Localization Labs Project Manager at Adeso

Organization: NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) (Hosted by Adeso – African Development Solutions)

Position: Localization Labs Project Manager

Reporting To: Director of Policy

Working With: NEAR Secretariat, NEAR Members, Donors and Partners

Duty Station: Remote

Duration: 36 months

Starting Date: As soon as possible

ABOUT NEAR

NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a movement of local organizations with a bold ambition – to reshape the top-down humanitarian and development system to one that is locally driven and owned, and is built around equitable, dignified and accountable partnerships. NEAR is a membership based organization with members coming from four regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

ABOUT ADESO

NEAR is currently hosted by Adeso, an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. Adeso and NEAR both aspire to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: Influencing policy change and enacting systemic change through innovative solutions led by local and national actors.

POSITION PURPOSE

The purpose of the Labs Project Manager (PM) would be to oversee and coordinate the four streams of activity outlined in the project summary, ensuring that they are implemented effectively and efficiently. This would involve working closely with project governance, national civil society conveners, NEAR members and partners, donors, and other key stakeholders.

With the support of the Labs Project Learning Coordinator, the PM would also be responsible for ensuring that learning is documented throughout the project, resulting in a catalogue of localisation solutions, and that peer-to-peer exchange strengthens knowledge between Global South civil society leaders.

The PM would need to manage the project budget, timelines, and any potential risks or challenges that may arise throughout the project’s lifespan.

This role is funded under a three-year project that supports civil society mobilisation and advocacy on localisation in 13 contexts across the Global South. The PM will be expected to make linkages between the Labs project and other workstreams of NEAR, with the support of relevant members of the network and Secretariat.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Developing and managing project plans: The PM will be responsible for developing a detailed project plan for each workstream, including timelines, budget, deliverables, and milestones. They will also need to monitor progress against the plan and make necessary adjustments.
2. Coordinating with stakeholders: The PM will need to work closely with all stakeholders, including Labs governance, NEAR partners, national networks, and NGOs, to ensure that they are aware of the project plan and their role in it. They will also need to facilitate communication between stakeholders and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.
3. Managing the project budget: The PM will be responsible for managing the project budget, including tracking expenses, identifying cost savings, and making budgetary adjustments as needed.
4. Identifying and managing project risks: The PM will need to identify and manage project risks, including any potential delays or issues that could impact the successful delivery of the project.
5. Reporting on project progress: The PM will be responsible for reporting on project progress to NEAR leadership and other stakeholders. This will include regular progress reports, status updates, and presentations.
6. Ensuring quality control: The PM will need to ensure that all deliverables meet the required quality standards and are delivered on time.
7. Managing project resources: The PM will be responsible for managing project resources, including staff, equipment, and materials. They will need to ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY. This position includes supervisory responsibilities of the Learning Coordinator, with matrix management of the Policy Analyst.

OTHER DUTIES. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Given the scope and complexity of the project described, NEAR is looking for highly organized and detail-oriented candidates with the following skills:

• Project Management Experience: at least 5 years of experience managing complex projects, including experience managing multi-stakeholder projects with diverse partners. They should have a proven track record of successfully managing projects from planning to implementation to monitoring and evaluation.
• Leadership: have strong leadership skills and be able to lead a team of professionals from different disciplines and cultures. They should be able to inspire and motivate team members to work towards project goals, while also providing guidance and support when needed.
• Communication: be an excellent communicator, with strong verbal and written skills in English. They should be able to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local civil society actors, donors, and other enablers. They should also be able to write clear and concise reports and project updates for a variety of audiences.
• Strategic thinking: be able to think strategically and develop creative solutions to complex challenges. They should be able to identify opportunities to enhance project impact and sustainability and make strategic decisions to ensure project success.
• Technical Expertise: While the PM may not need to have in-depth technical knowledge in every area of the project, they should have a good understanding of localisation, civil society strengthening, and related issues. This will help them to effectively manage and coordinate the project and engage with project stakeholders as needed.
• Cross-cultural Competence: The project manager should be culturally sensitive and able to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. They should be able to navigate cross-cultural differences and build relationships with stakeholders from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: The project manager should be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and project needs. They should be able to pivot quickly and make adjustments to project plans as needed to ensure project success.
• Desirable: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Arabic, Spanish, or French.

How to apply

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications should be sent to jobs@near.ngo by 10 April 2023 with “Localization Labs Project Manager” on the subject line. The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive.

Each application package should include the following:

• Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information (limited to one page)
• CV
• Three Professional References, with complete contact information

All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso / NEAR is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Related NGO Jobs in Africa

• Policy Analyst at Adeso
• Research and Learning Coordinator at Adeso
• National Project Officer at European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia
• Regional Education Coordinator (REC) – Southern Africa Region at Jesuit Refugee Service
• Head of Programming I, Juba South Sudan at Catholic Relief Services