Project Manager

Vacancy Announcement

ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 45 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty together. ActionAid Myanmar’s approach is building capacity among youth and supporting them to work for the community for short- and long-term development for their own community. One of its main programs is participatory community development (includes livelihood, health, education, women’s rights, DRR etc.); through fellowship for young people to promote development in Myanmar. ActionAid Myanmar has been working in partnership with Government, the local and national NGOs in different states and divisions.

Prospective Employees/ Consultants should note that ActionAid Myanmar does not tolerate any form of child abuse or exploitation. Children who come into contact with ActionAid must be protected from deliberate or unintended actions that place them at risk of child abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, discrimination and any other harm. In all actions concerning children, the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration with ActionAid Myanmar being committed to the principles of the Convention of the Rights of Children 1989 and the Declaration of Human Rights 1948 both of which promote respect for the rights of children. During the recruitment process assessments will be made of prospective employees/ consultants in this regard.

ActionAid Myanmar is looking for qualified candidate to fill the following position:

(Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply for this position.)

Position Title : Project Manager

Requirement : 1 post

Location : Yangon

Duration : 12 months (Extendable)

Compensation : Basic pay starting from 1,323 USD per month (Salary will be paid in MMK with monthly bank exchange rate) + other Benefits

Role Overview : The role envisages management of a 42-months project where AAM is a consortium member to the project for CSOs and Networks and their members/representative (Agents of Change) have enhanced capacity to lead and coordinate civic engagement initiatives and promote inclusive and participatory governance.

The project manager will be responsible for overseeing the whole project, ensuring effective implementation and achievement of project objectives and outcomes, including managing donor compliance set out in contractual agreements. Building and strengthening partnerships that focus on promoting local organisations will be essential in the successful delivery of the programme. Key to this position is flexibility, adaptability in response, pro-active risk management and exceptional consideration for safety and security of all parties involved during implementation.This position also contributes to larger CSO sector in terms of building capacities, networks, and coalitions with likeminded organisations and with relevant stakeholders and align the progress to AAM country strategy to build a vibrant civil society towards localisation.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Organizational Representation

• Represent AAM at various project-related network and alliance meetings, knowledge sharing and learning forums and donor consultations.
• Manage relationship with lead partner agency and ensure timely submission of quality progress and financial reports
• Maintain close contact with the consortium lead and the donor focal for the project and address queries arising in a timely manner.
• Maintain and promote meaningful partnership with all stakeholders involved in achieving the desired outcome of the project

Project management

• Provide effective management and coordination of the programme and its partners, including compliance in line with ActionAid’s organisational values and approaches to programming. .
• Ensure the achievement of agreed outcomes and targets by establishing monitoring frameworks and regularly monitoring the progress and quality of the program, identifying problems and opportunities.
• Ensure that the project is implemented according to the approved project proposal and in accordance with the donor rules and regulations.
• Employ strategic and innovative thinking to improve programme quality.
• Proactively seek new ideas, capitalises on opportunities, and adapts to changing needs and circumstances.
• Compile and submits change requests on the project where donor consultation/approval is required.
• Develop and practice governance structures of the project and support the Consortium Lead and AAM’s SMT with regular updates on the progress of the project.
• Ensure regular project monitoring visits and partner visits.
• Lead selection of partners and complete the contracting process.
• Map various stakeholders and create stakeholder matrix aligned with objectives of the project.
• Ensure timely submission of progress reports to the consortium project management for donor reporting.

ActionAid Contract Management System (CMS)

• Responsible for creating and maintaining relevant pages (grants, projects and deliveries) for the project management.
• Update stakeholder (partners and donors) pages.
• Coordinate with ActionAid Myanmar Super Users and ActionAid affiliates regarding clarifications or questions.
• Identify team members needed on the system and ensure their participation (training and active use).
• Nominate one team member to share responsibilities in uploading documents, updating progress and tracking deadlines using the system.

