Project Manager at Gap Recruitment Services Limited

Job Purpose:

The Project Manager is responsible for the successful implementation of the WIT programme by ensuring project outcomes are achieved and exceeded as per Self Help Africas contractual agreement with USAID through Trade Mark Africa, and to the quality standards of Self-Help Africa and the wider Gorta Group. Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Project Manager will provide strategic and technical leadership in the implementation of the project. S/he will be a Market Systems & Value Chain expert, with a strong understanding and practical hands-on experience in Access to Finance, Route to Market, SMEs capability building, and co-designing. S/he will be responsible for program implementation in Kenya, donor reporting, and field-level management while ensuring the highest standards in compliance with obligations and results according to signed agreements. S/he will be responsible for the quality and performance of work of all WIT Project staff, and sub-contracted service providers. S/he will focus on management, communication, team building, strategy, and drive toward sustainability that achieves scale, permanence, and impact through long-term partnerships.

NOTE: The completion of recruitment for this position and the start date is subject to successful contracting by the donor.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Management

• The Project manager is responsible for the overall delivery of the project on behalf of Self-Help Africa.
• Leads management of all aspects of the project cycle: planning, implementation, quality, reporting, accountability, monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop annual, quarterly and monthly plans and budgets for the project and monitor allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery.
• Ensure all donor reporting requirements are adhered to including financial reporting in collaboration with the project accountant.
• Lead co-ordination and communication across the various stakeholders including Project implementation teams, government agencies and private sector to ensure coherent and consistent delivery of the project objectives.
• Lead all SMEs due diligence, capacity assessments, trainings, financial inclusions and market linkages to ensure additionality to the project.
• Co-ordinate and provide technical input for the implementation of the project including in the preparation of strategies, training materials, guides and manuals and ensure effective integration of core technical areas of Gender, climate change and Enterprise Development.
• Work with the communications team to develop a project communication and visibility plan and facilitate its implementation.
• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration mechanisms are in place between Self Help Africa and all companies.

Operational and Financial Management

• Manage and periodically review the projects budget in close collaboration with the Head of Programmes and project accountant.
• Ensure compliance by SHA with contract requirements in planning, financial management, procurement, branding, monitoring and reporting, and facilitate further training where necessary.
• Act as the focal point with Self Help Africa country office and HQ to ensure all programming, financial and administrative matters related to the project comply with donor and SHA policies and procedures, and are transparently, expediently and effectively managed in line with established processes, rules and regulations
• Monitor external context and carry out adjustments to project plans where necessary,
• In liaison with Head of Programmes ensure all SHA safety and security guidelines are followed and that all safety or security incidents (fires, accidents, theft, etc.) within the project are recorded and reported,
• Ensure efficient use and management of project resources including on transport.

Monitoring, Reporting and Results Communication

• Facilitate monitoring and documentation of learning by ensuring that effective mechanisms are in place to monitor activities and outputs and assessments for project quality and impact and ensure project implementation is on time, target and budget,
• Ensure monitoring plan is in place and undertake project monitoring visits from time to time,
• Compile periodic project reports as required by the donor and SHA.
• Analyze program data, capture, and share lessons learned and best practices to facilitate improvement in decisions.
• Check partner technical and financial reports and ensure that they are compliant with set policies and procedures.
• Develop and adopt standardized approaches, practices, tools, and measurements in partnership and capacity strengthening. Monitor external context and carry out adjustments to project plans where necessary,
• In liaison with Head of Programmes ensure all SHA safety and security guidelines are followed and that all safety or security incidents (fires, accidents, theft, etc.) within the project are recorded and reported,
• Ensure efficient use and management of project resources including on transport.
• Set clear direction and expectations for the project and enable project team to interpret competing priorities (Annual project key performance indicators).
• Manage project staff and provide periodic performance reviews and objective setting.
• Work closely with project partners including SMEs, producers, aggregators and traders to manage performance issues effectively to avoid adverse impact on the project, team morale and performance.
• In liaison with Head of Programmes, promote a positive team culture that respects diversity and deals with barriers to inclusion.

Representation:

• In coordination with the Head of Programmes represent SHA at national, regional and international levels, to donors, local and national government authorities, other NGOs, and any other parties under this project,
• In coordination with the Head of Programmes, lead on national and regional policy engagements,
• Ensure that relationships and formal agreements with government and partners are maintained and updated as appropriate.
• Ensure proper project documentation and sharing with donor, partners and stakeholders.
• Any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

• The Country Director
• Head of Finance
• SHA HO technical Support team
• Head of Programmes
• Finance and Administration Team
• Trade & Enterprise Advisor
• Agriculture & Natural Resource Management Advisor
• Gender and Nutrition Advisor
• Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor

External:

• Project SMEs
• County and National Governments (Trade and Agriculture)
• Other Stakeholders including Semi-State Agencies (KEBS, Global GAP, research institutions, financial institutions, Consultants, and donors

Key Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agribusiness Management, or related field required.
• Masters degree in project management, Agribusiness, Enterprise Development or related field will be an added advantage.
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages.
• Strong M & E skills.

Knowledge, and Experience Required:

• At least 4 years experience in the implementation of private sector development approaches and development programs design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning.
• Over 2 years managing a USAID funded project is a MUST, especially targeting private sector development and/or trade facilitation.
• Experience in providing advisory and technical expertise in trade facilitation and project management at the local, regional and international level, particularly across the EAC and AfCTA.
• Strong understanding of the SMEs financing landscape in Kenya, and the integration of the smallholder farmers in the different financial models.
• Knowledge and experience in multiple sectors such as agricultural systems and livelihoods; market systems development; commercial proposal writing; Enterprise development; Business Development Services (BDS) approaches and value addition.
• Demonstrated understanding of the private sector development framework and approaches in Kenyan/East Africa Community Context.
• Strong project management skills and understanding of project cycle management approaches and tools.
• Experience in engaging and networking with the development partners and multi stakeholders including the government departments and agencies.