Project Manager – Entomology & Diagnostics

POSITION PURPOSE

Working closely with the Senior Project Manager, the Project Manager supports the successful implementation of WMP projects within a specific country. The Project Manager is expected to demonstrate and reflect the WMP values and way of working in a consistent manner. The Project Manager is responsible for supporting project set up, capacity building, administration, implementation and risk management. They facilitate contact between project teams and WMP and utilise an astute set of practical skills including planning, implementation and risk management, using a deep understanding of the Wolbachia technology and awareness of regulatory and community engagement approaches to ensure a positive impact and benefit is achieved at each project site.

The Project Manager, Entomology and Diagnostics is also responsible for providing training and direction in relation to both insectary and diagnostic activities across a number of WMP project sites. The Project Manager supports the development of training curricula and ensures standard operating procedures are strictly adhered to while providing support to ensure consistent, robust and timely implementation of relevant project activities.

The Project Manager works within the regional implementation team, and coordinates with them to support projects and ensure consistent and high quality project implementation.

Reporting line: The position reports to the Senior Project Manager, under broad direction and works with a degree of autonomy.

Supervisory responsibilities: Not applicable

Financial delegation and/or budget responsibilities: Not applicable

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Work closely with the Senior Project Manager and implementation team to ensure successful delivery of WMP projects through exceptional planning, coordination and project management. The Project Manager is specifically responsible for supporting the Project Coordinator in the set up of project teams, infrastructure and processes, and ensuring timely and high quality delivery of project goals and objectives.
2. Build proactive and supportive relationships with key leadership and operational roles within local project teams, global WMP team and with key stakeholders to provide expertise, advice and direction.
3. As a recognised subject matter expert in mosquito production & diagnostics, provide guidance and support to projects in laboratory activities, quality assurance, data collection and reporting in accordance with existing policies and procedures to ensure a high quality, standardised process is used in all projects.
4. Collect, analyse and report project data, including statistical analysis, to inform decision making, find cost-effective solutions and inform project budgets and timelines.
5. Work with Functional leads and the Senior Project Manager to ensure that consistent standards and processes are applied broadly across all project sites to deliver a consistent approach to WMP project execution and maintenance of quality and brand reputation.
6. Identify risks associated with project execution, and work with the Senior Project Manager to engage the right people and resources to manage them.
7. Identify opportunities to improve the quality of implementation. Support efficient delivery and optimisation of new technologies and capturing project-led innovations.
8. Communicate effectively with implementation and functional teams to share learnings and expertise to ensure continuous improvement practices are widely adopted.
9. Identify opportunities and develop strategies for expansion in target countries to ensure the success of execution at a later stage. Participate in regional strategy development.
10. Collaborate with the Learning Design Solutions team to develop curriculum and resources for efficient and accurate knowledge transfer in mosquito production and diagnostics, and promote Catalyst use for capacity building of project staff.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Education/Qualifications

Relevant qualifications – such as biological science or a general science degree, or extensive and highly relevant previous experience;

Knowledge and Skills

1. Experience and/or knowledge of rearing Ae. aegypti with strong quality assurance and risk management oversight.
2. Proven molecular diagnostics skills including multiplexing qPCR and sound knowledge of good laboratory practice
3. Experience and/or knowledge in undertaking field entomology activities, preferably with the release and monitoring of novel vector control technologies.
4. Possess solid leadership, project management experience and skills.
5. Proven ability to cultivate and sustain trusted valuable relationships, ideally across a range of cultures and countries; and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills.
6. Demonstrated high level interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to influence, negotiate, and provide advice with a wide range of individuals and agencies, especially those outside the institution in order to achieve specific objectives;
7. Proven experience in planning and implementing large and complex projects, particularly in an environment where continuous change is an expected norm;
8. Proven ability to act independently, take initiative within established management guidelines, and have the ability to be self-organising, work under pressure and meet deadlines
9. Previous work experience in relevant fields such as international development, to implement healthcare or other change programs that affect communities in developing countries
10. Ability to implement new systems and procedures that will contribute to increased operational efficiency
11. Strong Spanish language skills with a working knowledge of English;

Desirable

Previous experience in a role requiring engagement with regulatory bodies and/or community groups, particularly in a range of cultural settings.

OTHER JOB-RELATED INFORMATION

• Significant travel to overseas project sites, potentially for extended periods to immerse with local teams.
• Out of hours work (including evenings, weekends and public holidays) may be required to accommodate periods of increased work and travel.
• There may be peak periods of work during which the taking of leave may be restricted.
• The position is only open to applicants with the rights to work in El Salvador
• The candidate will be hired as Contractor and 12 months with renewal opportunity.
• Closing date: 29 November 2022
• The Cover letter is required