Consortium Manager

Function: Management

Job Group: Programme

Duty Station: Ukraine: Odesa (40%), Kyiv and partner locations (60%) (Kharkivska, Khersonska, Donetska Oblasts)

Line Manager: Head of Programmes

Line Management Responsibility: Consortium M&E Officer, Consortium Finance Officer

JOB PURPOSE:

The Consortium Manager will be responsible for strategic advice on the management and direction of the FCDO-funded consortium, overall coordination and management of the consortium and serve as the consortium focal point. The Consortium Manager will oversee operational management and implementation of the consortium’s deliverables including budget management, M&E, reporting, and partnership management. They will maintain relationships with external stakeholders including government authorities, humanitarian working groups, and project partners. They will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all consortium partners and the donor.

ABOUT US

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) reimagines security and civilian protection in areas most impacted by conflict by working alongside communities to interrupt and prevent violence. NP is a global civil society organization that works with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and by helping to transform the world’s response to conflict situations. Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection and inter-communal violence reduction, social cohesion, and civic engagement.

NP first established a presence in Ukraine in 2014/2015 working on peacebuilding and conflict mediation. NP has had a sustained presence in Ukraine since April 2022. NP occupies a unique space in the protection response in Ukraine; simultaneously providing direct protection to at-risk civilians and providing hands-on support to front-line volunteer collectives to directly contribute to the sustainability and safety of their actions.

NP is the lead agency in a consortium funded by FCDO, to be launched in May 2023. The consortium prioritises access, localisation – particularly support to frontline volunteer groups – promotion of IHL and humanitarian norms and enabling an effective humanitarian response in frontline areas of Ukraine.

ABOUT YOU

You are an influential leader with diplomatic negotiation skills, strong coordination, networking, and stakeholder management skills. You bring partners together in the community around a collective goal and enable open communication. You have a clear understanding of the project management cycle, are highly skilled in budget management and have the ability to draw out impact in implementation. You have excellent interpersonal skills and a flair for connecting and building trust with people from various backgrounds. You are solutions focused, strategic, and driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to civilian protection.

KEY OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

· Develop and lead a well-functioning consortium, built around collaborative leadership and decision-making that capitalises on the expertise and capacities of all partners;

· Take the lead in project planning and coordination to ensure timely and quality implementation of all project activities in line with the program work plan and in full coordination with consortium member focal points;

· Organise meetings with consortium focal points, upon agreed schedule, to discuss project progress and share outcomes and agreed action points;

· Instigate review meetings, in collaboration with other NP and partner departments such as Programmes, Finance, grants, partnerships, M&E etc.;

· In collaboration with partner and NP technical staff, support the implementation of strategies for cross-cutting priorities (protection and prioritisation of the most vulnerable, promoting access, inclusion and respect for IHL, promoting sustainable recovery, developing a more localised response, maintaining flexibility);

· Provide managerial direction and guidance in line with the project’s expected outcomes;

· Identify, draw out and foster key points of coordination, overlap and opportunities for holistic programming;

· Support NP Consortium Programme Manager and coordinate with other NP Programme Managers to ensure coordination, harmonize project outcomes and budget management, and promote good practice.

Communication and Reporting

· Leads on coordination between consortium members and partners;

· Facilitate collective agreement and building consensus, providing a mediating presence in the event of a dispute or conflict, and helping to reduce duplication;

· Represent the consortium and NP to FCDO and other external stakeholders, effectively communicating challenges, successes, and contextual changes throughout the project;

· Compile programme narrative and financial progress reports/updates to share with FCDO;

· Compile and prepare quality partner project progress reports, in line with the agreed reporting schedule;

Financial Management

· In conjunction with the programme development and finance departments, monitor the project budget.

· Review partners’ financial reports, spending plans and budget revisions;

· Assist NP Finance Department with consolidating financial reporting in line with submission deadlines.

Representation / Key Working Relationships

· Close coordination with NP programme development team, programme advisors, and finance department;

· Close collaboration with consortium members, FCDO focal points, cluster leads, local actors (volunteer networks, CSOs/NGOs), local government, and relevant line ministries;

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

A. Education, Knowledge and Experience

· Post-secondary education in refugee law, human rights, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, negotiation, mediation, human security or related;

· Minimum of 5 years experience in managing large projects in INGOs;

· At least 2 years of working experience in a partnership or consortium management;

· Broad knowledge and experience in budget management;

· Strong knowledge of project management and an understanding of the humanitarian context programming is a plus;

· Experience in donor reporting;

· Experience in M&E;

· Experience in protection, peacebuilding, social cohesion, women’s peace, and security.

· Previous experience coordinating a consortium is preferred.

B. Skills

· Strong collaborator and influencer with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across cultures, and organisational units;

· Able to work effectively in a highly matrixed structure, multi-task, prioritize and make decisions.

· Strong financial management, budgeting, and communication skills;

· Analytical and problem-solving skills and an ability to work independently and with a team needed;

· Fluent in English, spoken and written. Understanding of Ukrainian/Russian language is an asset;

C. Other Specialised Requirements

· Ukraine is a complex security environment, and the evolution of the war is completely unpredictable – experience in insecure, high-risk environments is essential to success in this position.