Project Manager – Sustainable Livelihood Development Program (m/f)

Description

• Right To Play is an International Non-Governmental Organization with the mission of Educating, Protecting and Empowering children and young people and helping them overcome adversity in underprivileged communities through the transformative power of games and sport. In partnership with Gorongosa Restoration Project, Right To Play will be working with the communities through our Play-Based learning approach aiming at contributing to positively impact in the lives of young women and children of the communities
• The Right To Play office in Mozambique is looking for a qualified candidate to join a team of professionals, as Project Manager of the Sustainable Livelihood Development Program, in Gorongosa, Sofala Province
• With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:
• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work
• Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code
• The Project Manager reports directly to the Program Manager (PM) or Programs Director (PD), where applicable. The incumbent is responsible for the effective leadership in project planning and high-quality implementation of the Sustainable Livelihoods and Development Program (SLDP) under the direction of the direct manager including identification and maintenance of partnership with Gorongosa Relief Park (GRP) and Resilience, in a Tripartite Partnership, coordinating and engaging with the government, communities, and other local partners. The Project Manager oversees donor stewardship in close coordination with the Country Office, and representation with key project stakeholders in the project implementation area. He/she is also responsible for effective communication, project reporting, budget planning, monitoring and donor compliance in the SLDP grant. The Project Manager directly manages project teams based in different locations in the SLDP’s project area in the six districts of Gorongosa buffer zone (Gorongosa, Dondo, Nhamatanda, Cheringoma, Muanza and Maringue districts)
• The Project Manager for SLD Project will contribute to enhanced integration of RTP’s Play Based Learning (PBL) approaches in the Tripartite Partnership with Gorongosa Restoration Park (GRP) and Resilience, and lead RTP’s main role on technical assistance and capacity building of the (GRP) staff and their stakeholders, under Outcome 2 of the SLD program that contributes to reduced undernourishment, improved access to water and sanitation and guarantee better information and greater freedom of choice for young people about their Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR), and strengthen partner capacity on mechanisms for enhanced advocacy for the rights of youths and young women. He/she will ensure overall success of the program implementation within planned timelines and budget working with the project staff in coordination with the GRP teams and ensure alignment of the interventions to the government priority especially the Ministry of Health’s efforts toward reducing levels of malnutrition, water-borne diseases and promoting SRHR for youth and young women
• The project manager for the SLDP liaises closely with RTP program specialists, from where he/she will draw technical and thematic support. He/she also interacts with the headquarters-related program staff to improve quality programming and delivery
• Job title - Number of Employees per Job Title
• Education Officer (Field Location) - N/A
• Technical/Capacity Building Officer (Field Location) - 4
• MEL Coordinator (Field Location) - N/A
• Driver (Field Location) - 1
• Cleaner (Field Location) - N/A
• Job title - Number of Employees/ Volunteers per Job Title
• Finance Coordinator (Field Location) - 1

Duties

• The Project Manager provides direct technical advice and guidance to the GRP implementation partners for effective implementation of Right To Play technical component of the SLD project in the project location
• In accordance with Right to Play (RTP) approved policies and procedures, the incumbent performs the following roles and deliverables:

Project planning and implementation - 45%

• Oversees planning and implementation of the SLD project, and ensures that project annual operational plan responses to the needs of the project beneficiaries and make changes based on impact and learning
• Lead on budget planning, implementation, and ensures that financial budgeting and reporting is aligned with program/project plans and donor compliance
• Completes monthly budget planning, projections, and tracks expenditures, and ensure high project performance, and guarantee alignment to achieve project outcomes
• Follows up on project logistics and guarantee timely and effective implementation of the procurement plan (in coordination with Logistics Coordinator, within authorization levels set in the In-Field Authorization Levels policy) and ensure project assets, including project vehicles are maintained
• Works closely with other project and non-project technical staff (e.g., Gender Specialist, Health Specialist) to ensure that project implementation reflects global good practice on SRHR and WASH, including in cross-cutting areas such as gender equality, child protection, inclusion, environmental sustainability
• Ensures documentation and exchange of experiences and learning with other RTP programs, to facilitate replication of project’s positive impact across RTP

Project quality and innovation - 15%

• Establish a standard framework for the partner capacity building for integration of Play Based Learning approaches in the SLD project, and ensures quality training, supervision, coaching and mentoring for quality project implementation
• Guarantee staff and partner orientation for quality execution of project activities supporting GRP in the SLD program
• In coordination with GRP and other partners, ensures project teams are implementing project activities timely in line with donor requirements to achieve project outcomes
• Provides quarterly updates of lessons learned and best practices to the direct manager and stakeholders to ensure that project lessons are being used to make changes to the plans as required to promote improved program delivery
• In coordination with GRP program management team, together with the RTP project team and in consultation with the direct manager, proactively identifies bottlenecks and potential program and implementation risks and develops effective strategies to address them
• Promptly answers ad hoc requests for information concerning the project from the donor and/or management, in line with agreed project communication protocols

Team management, compliance, and capacity building - 15%

• Ensures staff understanding and compliance with RTP policies
• Ensures that the project team members have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in their job descriptions to ensure quality performance
• Participates in the recruitment of new project staff members
• Conducts performance appraisals for all direct reports and provides regular feedback on performance to them
• Ensures staff training and capacity building of RTP team for quality support to project implementing partners in the SLD program
• Provides direct support to project team members in the form of systems and tools
• Develops and strengthens the project team’s understanding of project cycle management and donor compliance requirements, working closely with the Country Office, and GRP
• Ensures that staff capacity development plans are reviewed by the country office Senior Leadership Team and implemented
• Implements policies and procedures that guide and support RTP activities, ensures compliance with RTP code of conduct, gender and child safeguarding policies including timely and appropriate reporting
• Monitors security situation in project location and report to the direct line manager and follow existing systems to reasonably safeguard the overall health, welfare, and security of the project staff

