Principal Manager, Project Management

Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company committed to shaping a more livable world. We work on the frontlines of global development by transforming ideas into action and action into impact. Our projects tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI has corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

Function of the Position

This position provides home office management, financial, and contractual oversight to U.S. Government-funded international development projects. The position is responsible for enabling projects to achieve quality programming and development outcomes and is part of a core team of Project Managers (PMs) providing surge and capacity support to the portfolio with decision-making authority for one or more projects. As project management team member, this position provides support and collaborates with colleagues as needed.

A Principal Manager (P7) will be responsible for a portfolio of projects with a total contract value of approximately $75 to $100 million.

These values are for reference only. Final allocation of portfolios will be made on a case-by-case basis and aligned with individual’s professional experience and level of complexity of the portfolio.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the following key functions:

Project Oversight.

• Manages home office functions for one or more projects and relationships with the field teams.
• Manages resources across these teams and encourages collaboration within broader directorate and geography.
• Makes timely decisions; escalates to appropriate decision-maker as needed
• Keeps Senior Portfolio Director (SPDs) informed of key management or technical issues on the projects.
• Participates in management or technical STTAs. Executes authorities listed in SOA.
• Grade P7 may serve as Acting COP or DCOP.

Mobilizing Technical Expertise.

• Identifies home office technical experts (e.g., from Development Innovations) that will serve as resources to the COP and component leads on the project.
• With the support of the Recruitment team and field human resources teams, engages in project level recruitment in support of STTA and LTTA vacancies.
• Participates and provides support as necessary to the COP and field team during all strategic planning sessions.
• Manages project extension or modification proposals.
• Reviews, supports, and edits (with COP) STTA deliverables as requested by field.
• Contributes to cross-portfolio knowledge sharing and is responsible for promoting project through success stories, DAI website updates, hosting project brown bags, etc.
• Contributes to cross-project learning with Development Innovations to deepen development solutions that are locally relevant, successful, and sustainable.

Quality Assurance.

• Leads Quarterly Project Review (QPR) process.
• Responsible for following up on specific action items and/or taking measures for improvements as needed resulting from the Client Satisfaction Surveys (CSM) twice a year. Grade 7 conducts the call directly with the Technical Director.

Risk Management.

• Provides oversight of operational activities, such as mobilization and demobilization of staff, home office-based procurement, etc.
• Troubleshoots complex, or cross-departmental problems
• Ensures compliance with DAI policies and procedures and, in consultation with support groups, providing recommendations for best practices (in areas such as inventory management, insurance, record management, export control, etc.)
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the COP and HO staff on technical, management, operational, and financial issues.
• Engages HR on field and PDT personnel issues as needed.
• Participates in project start-up and closedown and may serve as Start-up or Close-down Manager or Team Leader as appropriate.
• Proactively identifies and analyzes areas of risk, advises project team on solutions and preventative measures. Ensures compliance with internal and external audit findings.

Contractual Compliance.

• Ensures overall contract compliance with client and DAI rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Resolves complex contractual issues with appropriate escalation and collaboration with Contracts and senior management.
• Manages preparation of budget realignments, contract modifications, and subcontract modifications.
• Ensures team drafts routine contractual documents using approved templates.
• Writes Statements of Work for subcontracts and serves as primary point of contact for all US based subcontractors and partners.

Financial Management.

• Accountable for managing project financial performance targets (with COP); leads project financial reviews, analyzes and troubleshoots financial issues.
• Monitors and approves project non-billable costs; responsible for minimizing non-billable costs.
• Responsible for ensuring accuracy of project financial transactions and monthly project invoices.
• Reviews and approves home office payments (e.g., expense reports, vendor invoices).
• Monitors accuracy of project budget and provides analysis and solutions; understands financial structure of contract and advises COP and home office on profitability implications.
• Assists home office team and field with quarterly ETC projections and provides final ETC review.

Staff Management.

• Supervises, trains and coaches Project Associates.
• Grade 7 may have COP supervisory responsibilities
• Ensures COP receives DAI orientation and appropriate training.
• Ensures Project Associates/Specialists complete the required training as per the Learning Plan, skills, and support to successfully carry out their SOWs.
• Encourages learning and knowledge sharing across USG Programs.
• Conducts performance reviews and goal setting meetings for Associates.
• Grade 7 serving as COP supervisors conducts performance reviews for COPs along with the Technical Director.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience and a college degree.
• Experience leading administrative, contractual, financial, and regulatory compliance in USG funded contracts with an overall value of at least $80 million.
• Excellent and updated knowledge of U.S. federal government regulations, policies, and procedures
• Supervisory experience of field and home office staff.
• Advanced MS Office skills, especially conducting quantitative analysis in Excel
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to travel on assignments for DAI projects (minimum one assignment per year)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant area
• Experience working in host countries
• Experience working in a developing country
• Proficiency in a second language (French, Spanish, Russian, or Arabic preferred).

Supervisory Requirements

May supervise one or more Project Associates or Project Specialists