Project Manager

BACKGROUND

People in Need (PIN) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance in over 20 countries worldwide. Formed in 1992 in the Czech Republic, PIN has grown to be the biggest organisation of its kind in post-communist Europe, providing relief where it is needed, and empowering civil society at home and abroad.

PIN began its work in Iraq in 2003 focusing on reconstruction and renovation of schools and health centres. After a short break, PIN decided to re-establish its presence in the country in January 2015, mainly in response to deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country and massive displacement of people from conflict-affected areas. Since then, PIN has maintained a strong presence in Iraq, and has gradually extended its activities across the Governorates of Ninewa, Salah Al-din, Kirkuk and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Typical recipients of our aid are internally displaced persons, returnees, and people who survived the fighting near their homes and meet the pre-defined criteria of vulnerability.

Apart from humanitarian aid, PIN is currently working on long-term programmes supporting restoring livelihoods, education, and climate change.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Project Manager will contribute to successful implementation of a project in Ninewa Governorate and to the overall development and quality of PIN’s program portfolio on food security and rural livelihoods in the governorate. The staff will report to the Programs Director and lead the Project Field Coordinator, On-the-Job Training Expert and work in close cooperation with all support departments (MEAL, Finance, Log/Admin/HR, and Security).

The Project Manager will be responsible for the field implementation and management of a planned resilience project from UNDP in Ninewa. The objective of this project is to enhance food security and resilience for vulnerable residents of Ninewa by: supporting Vocational and On-the-Job trainees improve their skills through tailored capacity building

The activities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct a rapid Labour Market Assessment (LMA) and Training Needs Assessment to identify the most required skills and therefore the most appropriate courses to be offered based on the market needs
• Curriculum development and identifying training facilities where the training will be carried out suitable for the specialization required. The training facilities identified should have competent training staff, training workshops with advanced equipment, and licensed to issue certificates to trainees upon completion of 2 months of specialized vocational and on the job training, capacity needed and availability to execute the training during the proposed time
• Reach out to youth and women interested in the Vocational and On Job Training
• Capacity building to local authorities, etc. to ensure the continued sustainability of the project
• Support local SMEs through skills development, coaching and access to finance provided to support a number of existing businesses aiming at advancing their livelihoods

FUNCTIONAL AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Project Manager will be overall responsible for the implementation of project activities within their area of assigned competence. Under this contract, the Employee will:

Project Management  

• Oversees the implementation of the UNDP project ensuring that technical requirements and quality standards are considered and respected during project implementation

• Ensures timely organization of project kick-off and close-out meetings and that the team’s workplan is on track

• Plans the various stages of project implementation and sets direction by prioritizing and organizing activities including Rapid Value Chain and Vulnerability Assessments
• Ensures proper resourcing is maintained to achieve project objectives
• Anticipates and mitigate risks and implementation delays and provide ad-hoc support to projects implementation through trouble shooting and eliminating blocking points
• Leads in internal and external report writing to both PIN management and UNDP, respectively
• In collaboration with MEAL Department, conducts regular monitoring and evaluation of project outputs and outcomes, supports in assessment preparation
• Monitors cash burn rates and ensure a timely completion of projects using the appropriate tools; review the projects’ drawing to avoid under/over spending, ensuring accurate budget forecasting and expense planning

• Ensures compliance with donor and PIN’s policies, procedures and regulations throughout the entire project cycle; ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of project deliverables 
• Contributes to the development of projects procurement plans, to quality checks and procurement committees in line with PIN and donors’ rules and regulations
• Ensures that technical training components meet PIN and UNDP requirements
• Ensures the sustainability of the project by developing and implementing proper support framework for project participants

Project Development  

• Help to identify trends in conditions/standards and donor priorities in livelihoods and economic recovery
• Ensure livelihoods and economic recovery program products and lessons learned are maintained within PIN country program 
• When applicable identify new funding opportunities, contribute to the development of strategies and project proposal 

