Project Manager

Position Title: Project Manager
Reference Number: 240101
Position Scope: Part Time Consultancy
Position Location: Jerusalem
Start Date: 1 March 2024
Length: One year
Assigned Unit/Team: MENA
Supervisor: Country Director

Overview: This scope of work (SoW) outlines the Projects Manager (PM) position with the Center for Operational Analysis and Research (COAR). The PM leads and supervises the overall implementation of a project to provide research and learning in support of the European Union Joint Development Programme for Area C; the PM is responsible for leading the design and production of research deliverables, managing client communication/relationship (including workshops, brainstorming sessions, and presentations), and managing project finances. The PM is expected to ensure proper allocation of resources, lead on recruitment of required staff, manage relationships and communication with the European Union (including narrative reporting & updates), coordinate with COAR’s Finance and Accounting department on budget management, ensure compliance with COAR’s internal policies; and perform other technical or administrative functions required for the smooth implementation of the project.

About COAR: COAR is an independent social enterprise that directly supports practitioners, policymakers, and donors by facilitating humanitarian and development interventions in complex, fragile, and high-risk environments.

Objectives:
● To ensure successful set-up, implementation, and project close-out in a professional and cost-efficient manner
● To build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to ensure smooth project delivery and client satisfaction.

Deliverables
● Manage full project cycles, ensuring projects are successfully implemented;
● Manage the financial and administrative aspects of all projects; and
● Collaborate with COAR team members to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Activities
Project Cycle Management:
● Plan the delivery of the overall Project and its activities in accordance with the proposal/client requirement;
● Develop and regularly update a detailed work plan, in line with client and supervisor specifications and timelines;
● Follow-up closely with the client to ensure the minimum number of deliverables is requested on a quarterly basis
● Lead content discussions, present deliverables, and set up brain-storming workshops with the client
● Plan and monitor all required resources for the project implementation (including needed staff, both fixed and consultants);
● Monitor, evaluate, propose, and implement changes and improvements based on observations and discussions with internal and external stakeholders;
● Develop and maintain a budget tracker and a financial implementation plan to ensure the smooth and cost effective implementation of the project;
● Regularly engage with finance, revising Budgeted vs Actual spending (BvA), developing operational budgets, and closely monitoring costs;
● Liaise with technical experts to ensure quality control and assurance for all deliverables before submission;
● Engage in weekly internal meetings with other PMs and colleagues to coordinate resources, share experiences to identify and improve organizational best practices, and contribute to organizational growth and improvement;
● File all documentation in line with the organization’s filing system;
● Tracking the receipt of monthly timesheet and invoices from all project staff;
● Support Finance and Contracts with the preparation of invoices to client in compliance with contract clauses;
● Ensure at all times that work is compliant with the client’s procedures and contractual arrangements and conditions (including finances, procurement, etc.);

Client Management
● Act as the focal point for client engagement, ensuring communication is prompt, clear, timely, and precise;
● Ensure that deliverables are on time and excellent quality; immediately alert client of any delays;
● Lead on client meetings with the support of technical consultants and other team members;

Contextual
● Maintain a working knowledge of research methodologies and best practices as these pertain to COAR projects;
● Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the political, economic, social, humanitarian, military and conflict-related, infrastructure-related, and geopolitical dynamics in relevant countries;
● Develop and maintain a working knowledge of client programmes, country/territory response architecture, relevant UN interventions, as well as the programmes, interventions, and activities of relevant international NGOs, civil society organizations, etc.;

Technical
● Support technical personnel in the development of outputs as per client requests; and
● Arrange meetings, as needed, to convey client feedback and expectations to technical personnel.
● In coordination with client and team members, identify gaps and recruit qualified candidates;

Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate for COAR project manager will have:
● A BA or MA degree in business management, political science, international affairs, public administration, public policy, international development, International Law, Communications, or a related field.
● A minimum of four years’ work experience in the design, management and implementation of client-funded projects, preferably within the field of research and analysis.
● Excellent understanding of the Palestinian/Israel context.
● Strong understanding of donor government requirements, regulations, and rules, particularly as related to compliance and due diligence.
● Experience with UN AFPs and/or NGOs highly desirable;
● Demonstrated understanding of donor-funded humanitarian, early recovery, stabilization, and/or development architecture. Experience with Nexus programming is highly desirable; exposure to strategic communications is a plus
● Demonstrated experience in finance, procurement, logistics, and administration.
● Strong interpersonal, organizational, and managerial skills.
● Excellent command of English; Arabic and/or Hebrew desirable
● Excellent command of Microsoft Office applications and Google Applications
● Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently within a remote-based team;
● Strong presentation, reporting, and communication skills;
● Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
● Commitment to discretion and confidentiality;
● Strict adherence to COAR’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies at all times.