Partnership development

• Support the partnership team in negotiating donor’s and funding affiliates and lead agency contracts/MOUs relevant to project partners and vendors.
• Ensure full circle of grant management (including budget management compliances, reporting, communications, etc) for any grants related of the project after funding agreement.
• Proactively provide inputs for partnership team in developing and reviewing proposals.
• Initiate, build and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective partners.
• Support program staff to monitor and manage institutional partnership project implementation through the establishment and followed-up of project accountability systems.

Reporting

• Prepare and submit progress report as required as per MoU/Partnership agreement within ActionAid entities or with donor and other cooperating partners as in the consortium project.
• Share project related key achievements and progress within AAM (All staff meeting) and for senior management team (SMT).
• Share project achievements and learnings with donors and any other relevant external stakeholder upon consultation with the line manager and SMT as and when necessary.
• Ensure the internal reporting process is followed for quality and timely preparation and submission of the report. The project manager is to present and get clearance SMT member prior to final review and sign off by CD for any external reporting requirement.
• Lead on quality progress reports, donor reports and other reports as required

Monitoring and evaluation

• Work with AAM Programme Quality and Research team to develop monitoring framework for project activities .
• Analyze the feedback from participants of the training programmes and work on the feedback to improve the delivery of the trainings.
• Ensure the Project officer provides monthly data input for AAM Database and M&E system.
• Ensure the quality of program implementation, conduct regular monitoring and reviews and evaluate in line with the requirements.

People Management

• Recruit, nurture and manage a high-quality project team .
• Manage a cohesive, constructive, and committed team, through proper motivation, participatory decision making, and effective communication to promote staff productivity, working enthusiasm, and creativity.
• Provide induction, training, coaching, mentoring, and advice to ensure that all team members understand and can carry out their responsibilities effectively.
• Conduct performance review and feedback to supervised staff periodically (as agreed), and work with staff to develop follow up actions if necessary. Submit hard copy of signed performance appraisals to HR.
• Assist in the recruitment and interview process for any position that fall under supervision of the Project Manager.
• Identify and facilitate the work of appropriate consultants/volunteers appointed by AAM upon the need of the designated project and relating ones.

Financial Management

• Oversee budget management of the unit in collaboration with relevant Finance team.
• Develop and inform the Finance unit for the monthly/quarterly cash flow of the project activities.
• Ensure that all donor queries on financial report are answered satisfactorily in coordination with the finance team.

Audit and risk management

• Assess possible risk for the project periodically and take proactive measures to mitigate the risk.
• Contribute to AAM Risk mitigation and management by informing the risks identified by the project and consulting the line manager and SMT for appropriate measures.
• Support any audit requirement.

Others

• Be responsible to adhere/ Comply with approved organisational policies and procedures. Any tasks as assigned by line manager**.**

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, economics, development or related field
• Relevant graduate or post graduate educational qualifications on Education and Training, Social Studies, Media, Research is preferable.

Essential Experience

• At least 5 years equivalent experience in programme management in NGO sector.
• Extensive experience in working with youth and community mobilization, creating, and strengthening of grassroot CSO collectives.
• Proven experience of strong team management skills and leading high performing teams.
• Experience of working with diverse stakeholders and excellent coordination skills.

Language Proficiency

• Proficiency in both English and Myanmar language**.**

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent people management skills including the capacity to build a team and support them to drive initiatives and learn from mistakes.
• Proven advanced written and spoken English and Myanmar communication skills suitable for reporting to donors, communicating with International and national/local NGOs and civil society organizations, media, private sector and community.
• Demonstrated good computer literacy with software programs in particular Microsoft Office applications (both English and Myanmar) as well as capacity to adapt to new online business systems.
• Proven ability to work to deadlines.
• Proven financial management skills.
• Ability to line manage, project manage, manage businesses and matrix management.

Functional Competency Profile

Technical Knowledge: An understanding of women’s rights, women’s leadership and decision making, gender-based violence and human-rights, particularly in the Myanmar context.

An understanding of key concepts and issues around social accountability and social cohesion, as well as, building alliances and networks at all levels.

Communication: Expresses ideas clearly and concisely; disseminates training and community awareness information to men, women, and youth.

Coordination: Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to working in collaboration. Has the ability to build constructive relationships based on mutual values and respect and understand civil society dynamics and their role in change process.