Project Manager

ZOA Uganda is looking for a Project Manager, DRIVE Project to be based in Arua City -ZOA West Nile Office.

Your challenge The Project Manager, DRIVE Project in the West Nile Region of Uganda, with support from the Programme Manager West Nile, is responsible for day to day management of the RVO funded DRIVE project.

He/she will collaboratively and coordinates work with PALM Corps staff,, and other ZOA team members to successfully deliver the project results in quality and time.

The PM is responsible to ensure excellence in implementation of the project in terms of impact, reporting, and timeliness, networking and coordination, maintain good relationship with relevant stakeholders (including the private sector), adherence to ZOA policy and guidelines, ensure timely reporting and documentation and that spending is in line with the approved budget.

The PM will support and motivate 4 ZOA Project Officers to deliver quality implementation, adherence to Participator Integrated Plan (PIP) initiation and scale up.

The PM will also work closely with the project partner, building a collaborative and accountable working relationship.

Your main tasks and responsibilities Project planning and implementation: Lead in project planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of progress in line with RVO/ARFSA Project and ZOA requirements.

Oversee the Implementation of activities as described in projects proposal and plan Conduct regular meetings and direct day-to-day supervisions of the field staff and PIs to ensure the projects are on track towards meeting the work plan requirements, ensuring targets and deliverables are completed by established deadlines.

Facilitate the adaptation of existing PIP trainers’ manual to West Nile context and tailor PIP practices to respective agro-ecological needs and farmers needs across the two districts Oversee the startup of PIP creation and its scale up from generation to generation Ensure that there is a cross learning among PIP farmers within and across districts especially from sub counties that are advanced with PIP implementation In collaboration with the POs, support the design and set up experimental plots or IPPs (experiments/validation/comparative) with clear objectives, parameters for observation and protocols for analysis.

Facilitate capacity building for POs, PIs and relevant district and sub county staff in PIP methodology operationalization.

Organise joint planning and monitoring with local partner, PALM Corps and when required, local government stakeholders Reporting and Knowledge Management, MEAL Organize monitoring and data recording systems of activities in the project in coordination with MEAL colleagues, and ensure timely data collection and entry Write and submit comprehensive and quality reports, specific activity reports and any other reports when necessary in a timely manner Organize projects monthly, quarterly and annual reviews meetings to track progress towards projects objectives, adherence to PIP approach quality standard and processes Monitor the context and carry out adjustments to project plans and management on an on-going basis in light of changing context, resources, and opportunities.

Take lead in documentation and sharing of Impact, success stories and best practices to promote learning.

Representation and coordination Actively participate in all relevant technical working group meetings conducted at district and settlement level, and ensure good information sharing with the wider ZOA team Develop and maintain strong relationships within and outside the DRIVE project including with the relevant local government offices, the private sector and research/knowledge institutions Maintain effective coordination and collaboration with PALM Corps and Wageningen Environmental Research Team Management and Human Resources Ensure the project teams have clear objectives, with weekly and monthly targets, to ensure quality implementation of project outputs and outcomes, with regular face to face meetings (weekly or monthly) Contribute to the recruitment of well-qualified project staff, reviewing the job descriptions, participating in job interviews; Ensure that project staff are conversant with their job description, ZOA’s internal regulations, standards, policies and donor regulations; Supervises and carries out periodical evaluation of the performance of the staff assigned to the project(s) against established performance objectives in a timely manner Ensures capacity building on key projects concepts and approaches with support from PQ department and/or other ZOA and partner staff; recommends strategic training opportunities for the team; Ensures effective leave management within the project team, in liaison with the field Finance and Administration Associate Manager; Finance and procurement Uses ZOA’s ERP system to track and maintain oversight of projects expenditure (including partner finances), rregularly monitor projects expenditures (using the BVA) to ensure spending is made in line with the budget approved with the donor Ensure timely initiation of procurement requests and follow up on progress Provide appropriate code for expenses Ensure full utilization of the projects approved budget, and timely adjustments and communication with the finance team to ensure good budget management.

Accountability Sensitize all stakeholders (participants, service providers, partners, government and other) on feedback and complaint mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda; Upon receipt of a complaint or feedback, ensure that it is correctly documented following correct reporting procedures; Work closely with MEAL team to ensure regular analysis of feedback and complaints registered to inform the program of changes in operational trends and context to help in improving the intervention and adaptive management.

Knowledge & Experience: Degree in agricultural sciences, development studies, or other relevant field; Master degree will be an added advantage; At least 5 years successful project cycle management experience in a similar position; - Experience managing large programmes for INGOs is an added advantage; Experience managing large projects funded by institutional donors is an added advantage; Having led a project in partnership with a local NGO is an added advantage; Excellent spoken and written command of English; Language skills in relevant local languages of the duty station is an added advantage.

Skills: Participative leadership with clear command of overall operations; Sensitive towards HRM and organizational issues;. Good communication, writing and facilitation skills; Innovative, creative and enthusiastic; Good computer skills: Ms Excel and Ms Word; Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision; Able to ride a motorbike in field conditions, holding a valid driving license (this will be checked with a practical test during interview). Attitude: High level of personal integrity Flexibility and adaptability; Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity; Able to work under pressures and meet deadlines; Able to work in a sometimes fluid and insecure environment; Please send your resume/CV