JOB PURPOSE

The Project Manager, Policy Programs & Implementation (PPI) will oversee, drive and manage the PPI projects or related projects to achieve the organization’s objectives and meet funder expectations.

ACCOUNTABILITIES / KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

• Develop project management tools and trackers as needed to ensure systematic and clear overview of project activities, budget and results framework is available to ensure effective project management.
• Ensure project deliverables and budget are incorporated accurately in the AFI corporate plans and budgets.
• Ensure the required deliverables, budgets and results are well understood by delivery units, finance, and other relevant Business Units (BU).
• Drive implementation of projects through AFI’s Delivery Units to ensure targets and deliverables agreed with the funder are achieved.
• Proactively monitor progress of deliverables against workplan, budget, results framework.
• Monitor deliverables to ensure they align with project scope and commitment to funder (prevent scope creep).
• Control and monitor the project budget in close coordination with Finance and Delivery Units to ensure funds are used as per commitment with the funder and identify any changes required to the budget in a timely manner.
• Review and approve changes to budgets assigned to Heads of Departments (HODs) under project.
• Escalate any significant variances or risks to Project Management Office (PMO) in a timely manner. Engage with PMO and relevant HODs to solve problems and address project-related issues.
• Flag and report the need for extensions and modifications in project to PMO and Global Partnership (GP) teams in a timely manner. Prepare budget and workplan revision/modification proposals and requests to funders, in coordination with PMO and GP.

Quality Assurance

• Review and assure quality of project deliverables.
• Ensure all deliverables are aligned with project scope, results framework, and commitments to stakeholders.

Reporting

• Prepare internal reports for PMO, PSC and Executive Team (ET) on results and progress.
• Prepare and submit donor-project reports for PMO and GP review; incorporate comments and submit to ET for approval. All donor reports should be reviewed by respective HODs/supervisors before submission to PMO and GP.
• Manage stakeholders, including presentations and meetings with funders as needed.
• Respond to information requests related to the projects from internal (for example, ET, Communications etc.) as well as external stakeholders (for example, funders) to ensure consistent project information is shared across stakeholders in a timely manner.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Lead in tracking results against agreed results framework and project log frames, in coordination with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and PMO teams.
• Inform M&E on required mid-term reviews and project evaluations during the annual planning exercise.
• Work closely with M&E on completing the required reviews and evaluations in a timely manner.
• Review the final reports. Prepare management response and action plan on recommendations of reviews and evaluations. Escalate issues and concerns.

Communications

• Proactively identify opportunities for strategic communications based on project activities and results.
• Develop and/or review project-related communication materials.

Fundraising:

• Lead in development of concept notes and proposals for funders for which the Project Manager is assigned to them. This includes setting up an internal team to develop the proposals, lead the writing-up of proposal documents with inputs from the team, and submission of notes and proposals to relevant teams in AFI for review and submission of final drafts to GP.
• Participate and contribute to meetings with funders on submitted proposals, as requested by GP.
• Review funder contracts and related documents for assigned projects.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Postgraduate Degree preferably Masters in the areas of economics, finance, social sciences, business studies or related field.
• Minimum eight (8) years of working experience in managing or leading large-scale and complex donor-funded projects.
• Strong technical experience in the areas of financial inclusion, development finance or economic growth.
• Working experience in multicultural and international organizations is strongly preferred.

COMPETENCIES / SKILLS

• Technical expertise relevant to the project – The Project Manager is not responsible for direct delivery of project outputs, but it would be helpful if the incumbent has some degree of knowledge with regards to the various aspects of the assigned project.
• Strong business and project management skills – These include management of workplans, budgets and results frameworks. These are the core responsibilities of the Project Manager, so demonstrated ability to complete projects according to outlined scope, budget, and timeline are important.
• Strong people skills and team player – Delivering AFI projects is a team effort, involving many BUs and employees, hence strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• Resourcefulness and problem-solving abilities – The Project Manager will often be requested to address issues and problems that arise in implementation (for examples, timeline and budget variances). The incumbent should be able to propose practical and workable solutions in such situations.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize – An AFI project has many moving pieces, so an effective Project Manager must be able to handle several tasks at the same time. Time management and ability to prioritize are important. Additionally, agility and flexibility would be needed in taking on additional tasks that add value to project delivery and outcomes.
• Advanced writing and communication skills – These skills are important for producing high-quality reports for funders and representing AFI to internal and external stakeholders.

Interested candidates are invited to apply together with the latest CV and cover letter in English.