Project Manager

Title: Project Manager

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Start date: September – October 2023

Contract duration: 2 years

Description of the profile:

DRS is looking for a Project Manager for our client, to manage the successful delivery of education reform projects, managing resources and ensuring that deliverables are completed to quality, cost, and time standards as specified in the contract, aiming to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Manage project documentation, scope, and deliverables (20%)

• Monitor and actively manage project scope, containing scope creep and negotiating variations as required
• Manage the completion and effective handover of deliverables as defined in the contract;
• Manage the project documentation (e.g., the contract implementation and variations, completion certificates, or acts of rendered services);
• Ensure project documentation is organised and controlled, in line with the standard.

Plan the project and monitor and report delivery performance (15%)

• Contribute as needed to contract or bid development to advise on deliverability and high-level planning;
• Produce robust, achievable plans for the projects and ensure the commitment of all engaged parties to achieve them;
• Monitor progress against plan and take corrective action and/or escalate to ensure plans are delivered;
• Ensure timely, transparent reporting is provided to inform on all aspects of project performance and risks, to meet the need of the Project Steering Group, Client, and CPE, SMT;
• Lead and chair project working groups and meetings.

Establish effective project governance and project organisation (20%)

• Set up and facilitate both internal and external governance to support effective;
• Decision-making and proper use of escalation routes;
• Ensure clarity of project organisation and roles.

Operate robust project controls (15%)

• Ensure controls are operated in accordance with good project practice and CPE project management methodology to ensure that delivery meets stakeholder requirements;
• Set and manage budgets, forecasts, control expenditure, contingencies, and timely processing of purchase orders and invoices;
• Establish and operate controls for managing quality, working with technical SMEs to manage the submission of all deliverables to ensure they achieve the specified standards;
• Actively manage and report project risks throughout the project lifecycle. Promote the focus of the project team to address these risks, ensuring mitigation and contingency arrangements are defined and provisioned for and escalating to the Programme;
• Manager, Portfolio Manager, or Project Sponsor as required;
• Actively manage project issues and corresponding resolution actions, escalating to the Programme Manager, Portfolio Manager, or Project Sponsor as required;
• Identify, record, and act on lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle;
• Ensure any secondary benefits and/or implications for the organization are understood and monitored as required.

Manage resources and staffing (10%)

• Work with the CPE Supplier Manager to arrange the supply of external suppliers for the project in line with project plans and scope of work;
• Manage procurement of external resources including timely processing of procurement deliverables and approvals;
• Work with technical SMEs to ensure alignment with project scope and that all project resources both internal and external have clear terms of reference;
• Actively monitor and manage the delivery performance of resources;
• Coordinate and communicate with the project team to ensure they are engaged and kept up to date of changing needs and priorities of the project;
• Positively and actively lead and motivate the project team.

Manage communication and stakeholder engagement (15%)

• Plan and manage project communications both internally and externally, in line with an actively maintained communication plan;
• Manage client interactions for the project, ensuring a positive experience for the client and collaborating closely with them on matters relating to delivery;
• Work with the Project Sponsor, Portfolio Manager, and Programme Manager to actively manage engagement, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders in order to enable successful delivery of the project.

Manage project closure (5%)

• Manage the project closure and final handover to the client;
• Complete a Post Implementation Review at the end of the project, liaise with the Operational Performance Analyst on lessons learned, and formally close the project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field;
• Certification as a PRINCE2 practitioner or an equivalent qualification or relevant experience.

Skills

• Good knowledge and experience in working with formal Project Management methodologies such as PRINCE2 and Agile;
• Proficient project management and organizational skills;
• Proactive and strategic thinker, capable of providing constructive challenges;
• Ability to proactively identify and manage risks;
• Excellent presentation, communication, and negotiation skills;
• Innovative problem-solving abilities and ability to anticipate issues;
• Strong understanding of the international education reform marketplace;
• Knowledge or experience with digital workflows, web technologies, and digital platforms;
• Knowledge and understanding of digital learning and online education;
• Advanced proficiency in both written and spoken English.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in project management within the education or assessment sectors;
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, large, and/or international projects for demanding clients;
• Effective and persuasive communication with stakeholders at all organizational levels.

Behavior

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills;
• Sensitivity to intercultural differences;
• Tenacity and perseverance;
• Ability to recognize and address the diverse needs of individuals and teams involved in the project;
• Capable of working under tight deadlines and in high-pressure environments;
• Positive and proactive attitude;
• Strong focus on continuous improvement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Domestic or international travel may be required.

WORKING PATTERN

The job will generally involve work during normal office hours. The job does not have fixed working patterns.

Levels of workload are dependent on the status of particular projects, although the post holder will be expected to identify and prioritise as needed.