Description
JOB POSTING
Project Manager
Improving the Flow of Ecosystem Services in Biologically-rich
Watersheds of the Southern Region of Haiti
(BIODIVERSITY SOUTH)
Les Cayes, Haiti
Heifer Project International is seeking qualified applicants for a Project Manager position for a GEF-funded project in Haiti.
Background:
Heifer International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit international organization committed to end hunger and poverty around the world and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 39 million families around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income.
Project Summary:
Heifer International is partnering with UNDP and the Ministry of Environment of Haiti to implement the Improving the Flow of Ecosystem Services in Biologically-rich Watersheds of the Southern Region of Haiti (BIODIVERSITY SOUTH) which begins in January 2023. The project aims to restore biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services, which underpin livelihood in southern Haiti. This will be done by combining land restoration and sustainable management of critical watersheds with the improvement and diversification of agriculture. The project will specifically target the production of commodities that can be produced within biodiversity-rich agroforestry systems, like cocoa and coffee. It will support the processing and commercialization of these products as well to ensure increased income for local communities. The project is aligned with Global Environment Facility’s GEF-7 BD1-1 focal area1 (mainstream biodiversity across sectors as well as landscapes and seascapes through biodiversity mainstreaming in priority sectors), as well as with Haiti’s environmental objectives.
Position Summary:
The Project Manager will oversee all aspects of technical, financial management, and administration of the project in the Southern region of Haiti. This includes including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, responsible parties, consultants, and sub-contractors and assuring full compliance with donor and Heifer International administrative, financial, and procurement procedures. He/she will work with the country staff, home office and donor to adjust staffing and resources as the project evolves.
The Project Manager reports to the Senior Program Manager. He/she will be located in Les Cayes,
Primary Responsibilities:
· Manage the overall conduct of the project.
· Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved workplan.
· Execute activities by managing personnel, goods and services, training and low-value grants, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing all contractors’ work.
· Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring plan, and update the plan as required.
· Provide support for completion of assessments required by Heifer and UNDP, spot checks and audits.
· Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
· Monitor progress, watch for plan deviations and make course corrections when needed within project board-agreed tolerances to achieve results.
· Ensure that changes are controlled, and problems addressed.
· Perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed with the board, including measures to address challenges and opportunities.
· Prepare and submit financial reports to Heifer and UNDP on a quarterly basis.
· Manage and monitor the project risks – including social and environmental risks – initially identified and submit new risks to the Project Board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
· Prepare revisions to the multi-year workplan, as needed, as well as annual and quarterly plans if required.
· Supervise project assistant and other team members.
· Ensure that the indicators included in the project results framework are monitored annually in advance of the GEF PIR submission deadline so that progress can be reported in the GEF PIR.
· Prepare the GEF PIR.
· Assess major and minor amendments to the project within the parameters set by UNDP-GEF.
· Monitor implementation plans including the gender action plan (with support from the gender expert), stakeholder engagement plan, and any environmental and social management plans (with support from the E&S Officer).
· Monitor and track progress against the GEF Core and Heifer indicators.
· Support the Mid-term review and Terminal Evaluation process.
· Support organization of the PSC
· Attend all board meetings and support board processes as a non-voting representative as designated by the Country Director.
· Work closely with the Project Executive to develop and execute project workplans.
· Liaise with local government to ensure visibility and representation of project activities.
· As needed, serve as a technical liaison with UNDP, government representatives, the private sector, and other implementing partners to ensure visibility and representation of the Biodiversity South activities.
· Other duties as assigned by supervisor, based on organizational need and availability.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
· An undergraduate degree (e.g. BA/BS) in project management, environmental sciences, agriculture sciences, international development, economics, business management, rural development, or another relevant field.
· A minimum of 10 years of relevant senior management experience in managing agricultural or environmental development programs with a focus on biodiversity in Haiti. Experience working in Southern Haiti is a plus.
· Proven leadership skills building and managing cooperative, high-level relationships and motivating diverse teams, in remote management and in complex environments.
· Experience and/or technical knowledge in designing and managing development projects and activities, particularly related to the environment.
· Experience with implementing activities in resilience programs in direct support of project beneficiaries and rural communities.
· Proven capacity to collaborate across projects, be flexible, and creative and successfully lead an intercultural team in development and post-conflict contexts.
· Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
· Excellent interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills.
· Fluency or proficiency in oral and written French and Haitian Creole.
· Fluency in English is a plus.
· Knowledge and experience of GEF rules, regulations, and reporting.
· Experience of working with other international development and financing agencies
Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:
· Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment. Must be flexible and able to improvise to handle a variety of situations.
· Ability to effectively supervise, delegate, mentor, and train individuals and teams using participatory methodologies. Strong facilitation skills preferred.
· Ability to build and maintain relationships with community members, local authorities, and beneficiaries.
· Strong interpersonal skills in a changing environment, with the ability to effectively influence others positively.
· Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
· Constant visit to the fields and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
· Constant face-to-face and digital communication with colleagues and stakeholders.
· Ability and willingness to travel internationally and domestically as needed; adequate physical condition necessary for travel to project sites in remote areas.
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.