Project Manager 91 views0 applications

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Function:

The Project Manager will play a key role in implementing the Development Fund of Norway-supported Scaling Up Climate Adapted Agriculture Project in Malawi and Mozambique Programme. He /she will facilitate an increased climate resilience and well-being of rural communities through improving food security and nutrition for rural households; increasing economic empowerment for rural households, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups; improving government services and legal frameworks in line with rural communities’ needs, rights, and priorities; and facilitating increased influence and recognition of rural women and marginalized groups within their households, grassroots organizations and communities.

The Project Manager will lead the efficient project delivery at the field level. The position will also ensure that the partners and stakeholders involved in the project are using recommended implementation approaches and methodologies. This position will facilitate participatory planning, development, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of smallholder farmer-owned agribusinesses and grassroots organizations in close collaboration and coordination with project staff and relevant partners and stakeholders.

Essential Character Traits:

Team player, creative, self-driven, high integrity, accountable and good communicator

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

A. Project Effectiveness (50%)

• Promote Climate Adapted Agriculture to increase food security, nutrition, and income for smallholder farmers.
• Facilitate implementation of climate change adaptation interventions including but not limited to tree planting/regeneration, energy-efficient technologies, small-scale irrigation, livestock production, and agroforestry.
• Strengthen local organizations and institutions with a special focus on women and youth
• Market access through linkages and income generation through agribusinesses development, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy
• Support communities in policy advocacy that strengthens sustainable food systems, food security, and environmental management.
• Ensure the actualization of the donor and Heifer models and approaches in the project.
• Support provided to smallholder farmers on Climate Adapted Agriculture to increase food security, nutrition, and income.
• Support provided to rural communities to develop and implement Climate Adapted Village plans to manage and restore land and water resources.
• Women, youth, and marginalized groups identify income-generating opportunities and develop businesses.
• Inclusive rural communities and grassroots organizations were promoted.
• Communities and grassroots organizations advocate for good government services and legal frameworks.

B. Project planning, monitoring, and reporting (30%)

• Supervise project participants, partner organizations, and local authorities in the implementation of field project activities.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure integrated results-based project management
• Execution of m plans and progress report.
• Assist MEL team in collecting project data for the project progress tracking, reporting, project database, and case study development
• Ensure systematic documentation of successes and lessons learned for internal programmatic use and external sharing
• Track project implementation risks and inform the Project Manager to design mitigation measures.
• Project activities are delivered on time and within budget and scope.
• Good quality monthly, quarterly, semester and annual reports developed and submitted.
• Project implementation effectiveness and efficiency achieved, and sustainability assured
• Conduct Regular project performance monitoring visits  among project participants
• Risks and issues are timely identified and reported for corrective action.

C. Coordination and Stakeholder’s management (15 %)

• Represent the organization and the project at the district and community levels.
• Identify partners in the field and nurture relationships with local authorities
• Organize periodic meetings with district-level stakeholders on project status.
• Participate in all routine planned partner and stakeholder meetings and events.
• Relationships with project partners at the district level are regularly nurtured.

D. May perform other job-related duties as assigned/requested (5%)

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, or a relevant field,
2. Minimum five (5) years working in agriculture development, climate change, and or environmental management
3. Experience in project management, budgeting, and implementation.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Technical expertise in regenerative, climate-smart agriculture and or natural resources management in agriculture.
2. Willingness and openness to working in the agriculture sector in rural areas.
3. Ability to influence and engage effectively with the private sector, local authorities, and governmental partners.
4. Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills, able to work well under pressure both proactively and prioritize a challenging workload.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

1. A good understanding of the agriculture sector and the enabling and commercial drivers that may be key to success.
2. A good understanding and appreciation of the gender, youth, and technology themes in agriculture
3. Experience working with smallholder farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, and grassroots organizations in capacity building, agribusiness finance, and marketing of agri-produce.
4. Resources management – organizing, training, and managing farmer groups.
5. Communications and reporting, including ensuring appropriate information is collected, communicated, managed, and archived effectively.
6. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
7. Excellent skills with Microsoft Office.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

1. Preparing and presenting project reports and presentations in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
2. Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully, and diplomatically with culturally diverse groups of people.
4. Constant face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communication with colleagues both within and outside of Malawi.
5. May require constant sitting, working at a computer, focusing for extended periods, and performing office work in the field and/or in remote conditions.
6. Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting strict deadlines.
7. Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality
8. Willingness to work with a flexible schedule.
9. Willingness to travel both locally and internationally.