Consortium Manager at Veterinaires Sans Frontieres

Duty Station: The post will be based 80 % in the VSF-Suisse Isiolo office and 20 % in the Nairobi Country office, with extensive travel to project areas in Isiolo County.

Reporting to: Country Director

Expected Start Date: 01 February 2020

Duration: Four (4) years but will be subject to annual contracts based on acceptable performance

Overall Responsibilities:

The position holder will lead the European Commission co-funded project “Building Drought Resilience in Isiolo County through Sustainable Livelihoods”, currently under negotiation. The project will be implemented in partnership with, Comitato Collaborazione Medica (CCM), WeWorld Onlus, E4IMPACT, and SOMIRENEC. S/he will spearhead strategic management, planning and quality control of the action’s implementation & donor reports, while providing leadership to the project implementation team. The Consortium Manager refers to and works in close collaboration with the Country Directors of each of the implementing agencies but will report directly to the VSF-Suisse Kenya/Somalia Programme Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and management for the design and implementation of project activities, in close coordination with consortium partner teams
• Responsible for managing the timely and quality completion of all programme technical, administrative, financial deliverables and reports in accordance with EC guidelines and VSF-Suisse rules
• Ensure a shared project vision amongst staff and across all implementing agencies
• Responsible for delivery, and progress against agreed targets of the project across all implementing partners
• Oversee the establishment of effective project reporting, monitoring evaluation and learning, financial management, and personnel and procurement mechanisms
• Plan and lead consortium Project Steering Committee meetings and Technical Working Group meetings.
• Manage the Project Management Unit staff
• Networking & Coordination
• Serve as the principal liaison with and build effective working relationships with the EC, regional bodies such as IGAD, FAO, State and County government counterparts, local partners, communities and other relevant stakeholders
• Develop partnerships in the humanitarian and development community and coordinate with authorities at Country and County/District Government levels.
• Promote sustainability of the action’s activities with effective networking, linkages to other programmes and initiatives

Qualifications, Experience & Skills required

• Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to manage a large workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Relevant University degree with a Masters in International Development, Social Sciences, Economics, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary medicine or other relevant field.
• At least 10 years of professional relevant experience ( agriculture, food security, nutrition, WASH, resilience in, but not restricted to, a pastoral/agro-pastoral setting)
• Experience in design and management of complex programmes, identifying, setting up and managing consortia
• Demonstrate strong team management, planning and organizational skills
• Working experience in financial management of donor projects.
• Proven track record in donor relationships, specifically European Commission
• Communication Skills: Excellent writing and verbal skills in English.
• A working knowledge of Swahili would also be advantageous
• Person of integrity –honesty and good moral standing