Project Manager

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), on behalf of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Zambia invites applications from suitable dynamic and self-motivated Zambian nationals to fill up the following position in the EU-SIFAZ project:

Project Manager (Nationally Recruited Staff) – Ref No: SARAH/PM/03/19

Serve as Project Manager for the EU-SIFAZ project to be based in Zambia

Major duties and responsibilities

Manage budgets

• Review monthly expenditures.
• Review Zambia office liquidation reports and funds requests monthly.
• In Collaboration with the CIMMYT-SARO office manager, review and allocate LRS staff salaries monthly.
• Support asset procurements and asset inventories as required

Manage contracts

• Manage subgrants as per donor specifications
• Draft and facilitate sub agreements with partners
• Ensure timely submission of financial and technical reports from partners/subgrantees
• Review financial reports from partners/subgrantees
• Manage contracts and consultancies

Lead or support project Communications teams as appropriate

• Generate and/or ensure the production of content for project’s communications platforms, potentially including web sites, newsletters, brochures, success stories, research notes, reports and social media posts.
• Tailor written products to diverse audiences, including donors, government partners and farmers
• Supervise and provide guidance to the project’s communications specialist(s)
• Review & approve communications-related expenditures and investments

Performance monitoring, M&E and donor reporting

• Achieve project deliverables as outlined in Annual Workplans
• Support the project’s M&E staff to update the annual results tracker / results framework for donor
• Coordinate the compilation of content and then edit and submit project’s annual and semi-annual reports for donor
• Follow up project progress and archiving in CIMMYT’s project management programs (Teamwork and Marlo)

CIMMYT Coordination

• Support and coordinate the development of annual project implementation plans.
• Support project’s HR activities including recruitment, staff on-boarding, and annual performance evaluations following CIMMYT procedures and liaising with CIMMYT headquarters and HR representatives in regional offices.
• Organize the project’s leadership committee meetings, technical meetings and planning meetings as required.
• Serve as a liaison for all implementing partners.
• Oversee project staff as needed.

Project representation

• Represent the PI in donor meetings in Zambia where necessary and requested on short notice
• Perform all other related duties that may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance or Public Administration or BBA in Project Management or similar field.
• Minimum 5 years progressive experience in a corporate & non-profit environment.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in project management and budget management.
• Proficiency in English, with excellent written / oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite and advanced internet skills.
• High level of cultural sensitivity to understand the needs of all staff and partners. High level of responsibility and discretion and ability work under pressure. Effective team leadership.
• Desirable: PMD Pro Certification

Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia

General information: The contracts will be for an initial period of three years. Renewal is dependent on performance and availability of funds.

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