Title: Project Manager
Reports to: Program Director
Location: Khartoum
Travel: Occasional travel between project sites
NEF is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our programs are organised around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilisation and Peacebuilding.
Position Description:
The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking applicants for a Project Manager to be based in Khartoum to join a new multi-year program delivering holistic business, workforce, and livelihoods services in multiple states as well as the provision of integrated basic services, such as water, sanitation, and hygiene. Reporting to the Program Director, the Project Manager ensures the effective implementation of high-quality programs in states where program is being implemented through the effective leadership and management of program staff in the delivery on the outcome level results within our integrated programing. Oversees and manages NEF’s Area Coordinators in the states and Technical Specialists in the Khartoum office, ensuring compliance with NEF and donor policies and procedures. As Senior Project Manager, will oversee overall project management and development and maintain good relationships with peer NGOs, local and federal authorities, and communities in which we work. The Senior Project Manager is a member of the extended Country Management Team and will be attending relevant sectoral and administrative meetings on behalf of NEF.
Program Development and Implementation
- Participate in the design of projects/programs;
- Lead in project planning and development and execution of workplans, quarterly reports, and other documents as needed;
- Support Area Coordinators to implement program activities, staffing and procurement plans;
- Support Technical Specialists to implement program activities such as capacity building capacity, curriculum development, toolkits development and adaptation, and technical reviews and adjustments;
- Initiate and support the hiring process of approved staff in coordination with HR Manager/Officer and Program Director;
- Coordinate with program support staff for acquiring logistical and administrative support for NEF projects;
- Prepare regular and periodic progress reports on program activities and expenditure variances for internal management purposes and donors;
- Identify and address barriers to implementation, provide suitable solution and plans to resolve them. Coordinate plans and communicate progress and issues to senior leadership.
Program Quality
- Ensure high quality implementation of program implemented by NEF or partners in all states where program is being implemented;
- Ensure all aspects of activities adhere to NEF quality standards and policies;
- Oversee partners’ implementation quality and timeliness, review technical reports and requests;
- Coordinate and guide team members and partners to deliver services in a best possible quality and timing;
- Provide ongoing communications for any potential challenges and/or possible modifications to program activities;
- Work with MEL staff to ensure an appropriate monitoring and evaluation system is in place to track progress and deviations in project implementation and to capture learning and inform decision making processes;
- Contribute to the capacity building process of staff and local partners.
Budget Management
- Effectively monitor allocated operational and programmatic budgets and ensure all expenditure is authorized in accordance with NEF’s and donors’ procedures and approval of Program Director;
- Monitor monthly management accounts to ensure expenditure is accurately recorded and aligned with the budget;
- Report any suspected or actual financial irregularities;
- Monitor and manage partners’ budgets, financial reports, and deliverables.
Representation & Networking
- Collaborate with management to plan, establish, and maintain strong relationships with national and local stakeholders; donors, community associations, NNGOs, LNGOs and INGOs;
- Identify and respond to any required documentation, reporting, renewals, registration with local authorities in coordination with Khartoum office;
- Participate regularly in cluster and other relevant coordination meetings.
Support Systems & People Management
- Oversee all operational aspects in NEF implementations in states where program is being implemented;
- Provide oversight and support to technical and administrative program staff to ensure that activities are conducted on schedule and as described in the project workplan;
- Attend NEF staff meetings and convene and chair regular project staff meetings at appropriate intervals;
- Manage program and support staff to create an environment conducive for effective program implementation, effective teamwork, and morale;
- Ensure Procurement policy is properly implemented and adheres with NEF and Donor requirements and guidelines;
- Ensure that all activities related to logistics, property management, office inventory, and storage are in line with NEF policies and procedures;
- Ensure vehicle management policies are implemented at all locations, and no exceptions are made;
- Ensure all equipment and services are functioning at all times, and related policies and procedures are well implemented;
- Ensure administration activities are all maintained properly following all required policies and procedures;
- Oversee quality of training and capacity building engagement with teams including NEF’s code of conduct and ethics requirements;
- Provide needed orientation and ongoing coaching and mentorship to team members to build the capacity of teams and to ensure open and continuous communications;
- Oversee the administrative requirements of field teams including timesheets, vacation and sick leave requests, and performance evaluations.
Security:
- Monitor, analyze and report on the security status in the program areas, to the Safety and Security Officer or designee;
- Contribute to and ensure the implementation of security policies and standard operation procedures, and address security training needs;
- Coordinate with Security Officer or designee on security related issues;
- Maintain proper acceptable level of information sharing, and communication within the field offices and others as appropriate;
- Coordinate with Safety and Security Officer and the Country Director for effective response in case of incidents or imminent threats;
- Ensure compliance with NEF Minimum Safety Standards and their effective application in the local context;
- Advise on any needed adaptations of country office minimum standards;
- Represent NEF in safety & security related meetings and forums at the local level.
Key Qualifications:
Note: Research suggests that women may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to succeed within this position and thrive at NEF to apply for this role.
- Bachelor’s degree in project management, agriculture, business administration, or relevant/related field;
- At least five years of demonstrated experience in developing and managing teams;
- Five years of experience in project management, preferably in business development, workforce development, agribusiness development, or related field;
- Demonstrated ability to plan, track, and communicate project progress using a variety of tools including Gantt charts, flow charts, and software packages such as Microsoft Office;
- Experience working with international non-governmental organizations;
- In-depth knowledge of Sudan operating context;
- Proven capacity to develop and maintain effective working relationship within a distributed and dynamic team;
- Fluency in spoken/ written Arabic and English required.
Position Criteria
- Demonstrated ability to work with multi-cultural teams;
- Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions;
- Excellent dispute resolution, facilitation and team building skills;
- Effective communicator.
NEF will accept rolling applications until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on Monday, October 18, 2022. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
To apply:
Please apply by submitting the following documents:
- Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org**.**
The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Pre-employment Checks
Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:
- A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
- Receipt of satisfactory references.
- Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.