Capacity Building  

• Ensure project staff are adequately trained in tracking expenditures; work with project team to maximize cost efficiency 
• Work with the team and strengthen their capacity to implement and report on agreed management and monitoring procedures; Identify priority areas for capacity building and provide technical guidance, training and support 

• Line manage the project staff/team to ensure effective and efficient program implementation, partnership relationships and operational systems 
• Hold regular coordination meetings with key team members and regular meetings with SMT to discuss issues, ensure strong communication and learning from each other 
• Contribute to team capacity development and set up training plans to enhance team members technical capacity; Ensure regular performance appraisal and career management of project teams 
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics 

• Manage interpersonal conflicts 

Communication and Representation  

• Maintains positive working relations to ensure trust and confidence with other PIN departments 
• Actively participates in SMT and staff meetings  

• Lead the bi-weekly program review meetings  
• Liaise and maintain good relations with key stakeholders including local authorities
• When required, liaise with donors and represent PIN and its activities at international, national and local fora 
• Active representation within the relevant Area Based Coordination group and any other governmental/UN/INGO led meetings

• Explore potential partnerships with other, mainly national, NGOs and coordinate with other humanitarian actors active in this field 
• Maintain sound understanding of the context in Iraq and Kurdistan, and the needs and opportunities for humanitarian, recovery, development programming 
• Support, facilitate or undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project implementation 

Other:  

• Respects PIN security rules and maintains a culture of safety for the team 
• Understand and adhere to People in Need established policies and procedures for administration, finance, procurement, data management and beneficiary data protection, child protection, Code of Conduct (including Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment) and security management;  
• Reinforcing and ensuring compliance to policies and procedures and support of Child protection Focal Point; 
• Be flexible and willing to support the team as is needed. 

MAIN TASKS

The Employee is especially responsible for;

• Ensuring timely and effective delivery of tasks
• Correctness and completeness of given tasks
• Prompt providing of all relevant information to Line Manager
• Archiving of all entrusted and acquired documents in proper manner
• The Employee is obliged to follow PIN Code of Conduct, National Staff Policy and Internal working rules, safety and security, fire safety regulations and other obligatory procedures and regulations related to his work.

GENERAL EMPLOYEES OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Employer stipulates the right to assign the Employee any other kind of work derived from his specialization. In case of urgent work and such like the Employee may be asked to work overtime as well as during public and other holidays.
• Adhering to all PIN policies and procedures at all times including those stipulated in the Code of Conduct, National Staff Handbook, Security Standard Operating procedures, etc.
• Punctual attendance to work including both working hours in the assigned office and schedule field trips if applicable
• Ensuring timely and effective delivery of tasks
• Correctness and completeness of given tasks
• The Employee takes over the responsibility for all entrusted material or cash. The Employee is obligated to cover all damages or losses caused by his carelessness. The Agreement of Liability of Assets has been signed separately.
• Prompt providing of all relevant information to their supervisor
• Maintain confidentiality of all information gained from employment within not publically available
• Archiving of all entrusted and acquired documents in proper manner
• Representing and upholding the values of People in Need at all times
• Behave in appropriate manners at all times and in all place

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in business administration, development studies, or other related field
• Experience implementing projects in Ninewa
• Experience (at least 5 years) in planning, and management and coordination of national level projects
• Experience in skills development and support to VT and OJTs including early recovery or rural development projects within an NGO context
• Good communication skills, highly organized, result-oriented, responsible and reliable
• Ability to work under pressure, proactive and independent working style
• Good understanding of community participation and ability to communicate with impact and respect
• Ability to effectively lead other members of the team

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications by latest 31st January 2024 via a link:

https://airtable.com/appPRkwhR22Cq0Tps/shr2cgpFVN3aWYGQw

Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Early Applications are encouraged as the suitable Candidate might be Selected before the Application Deadline. People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need engages /is in contact with. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Early applications are encouraged as the suitable candidate might be selected before the application deadline

Finally, please consider that this appointment is subject to the final project approval from the donor.