Context

Search for Common Ground (Search) is a non-governmental organization based in Washington DC and Brussels that works for conflict transformation on a global scale. Over its 40 years of experience, the organization has developed and consolidated a specific vision called the Common Ground Approach, which is based on the following two principles: (1) conflict is inevitable, but violence is not; (2) change is always possible, and it is sustainable when everyone wins.

Search's work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is part of this global vision. Search has been working in the DRC since 2001, implementing programmes that promote peaceful dialogue, social cohesion, good governance and accountability and protection, always with a focus on youth engagement. Relying on a wide range of methodological tools (training, mediation, community mobilization, communication through the media and participatory theater) and in close collaboration with local stakeholders, Search's presence is established in the provinces of Ituri, Nord Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Kasai, Haut Ubangi and Kinshasa.

Search is implementing a program “Engagement des Organizations de la Société Civile (OSCs) de l'Est de la RDC dans l'approche du pouvoir de l'espace civique”, a 36-month project that aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society to promote democracy and improve inclusive governance, gender equality and political participation of women and youth in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Implemented in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika and Kinshasa, and in its 2nd year of implementation, Search is seeking an experienced Project Manager with strong coordination, communication and project and budget management skills, to manage, supervise and guide the effective and high-quality implementation of activities in support of the project's programmatic vision. The incumbent should be able to work with multiple partners and in multiple provinces, as well as have a strong technical background in local and inclusive governance and civil society organization (CSO) engagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or similar contexts

Summary Responsibility of Program Implementation Team

The Program Implementation team, which is overseen and led by project-specific Program Manager, is responsible for ensuring the effective and timely implementation of Search’s programs and projects in its country offices, in accordance with Search and donor policies and procedures. The Program Implementation team works on the full life-cycle of the project, from the start-up phase to the full close-out. This involves designing work plans, implementing activities, reporting, financial management, and staffing management The Program Implementation team collaborates with other departments, including Finance, Institutional Learning, Programs, Global Affairs and Partnerships, Human Resources, and Information Technology

Type and Nature of Contacts

• Routinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.
• Represents, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.
• Interacts with the country office and regional staff.

Education and Experience

• Typically BS/BA with a minimum of 9 years experience.
• Has understanding and previous experience in governance programming, including in the development and execution of advocacy plans.
• Speaks and writes fluently in French and English.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel to different project locations at least 30% of the time.

Supervisory and Budget Responsibility

• May supervise one or more staff members.

Responsibilities of the Project Manager

• Provide oversight and leadership to ensure effective and timely project implementation
• Oversees and coordinates all processes associated with project implementation and budget management
• Manages internal and external relations related to the project implementation, including colleagues within his team and other departments supporting the project, and third party actors such as donors, local authorities, and technical service providers respectively

Contributions

Project Management tools. Ensures the development, finalization, coordination, analyses, updating and follow up and monitoring of project management tools, including costed-activity work plans and spend-out plans; support in finalizing and monitoring the logic frame and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan

Financial management: ensure project financial health; review General Ledger (GL) (i.e. list of expenses) to ensure the proper allocation of spending and updating of the BVA; lead Monthly Program Team Management (PMT) meetings based on the updated BvA and lead on necessary analyses of planned vs effectuated activities and spending to inform realistic activity and expenditure planning; ensure budget revisions are done and that donor approval is timely sought where needed.

Project activities: design project activities (e.g., objectives and structure of activities); lead and/or deliver project activities; coordinate with trainers where appropriate, and collaborate with the M&E, Research and Learning Department in the design and delivery of project activities to ensure quality and the appropriate integration of learning in decision making

Reporting: coordinate inputs, review and finalize; project documents (e.g., presentations, and agenda); donor reports; monthly and activity reports; and support country finance team (CFT) in producing a financial report

Compliance: coordinates with the appropriate country management team member in ensuring project, finance, and logistics staff follow donor rules/regulations; ensure donor compliance; leads capacity-building sessions to streamline rules and regulations

Procurement: develop, finalize and ensure the regular updating of the project procurement plan in coordination with the logistics team to ensure program needs are effectively responded to.

Subaward Management: Provide technical review of partner documents; lead communication with partner management team; oversee partner work plan and key deliverables; lead in partner capacity assessment/plan and partner selection; Ensure necessary training and coaching is provided to the partner in order to be performant.

Staff management: Create the conditions for a team that is high performing, well informed, and cohesive

• Lead in staff capacity-building and identifying learning/growth opportunities
• Create opportunities for cross-learning and ensure all project staff is clear about the project’s overall objectives, and individual roles and responsibilities
• Coordinate with the Country Manager (CM) or Country Director (CD) in the development of the project staffing plan;
• Lead on all recruitment needs for his/her project in coordination with HR
• Manage staff members accordingly and ensure staff performance evaluations are systematically done ;

External engagement: Establish constructive relations and maintain regular communication with donors (e.g., 4 corner meetings, reporting, etc.); local authorities and partners facilitate approvals; Clarify the gouvernance structure and ensure regular check-in meetings with the partner leadership.

Program management, quality and project design: Coordinate with the Monitoring & Evaluation, Research and Learning Team (MERL), Grants Management System (GMS), and Senior Management Team, including the Country Director

Note and record lessons learned via donor reports

• Ensure the project is led by a clear vision toward achieving an impact
• Conducts regular field visits to enable the most appropriate accompaniment of the team, within the vision of full compliance and the highest impact
• Ensure reviews and reflection sessions lead to an adaptive work plan
• Make sure that approved Search methodologies are utilized
• Coordinate with Global Affairs & Partnerships Program Development team, as needed
• Upon request, participate in fundraising and networking meetings
• Provide inputs to the Country Program’s strategy development and planning related to the technical area of work

Technical review of strategy and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for their team to ensure alignment with the mission OKRs

Infuses Organizational Values into all work and ensures compliance with the organizations principles of the Code of Conduct and Safeguarding

Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
• Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
• Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Search teams and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
• Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision-makers to a favorable outcome.
• Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
• Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
• Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.