Position Title: Somalia Project Manager
Reference No.: 240401
Position Location: Nairobi
Position LOE: Part time (consultancy) or Full time (depending on the project)
Timeframe: TBD (depending on project)
Supervisor: Country Director
Overview: This scope of work (SoW) outlines the Somalia Project Manager position with the Center for Operational Analysis and Research (COAR). The Somalia Project Manager will be expected to work under the leadership of either a Senior Program Manager and/or the Country Director to oversee and manage the overall implementation and resources required for the completion of projects. The Somalia Project Manager will facilitate or lead communication with clients, coordinate activities with other departments across the organization (for example, the finance department on budget management), ensure compliance with internal COAR policies, and perform any other technical or administrative functions as required.
About COAR: COAR is an independent social enterprise that directly supports practitioners, policymakers, and donors by facilitating humanitarian and development interventions in complex, fragile, and high-risk environments.
Objectives:
- To lead the set-up, implementation, and close-out of projects in a professional and cost-efficient manner;
- To allocate resources within and across projects;
- To build and maintain strong relationships between COAR and its clients in a way that ensures the client’s satisfaction and guarantees business continuity;
- Meet and exceed organizational performance and delivery goals;
- To support COAR in all other potential project streams as needed.
Activities
Project Management:
- Develop work-plans in accordance with proposals/contracts/terms of reference and project-logframes, liaise with clients, and work with technical and support teams to plan and successfully deliver projects;
- Maintain and regularly update detailed work plans based on client and team feedback;
- Oversee technical workstreams, coordinate with team members where necessary, and ensure that deliverables are on-time and excellent;
- Allocate human resources based on work and resource plans (including recruitment of new personnel), and ensure clear communication with Finance/Accounting Department;
- Deliver operating budget to Finance/Accounting Department; track expenditure through monthly BvAs to ensure spending remains within approved budget;
- File all project-related documentation in accordance with COAR processes and standards;
- Ensure project team members submit monthly timesheets and invoices correctly and before within deadline;
- Support the finance team with the preparation of invoices to clients in compliance with contract clauses;
- Ensure projects are compliant with client procedures, contractual arrangements and general terms and conditions (including finances, procurement, recruitment etc.);
Client Management
- Under the leadership of either a Senior Program Manager and/or Country Director, act as a focal point for client engagement, ensuring communication is fast, clear and precise;
- Proactively communicate with clients and incorporate feedback into deliverables;
- Ensure the client is constantly up to date on workstreams and any modifications.
Organizational
- In coordination with the Senior Program Manager and/or Country Director, engage with external stakeholders and peers to increase the visibility of COAR profile in the East Africa region
- Support the Senior Program Manager and/or Country Director in business development by contributing to proposals/bids and engaging with potential clients
- Participate and contribute in internal and external organizational meetings.
Contextual
- Maintain a working knowledge of research methodologies and best practice as these pertain to COAR’s projects;
- Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the political, economic, social, humanitarian, military and conflict-related, infrastructure-related, and geopolitical dynamics in relevant countries;
- Develop and maintain a working knowledge of client-needs, the response architecture, relevant UN agencies, funds and programmes, as well as the programmes, interventions, and activities of relevant international NGOs, civil society organizations, etc.;
Deliverables
Somalia Project Manager will:
- Management project cycles, ensuring projects are successfully implemented;
- Manage financial and administrative aspects of all projects;
- Collaborate with COAR team members to ensure the delivery of excellent work;
- Support on other deliverables and projects as needed;
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate for will have:
- A BA degree in business management, political science, international affairs, public administration, public policy, international development, or a related field;
- Minimum of five years of work experience in the management and implementation of client-funded projects, preferably within the field of research and analysis;
- Extensive experience in Project Management in the East Africa region for an INGO, UN agency, or development consultancy;
- Excellent understanding of contextual dynamics in the East Africa region
- Strong understanding of donor government requirements, regulations, and rules, particularly as related to compliance and due diligence;
- Experience managing budgets;
- Demonstrated understanding of donor-funded humanitarian, early recovery, peacebuilding, stabilization, and/or development architecture;
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and managerial skills;
- Fluency in written and oral English required; fluency in Somali is beneficial
- Excellent command of Microsoft Office applications and Google Applications;
- Demonstrated ability and/or willingness to work under tight deadlines, and liaise with donor representatives and partner organization colleagues under pressure and during off-work hours;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently within a remote-based team;
- Strong presentation, reporting, and communication skills;
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
- High level of professionalism;
- Commitment to discretion and confidentiality;
- Strict adherence to COAR’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies at all times.
How to apply
Applicants should submit their CV and Cover Letter to hr@coar-global.org quoting the name of the position and Reference Number in the subject line of the email.
Due to a high volume of received applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.
All applications will be treated in strict confidentiality.