administrative and financial management:

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

• Coordinates administrative and financial monitoring for the mobilization of short-term expertise, technical assistance contracts, grants, framework contracts, logistics, travel, audits, accounting, etc. ;
• Coordinates and participates in the management of various contracts in accordance with procurement procedures (services, goods, works, experience, etc.): procurement plan, contribution to the development of procurement-related documents, negotiations of contractual agreements, quality control of contracts and monitoring of contractual commitments, financial follow-up etc. ;
• Ensure project reporting to DUE : quality of project deliverables, intermediate and final technical and financial reports;
• Ensuring the internal information of Expertise France: monitoring activities with resident experts, financial monitoring, forecasts and budget closures.

4- Management of the project team

• Recruits and supervises the project team;
• Organizes team meetings;
• Ensures the training, cohesion and integration of the team with partners;
• Supervises the project team, establishes and evaluates its objectives;
• Ensure coordination of work within the team, manage the team’s workload plan and support it in the implementation of various functions;
• Ensure conditions adapted to the context and working environment.

This job description is not exhaustive, as the Chief/Project Manager is generally responsible for achieving the contractual objectives of the project and must perform all activities necessary for the proper implementation of the programme.

III. EXPERTISE AND PROFILE REQUESTED

Specific professional experience

The profile sought is that of an expert in project management (senior profile), specialized in support and development of agricultural sectors called sustainable, organic and certified.

• At least 5 years of experience in project management or supervision: international cooperation, agricultural and economic development, international technical assistance;
• Specific knowledge, particularly in the sectors: certification, labelling, processing, traceability, marketing of agricultural products;
• Knowledge on biodiversity and sustainable financing for bioentrepreneurs and small farmers will be valued;
• Experience is required in EU-funded projects.
• Very good knowledge of the reporting mechanisms (technical, administrative and financial) of EU type donors;
• Significant experience in team management and supervision; knowledge of the recruitment process, good skills to manage a team;
• Ability to communicate the project’s administrative and financial information to Expertise France headquarters in Paris.
• Proven experience in managing multi-stakeholder processes and consultations;
• Professional experience in Costa Rica and/or Latin America;

Qualifications and skills

• Excellent qualities/skills:

– communication;

– teamwork and relationships;

– synthesis and writing in English and Spanish;

• Excellent command of Spanish (written/oral);
• Excellent command of English (written/oral);
• Team spirit and ability to unite stakeholders and team members around common goals.
• Organization, autonomy and adaptability.
• Resilience and adaptability to unforeseen circumstances.