Project Manager – Fixed-term contract for 12 months/full-time

Reports to:

The Project Manager will report to the CBM Global Lao PDR Country Director with dotted-line reporting to Member Associations

Job Overview

The Project Manager is responsible for the management and implementation of CBID Project in line with the CBM Global’s Strategy, Laos Country Strategy and within the CBM Global’s Programme Quality Framework and through appropriate Programme Management systems.

This position is responsible to oversee the project cycle management, partnership, partner capacity building with OPDs and local stakeholders, project budget, communications, reporting and monitoring and evaluation. S/he will act as a focal person for project implementation with donor, stakeholders, and partners on behalf of CBM Global.

The CBID project is funded by the New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through their partnership with CBM New Zealand and co investment form private donors from CBM Global Member teams New Zealand and Switzerland. A key role of this position is to manage the relationship with the Member Organisations, CBM New Zealand that is the lead MA for this project, to support managing donor requirements, reporting and partner support for implementation and capacity development. The Project Manager is expected to undertake fieldwork to support the frontline staff of the partner. Good verbal and written communication skills, English proficiency as well as cultural appropriateness with different groups will be expected. Experience on international development is a competency required. Experience delivering training is desirable. Knowledge of Lao or Khmu Language will be helpful.

Based: We welcome applications from those with the right to work in Lao PDR. This position is based in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR (with flexibility to travel quarterly at least)

Hours: Full-time, 32 – 40 hours per week

Salary range: The salary offered will be competitive, dependent on skills and experience. We offer a local contract

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Project Management:
   1. Lead and coordinate implementation of the project activities, which is a constitutive part of the country strategy, and subsequently manage its execution.
   2. Plan various stages of project implementation and ensure smooth implementation of work plan activities.
   3. Guide implementation of the project and the methods of follow-up.
   4. Liaise with all internal and external counterparts of the project.
   5. Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources.
   6. Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during project
      implementation.
   7. Collect technical information and analyse associated opportunities and risks.
   8. Ensure that security procedures are respected by each member of the project team.
2. Partnership:
   1. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing partnerships. S/he will collaborate closely with partners, donor, and other institutions.
   2. Ensure partners and other stakeholders have a clear understanding of project goals, and inspire, support, and motivate them to achieve desire objectives and goals.
   3. Develop, maintain, and strengthen relations with other agencies working in the same geographic area or technical areas.
   4. Participate in technical meetings to ensure visibility amongst local authorities; working groups involving NGOs and UN Agencies and all other inter-governmental institutions; and pass relevant information to the Country Manager.
   5. Establish and maintain positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of CBMG’s mandate, and values.
   6. Develop a good working relationship and knowledge of partner portfolio to identify strengths, capacities, needs, and potentials.
   7. Communicate with partners as the first point of contact on behalf of CBM Global.
   8. Identify needs and organise training and capacity building for the partners in coordination with the project manager of partner and CBM Global’s country team.
   9. Solicit partner feedback to improve support.
3. Grant Management:
   1. Manage project finances in close coordination with partner’s project finance officer and CBM Global’s Laos Finance Manager and CBM NZ team.
   2. Guide and supervise project staff.
   3. Prepare and follow work plans with each project member and partner organisation.
   4. Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics.
   5. Monitoring and working with partners and relevant stakeholders to identify project risks and ensuring mitigating actions are agreed and implemented in a timely manner.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:
   1. Oversee the development and management of learning systems and ensure that learning is incorporated across project.
   2. The project manager along with partner’s project team will be responsible for monitoring technical quality of program interventions, and accountability.
   3. Identify best practices and lessons learned. Collect stories and information and tools used for project implementation and share as relevant to the country manager and other project team members.
5. Report Writing:
   1. Ensure the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required.
   2. Project reporting requirements: Set up a clear timeline of reports to be submitted to project donor.
   3. Draft narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports
      through regular budgetary follow up.
   4. Communicate systematically to the Country Manager and other project stakeholders on project progress and planning.
6. Technical capacity building:
   1. Ensure capacity building of partner organisation and technical staff in the relevant sectors.
   2. Facilitate to develop capacity building plan of partner and project team which is based on the Partnership Assessment (PA)
   3. Document and share experiences and good practices followed in partners organisations.
   4. Support the development of training materials and train the partners on different aspects disability inclusion when appropriate.
   5. Plan and organize workshops/ trainings in a time bound manner and represent CBM Global at conferences, workshops and seminars when assigned.
7. Safeguarding:
   1. Ensure s/he fully understands the provisions of the safeguarding policy, the Code of Conduct, and local procedures.
   2. Responsible for compliance to all aspects of the CBM Global Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, abuse and harassment policies and associated standards and procedures.

Key outcomes expected from this role

1. Project delivered to an exemplary standard, meeting all targets as detailed in the project design.
2. High quality narrative reports submitted on time, meeting the needs of all stakeholders.
3. Problems and challenges that arise in the project identified and addressed promptly, minimising impact upon project achievements.
4. Project learning identified, documented and shared.
5. Project work plans and implementation aligned to CBM Global and Country Office Strategy.
6. Effective collaboration with partners and other stakeholders who engages in project implementation.

Person Specification

All of the following requirements are essential, unless marked with a * when they are desirable, and will be assessed from a combination of information provided from the application form and interview process.

CBM Global welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and people with lived experience of disability.

Experience and knowledge

• Minimum 5 years’ experience of project management with INGOs
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams effectively
• Strong leadership and coordination and proven experience in coordination and managing relationship with NGOs and government partners
• Experience in disability sector and community development*

Skills/competencies/personal qualities

• Practical computer skills (Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet);
• Good Communication Skills in English (oral & written);
• Abide by and display CBM Global core values in all aspects of work.
• Flexible approach to work demands.
• Willingness to learn, change and adapt.
• Well organized with the ability to multitask.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Self-professional management skill in little supervision
• Proven strong skills in writing narrative reports*

Qualifications, training, and education

• Bachelor’s degree in management/livelihood related social science, or any other related field.
• Associated degree in relevant field (disability, gender, community development) is an advantage.