Partnership, representation and networking - 10%

• Manages and ensures positive partnership relations and sound working relationship with staff members from GRP and Resilience and lead representing RTP in the SLDP’s local project coordination for implementation
• Ensures creation of positive relations with other local NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and the communities engaged in the SLD project
• Facilitates networking of GRP in the various advocacy networks for youth and women’s rights promotion and campaigns, as per SLDP’s project goal
• Regularly monitors the quality of RTP interaction with its project partners and advises senior leadership, on any identified risks and required adjustments in partnership approach
• Supports the direct manager in identifying potential linkages, collaboration and networking with other civil society organizations and government and other relevant institutions to enhance RTP visibility and program activities
• As needed, represents RTP in the GRP’s SLDP in various platforms and maintains positive relationships with governments and other relevant stakeholders regarding RTP activities
• Coordinates planning meetings with partners and stakeholders to discuss project improvement and represents RTP in various platforms in the SLDP
• Participates in partnership meetings with donors in close collaboration with the direct manager and the Country Director, as relevant
• Supports the direct manager in developing high quality proposals for potential funding

Monitoring and Reporting - 10%

• Oversees monitoring, review, assessment and evaluation plans for improved program development and delivery
• Conducts regular monitoring visits to project locations around GRP buffer zones, in Gorongosa, Dondo, Nhamatanda, Cheringoma, Muanza and Maringue to oversee activities, events and collects information for progressive reporting on project performance outcomes, working with the technical Capacity building Officers
• Coordinate with the Gorongosa Restoration Park (GRP) on monitoring and evaluation systems and ensure their implementation
• Ensures accurate collection and timely submission of quantitative and qualitative monitoring information according to partnership agreement
• Submits regularly project reports to PM/PD/GRP and occasionally external stakeholders including Ministries, partners, and donors
• Provides quarterly updates of lessons learned and best practices to project team, stakeholders, and the PM/PD
• Identifies potential success stories and other communications content related to the project and shares with the direct report for onward sharing with RTP communications staff
• Performs other duties as assigned - 5%

Requisites

• The incumbent is expected to plan his/her activities based on the established annual work plan. Consultation with partners would be required for activities schedules. The incumbent is also expected to organize meetings and events which require coordination with partners and/or other organizations
• Minimum Qualifications (Must have):
• Honours degree in Public Health; Social Science; business administration, management, or other related discipline
• Five years of experience in project management; nutrition, SRHR and health or community work including managing direct reports
• Experience on managing projects that benefit children and youth using experiential learning methods
• Experience on gender integration approaches in projects
• Experience working with consortiums or multi partner projects including the government, youths, and young women
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task on a constant basis
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal
• Self-starter with ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and delegation skills
• Able to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks
• Strong team working and team development
• Learning mindset with ability and flexibility to adjust to new working mechanisms
• High creativity and problem-solving skills is an asset
• Computer literacy in outlook, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Internet
• Understand project management cycle
• Effective report writing and analytical skills
• Budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data
• Project management skills
• Knowledge of results-based management and/project monitoring & evaluation
• Drive for program adaptation based on learning
• Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese, English and good understanding and speaking of local languages for Safala/Manica provinces
• Experience with Play Based Learning (PBL) approach
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Experience managing projects in multiple locations, including in rural development settings
• Understanding of community development
• Preferred experience in working in buffer zone of a conservation park
• Ability to communicate in local language spoken around Sofala and/or Manica Provinces
• Problem Solving: The incumbent is expected to follow established procedures and methods. Some problems will require analytic skills to identify ways to work within the limits and address needs at the same time
• Financial Impact: The incumbent is expected to manage the activities based on the approved budget and has approval ability as set by the In-Field Authorization Levels policy. He/she recommends purchasing equipment and other project-related expenses. Tracks expenses and decides on how to best spend remaining budget
• Information Management: The incumbent is expected to share information with external stakeholders with input from Capacity Building Officers and approval from PM/PD He/she collects data and generates reports and newsletters that distributes within the country and region and occasionally all RTP
• Continuous Improvement: The incumbent is expected to identify changes that would benefit the community, project team or partners
• Relationship Management: The incumbent is expected to enhance relationships with partners by identifying needs and integrating them into activities as much as possible while providing support for maintaining great relationship
• Internal: Program Manager/Programs Director, Training Officer, Education Specialist, Gender Specialist, MEL Specialist, Finance Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Capacity Building Officer, Communication Specialist, People and Culture. HR Focal Person, Administrative Assistant, Driver(s), other Project Officers where applicable
• External: Partnership members, Local NGOs and community-based organizations, partners and teachers and relevant Government departments
• Physical Environment and Effort: The incumbent will be dividing his/her time between the office and the field based on the need to attend stakeholder’s meetings, conduct field visits, and follow up on project implementation

Notes

• While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Shortlisting of applications will begin immediately, and interviews may be held before the closing date
• Right To Play provides equal employment opportunities to employees regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. We offer a family-friendly environment that allows for flexible work arrangements to support staff diversity and ensure a healthy work-life balance
• We are a child-cantered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory police record check as a condition of employment
• We are a child-cantered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory police record check as a condition of employment