Project Manager - Partnership for Improved Nutrition Location: [Asia & Pacific] [Laos] Town/City: Sikhotabong District Category: Project Management This position is contingent upon the signing of the grant agreement. Position location either in Vientiane Capital or Savannakhet. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION World Vision (WV) has recently been awarded an 11.1 million EUR grant from the European Union (EU) to lead a consortium of partners to implement their Accelerating Health Agriculture and Nutrition (AHAN) project under pillar three of the EUs Partnership for Improved Nutrition in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (PDR). Consortium partners include World Vision Australia (lead) with 4 implementing partners: World Vision Laos, Agronomes et Vtrinaires Sans Frontire (AVSF), Green Community Development Association (GCDA) and the Burnet Institute. Commencing on the 1stof October 2017, this 48 month project has the overall objective of creating supportive conditions for enhanced household (HH) nutrition through the following specific objectives: 1) Improved access to and availability of sufficient and/or diverse foods year round; 2) Improved dietary and care practices among Women of Reproductive Age and children under 5; 3) Reduced incidence of selected Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related diseases/illnesses linked to undernutrition; 4) Improved gender equitable relations at the HH level, particularly in decision-making and distribution of workload; and 5) Strengthened multi-sector coordination and support for nutrition. The project will be implemented across three provinces and 12 districts of Lao PDR. To support this project, a Project Manager (PM) will be recruited to provide overall coordination, leadership and oversight of the project, and will be responsible for the overall quality, timeliness and efficiency of the project, and ensuring the project complies with all internal (WV) and donor (EU) requirements including financial management and reporting requirements.
Some of the key roles and responsibilities of the PM include: Managing a large team of implementing staff, technical advisers, and support staff, on a day to day basis Coordinating the implementing partners (WVLaos, AVSF, GCDA and Burnet Institute) Developing monthly implementation action plans and related budgets together with the projects five team leads Ensuring the timely implementation and spending of monthly action plans by each of the projects five team leads Reviewing monthly narrative and financial reports for quality, and accuracy Reporting to the Project Steering Committee (chaired by the Country Program Director) every six months on the operational and financial performance of the project Working collaboratively with WVs program quality, operations and finance departments to ensure the project is implemented in line with WVsoperational and accountability systems and structures Coordinating with other agencies involved in the implementation of complementary EU funded actions including UNICEF (pillar 1: nutrition governance) and KfW (pillar 3: major water supply systems) Managing government engagement including: Leading the process of acquiring memoranda of understanding with the Government of Lao
(GoL) for each of the project locations Participating in government stakeholder meetings, including provincial and district implementation management committee meetings Supervising and finalizing the drafting of reports to Government Managing engagement with other external stakeholders including: Attending annual Development Partners Monitoring Missions by the Government of Lao Attending Development Partners Group meetings (co-convened by the EU and UNICEF) Attending SUN CSA annual general meetings Attending the National Nutrition Forum Managing donor engagement, including meeting regularly with the EU delegation in-country (quarterly) to provide project updates and supporting donor field visits Working collaboratively with the WVAustralia Grants (acting as coordinator for the lead applicant World Vision Australia) to ensure lead applicant oversight of progress, donor compliance, communications with the donor and quality reporting. MAJOR ACTIVITIES Overall Leadership and Project Management
Manage a team of 58 full time staff, with an additional 21 part-time support staff, over 48 months of the Project. Direct and oversee all aspects of project implementation, lead the consortium for the EU partnership initiative including ensuring that all Partners meet their obligations under the project, and meet WV and EU compliance standards. Escalate grant management issues early and openly; resolve grant management issues quickly and fully. Team Leadership and Personnel Management Supervise a team of senior level international and national staff with skills across a diverse set of technical areas. Ensure proper technical capacity of staff to manage complex donor-funded projects. Lead grant staff and short-term consultants. Financial Management Manage project budget within approved spending levels and ensure accurate and timely financial reports to WVA, who then submits to the donor. Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communication Establish and maintain effective project reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and communication systems. Submit timely accurate and professional reports that meet donor and WV requirements. Risk Management
Ensure grant/project expenses are reasonable, allocated as per assigned budget, prudent and spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations to ensure low risk audits. Stakeholder Management Manage proactive and responsive relationship with WVA as Lead Applicant, Project Partners, Government stakeholders, and the EU delegation in Laos, in close collaboration with WVLaos Country Program Director. Learning and Evidence Consistently look for more effective and efficient implementation methods and opportunities to increase impact. Facilitate learning of best practice by ensuring a continuous learning process is developed and in place with key staff and partners/sub-grantees. Identify operational research opportunities and support the development of these opportunities and the sharing of the learning within the wider development community. Networking and Advocacy Ensure WV is taking a lead role in nutrition sensitive agriculture networks in Laos, including seeking cooperation for joint advocacy opportunities. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Masters degree in a relevant field (agriculture, nutrition, development, business administration) or equivalent experience Proven ability to manage and lead large, multi-disciplinary teams
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Proven experience managing consortiums with multiple implementing partners Knowledge of donor requirements for grant funded projects, including policies and regulations (knowledge of donor requirements for EU funded projects an advantage) Proven experience in stakeholder management including working with host-country professionals, government ministries and donors Strong financial management skills Strong oral presentation and report writing skills, fluency in English required Minimum of 10 years experience in international development, including at least 5 years in senior grant management position Demonstrated ability to manage international development projects in complex political/ cultural environments Previous experience implementing grant funded projects in Lao PDR or other countries in South or South East Asia Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and CV. Deadline: 8 SEPTEMBER 2017