PROJECT MANAGER – EASTERN EUROPE

Sayara International is hiring an experienced Project Manager to join its Eastern Europe team. This is a permanent position. Please read the full Terms of Reference below and the guidelines on how to apply for this role. We look forward to hearing from you.

Position Description:

The Project Manager will guide the implementation of project activities delivered within the framework of Sayara’s flagship project in Eastern Europe (FCDO-funded). The Project Manager will be responsible for providing managerial leadership to the project, coordinating and supporting the day-to-day activities and resources of the project, networking with internal and external actors, and mobilizing resources. The selected candidate must demonstrate a high aptitude for managing key project stakeholders (teams of experts, suppliers, sub-contractors, etc.) and have a proven track record of taking ownership of all aspects of project management. In addition, the Project Manager will support the development of analytical products and provide quality assurance on the key project deliverables.

The Project Manager will report to the Director for Eastern Europe.

The Project Manager will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.

About Sayara International:

Sayara International is a social enterprise combining rigorous research and communication to create positive change in fragile and conflict-affected societies.

Sayara provides complex monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and social and behavior change communication (SBCC) in the most challenging environments. We work on countering disinformation, measuring social cohesion, and assessing education, migration, inclusive governance, climate change, and health.

Diverse perspectives and an emphasis on equity bring strength to Sayara. Gender, inclusion, and intersectional identities are cross-cutting themes across all our internal practices and our programs for governments, civil society organizations, and international institutions.

Sayara has evolved across unstable contexts. Our decentralized structure – with a global leadership network and investment in local talent – enables agility and rapid start-up, while equipping us with unique values and competencies.

Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in 39 countries across Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Our teams of professionals are based in field offices in Khartoum, Kyiv, and Nairobi, with support from our offices in London, Madrid, Marseille, and Warsaw.

Sayara’s Eastern Europe team is comprised of experienced, in-house local experts (country-level leadership and program staff) across the region, plus an array of expert consultants with a variety of skillsets and local knowledge. Sayara’s network in the region extends to think tanks, academia, and other local partners. Our Eastern Europe regional team operates from Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltic countries, and conducts projects in the Baltics and Eastern Partnership countries.

Find out more about Sayara International:

Website: https://sayarainternational.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SayaraIntl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayarainternational

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9407279/

Responsibilities:

• Lead project implementation throughout its lifecycle, from inception to successful delivery.
• Support research activities and deliver analytical products.
• Ensure effective project delivery, financial management, risk management, policy alignment, and adherence to FCDO guidelines and best practices.
• Monitor project progress against agreed milestones.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key project stakeholders (technical team, suppliers, etc.).
• Supervise consultants and track their time.
• Review all project deliverables and ensure their high quality.
• Report on progress and provide regular updates to the client(s).
• Produce and disseminate reports and other materials as required.
• Maintain project schedules, and monitor risks and opportunities.
• Other ad hoc tasks, as assigned.

Desired Qualifications/Skills:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree, ideally in business, social science, political science, international affairs, media, communications, or another relevant field.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, with a proven track record of supporting successful projects.
• Experience with FCDO/DFID (ideally CSSF) funded projects.
• Demonstrated skills in goal setting, planning, prioritizing, decision making, problem solving, and resource management.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively – both independently and as part of a team.
• Good IT skills (Office 365).
• Strong English and ideally Polish/Russian; other languages considered a plus (especially Georgian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, or Ukrainian).
• Ideally familiar with Eastern European geopolitics.
• Ideally worked (as Project Manager or researcher) on projects related to strategic communication, media monitoring, media development, or similar.
• Strong commitment to high-quality work and integrity in all interactions.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.

Location & Travel:

Warsaw preferred / remote work possible. Some travel may be required.

Salary:

Monthly gross salary of 2,000-2,500 GBP, negotiable according to experience.

Job Type:

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), Monday-Friday.

Duration:

The Project Manager will be offered a one (1) year employment contract, with a four (4) month probation period and the option for renewal, based on the discretion of and mutual agreement between Sayara and the Project Manager.