Manager, Global Program Operations at Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

Position Summary

Reporting to the GPO Senior Manager, and working closely with Country Program Managers, the Manager, GPO is the central point at MEDA Canada/US for project planning and reporting enabling the country teams to effectively implement their projects.  Provide best practices, processes, and tools to support effective project management by country staff.  The Manager will be process-oriented and focused on compliance assurance at the project level. The PM may manage a portfolio of 2-3 projects, maintain HQ level donor relationships.  As an experienced member of the Global Programs Operations team, this role is vital to the sound implementation and operationalization of MEDA’s project delivery processes and tools.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project / Programs Systems and Process Support (80%)

• Lead in operationalizing MEDA’s project management systems and processes
• Promote adoption of standard tools and processes across projects and regions
• On-site and remote training and learning sessions on best practices, systems, processes and compliance
• Delivering project management training plans for new projects and refresher plans for existing projects as required
• Provide direct project management and coordination support to projects as requested
• Collaboration with CPM on internal and external project reporting
• Represent portfolio projects in Canada/US and manage HQ donor relationship management at project desk level
• Support programs and projects on site during start up and closure phases, and during peak demand periods during the project life-cycle as required by country teams

Project Risk Assurance and Compliance (20%)

• Collaboration with country teams to ensure that contractual and donor requirements are met – ensure project is executed according to contract terms, conditions and timelines, work with country teams to resolve and document deviations, escalate as required
• Quality control review on project sub-agreements and contracts coordinating with MEDA Legal, Finance and/or HC as required
• Compliance assurance at the project level with both the Donor contract and MEDA policies & procedures
• Project and operational risk reviews, based on established templates and processes (such as 11 point list)
• Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

• Education: University degree, ideally Masters or post-degree diploma, in Business Administration or a related field. Formal Project Management certification such as PMP is a strong asset.
• Experience:  Proven track record of at least 2 years of business experience or industry specific consulting/supporting experience for projects with budgets of up to and including $1 million.
• Language: English mandatory, French and Spanish may be a requirement depending on projects supported
• Technical: Project support experience (2 years) in market systems and/or agriculture across international regions, experience with donors (such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, MasterCard Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Knowledge and aptitude for project management process and tools