Project Manager Consultant ARC/EU funded projects at World Food Programme

DURATION: 11 months, with possibility of extension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

African Risk Capacity (ARC) is a Specialised Agency of the African Union (AU). The ARC Agency leads the ARC Group, a development finance institution that provides financial tools and infrastructure to help countries manage natural disaster risk and adapt to climate change. To date, ARC has 34 Member States and is managed by the World Food Programme (WFP) through an Administrative Services Agreement until 2024.

In 2014, ARC launched its initial risk insurance product for member states through its financial affiliate the ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) with a USD 200 million initial capital commitment provided by the governments of Germany (through KfW on behalf of BMZ) and the United Kingdom (DFID). ARC Ltd is a mutual insurance company and Africa's first ever disaster insurance pool, aggregating risk by issuing insurance policies to participating governments and transferring it to the international market. ARC Ltd is a mutual insurance facility comprised of its members (Member States with an active insurance policy) and its capital contributors.

ARC is a new member of the Global Network Against Food Crises, an alliance of humanitarian and development actors founded by the European Commission for International Cooperation and Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) at the first World Humanitarian Summit in 2016. The overall objective of the alliance is to tackle the root causes of food crises through increased sharing of analysis and knowledge and strengthened coordination to promote collective efforts across the Humanitarian, Development and Peace nexus.

Within this framework, ARC was allocated a contribution to support the implementation of the 3-year project “Strengthening Disaster Risk Management capacity to build resilience to climate shocks in African fragile countries” and the active participation of ARC in the Global Network.

ARC is therefore looking for a project manager to lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the project, ensuring its optimal operational follow-up.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE

As a Project Manager, the consultant will be the point-of-contact and oversee the implementation of the project. He/she will be responsible for the overall management and efficient running of the project through planning, implementation and technical expertise, monitoring progress and ensuring proper evaluation of outputs, outcomes and impacts, financial accountability and technical reporting.

The consultant must have in-depth knowledge and understanding of EU regulations, excellent and proven project management skills including planning, execution, monitoring, reporting, financial management and capacity building.

The Project Manager will be responsible for delivering all programme outcomes on time, within budget and of high standards and quality.

Under the overall supervision of the Acting Director of Policy and Technical Services (PTS), the Project Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plan project activities, ensuring detailed project implementation plans are in place, and effectively implemented as scheduled;
• Lead the successful implementation of the project deliverables;
• Develop and manage an implementation timetable for the project, to ensure delivery of project targets to a high quality and within the contracted timeframe and budget;
• Track progress against project objectives, ensuring full completion as per project logframe;
• Ensure effective systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of project delivery are in place;
• Ensure quality reporting of project achievements and documenting of best practices and lessons learnt in the course of implementation;
• Coordinate activities related to funding (progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports;
• Develop and oversee implementation of comprehensive and cost-effective project visibility and communication strategies;
• Prepare TORs for recruitment of consultants to undertake studies related to the project and
• Perform other duties as required.

EDUCATION:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, natural sciences or a related field. 
• Project management qualification would be an added advantage.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project, planning or project management, administration or related area is required.
• A minimum of 3 years in project management at an international level is required.
• Experience in managing EU-funded projects is required
• Good knowledge of UN system rules and regulations and procedures is desirable.
• Good knowledge of AU system and RECs would be an advantage.
• Practical experience in Disaster Risk Management or Food Security in developing countries would be an advantage.

COMPETENCIES:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Exceptional organisational skills and high attention to detail
• Excellent skills in stakeholder management, negotiation, communication, report-writing and delivering quality products on time
• Excellent command of MS Office suite tools
• Excellent teamwork skills, ability to work effectively with dynamic and diverse staff and independently
• Proven capacity in partnership/network building, project management
• Good understanding of the international humanitarian aid, donor and development communities
• Ability to cope with tight deadlines
• Written and spoken fluency in French and English

Deadline for applications: 19 June 2020

Ref.: VA No. 122851