Purpose of the position

The Project Manager – DRIVE, with support from the Programme Manager West Nile, is responsible for oversight of the RVO funded DRIVE project. He/she will collaboratively work with partner staff, and other ZOA team members to successfully deliver the project. The PM is responsible to ensure excellence in implementation of the project in terms of impact, and timeliness, networking and coordination, maintain good relationship with relevant stakeholders (including the private sector), adherence to ZOA policy and guidelines, ensure timely reporting and documentation and that spending is in line with the approved budget.

**Contracting for this position is dependent on signing of the final funding agreement with the donor. The project is expected to start 1st August 2024**

Project specific details:

The DRIVE project’s overall objective is to achieve a resilient local food system in West Nile region by enhancing productivity and production by smallholder farmers including women and youth, using climate smart agroecological practices and sustainable land/water management practices and increasing the participation of smallholder farmers including women and youth in profitable local and regional markets. DRIVE will use the Participatory Integrated Plan (PIP) approach to support farmer and household behavior change.

The project runs for 36 months. The project is implemented in Terego and Madi Okollo Districts. The PM will supervise 4 Project Officers (POs). There is one local implementing partner and one technical partner.

Responsibilities

Project planning and implementation:

• Lead in project planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of progress in line with donor and ZOA requirements.
• Oversee the implementation of activities as described in the project proposal and plan
• Conduct regular meetings and direct day-to-day supervisions of the field staff and PIP Innovators (PIs) to ensure the project is on track towards meeting the work plan requirements, ensuring targets and deliverables are completed by established deadlines.
• Facilitate the adaptation of existing PIP trainers’ manual to West Nile context and tailor PIP practices to respective agro-ecological needs and farmers needs across the two districts
• Oversee the startup of PIP creation and its scale up from generation to generation
• Ensure that there is a cross learning among PIP farmers within and across districts especially from sub counties that are advanced with PIP implementation
• In collaboration with the POs, support the design and set up experimental plots or IPPs (experiments/validation/comparative) with clear objectives, parameters for observation and protocols for analysis.
• Facilitate capacity building for Project Officers, PIs and relevant district and sub county staff in PIP methodology operationalization.
• Organise joint planning and monitoring with local partner, PALM Corps and when required, local government stakeholders

Reporting and Knowledge Management, MEAL

• Organize monitoring and data recording systems of activities in the project in coordination with MEAL colleagues, and ensure timely data collection and entry
• Write and submit comprehensive and quality reports, specific activity reports and any other reports when necessary in a timely manner
• Organize project monthly, quarterly and annual reviews meetings to track progress towards project objectives, adherence to PIP approach quality standard and processes
• Monitor the context and carry out adjustments to project plans and management on an on-going basis in light of changing context, resources, and opportunities.
• Take lead in documentation and sharing of Impact, success stories and best practices to promote learning.

Representation and coordination

• Actively participate in all relevant technical working group meetings conducted at district and settlement level, and ensure good information sharing with the wider ZOA team
• Develop and maintain strong relationships within and outside the DRIVE project including with the relevant government offices, the private sector and research/knowledge institutions
• Develop and maintain strong coordination with partners

Team Management and Human Resources

• Ensure the project team has clear objectives, with weekly and monthly targets, to ensure quality implementation of project outputs and outcomes, with regular face to face meetings.
• Contribute to the recruitment of well-qualified project staff, reviewing the job descriptions, participating in job interviews.
• Ensure that POs are conversant with their job description, ZOA’s internal regulations, standards, policies and donor regulations.
• Supervise and carry out periodical evaluation of the performance of POs against established performance objectives in a timely manner.
• Ensure capacity building on key project concepts and approaches with support from ZOA’s Programme Quality department and/or other ZOA and partner staff; recommends strategic training opportunities for the team.
• Ensure effective leave management within the project team, in liaison with the field Finance and Administration Associate Manager.

Finance and procurement

• Use ZOA’s ERP system to track and maintain oversight of project expenditure (including partner finances), regularly monitors expenditure to ensure spending is made in line with the budget.
• Ensure timely initiation of procurement requests and follow up on progress.
• Ensure full utilization of the budget, and timely adjustments and communication with the finance team to ensure good budget management.

Accountability

• Sensitize all stakeholders (participants, service providers, partners, government and other) on feedback and complaint mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda.
• Upon receipt of a complaint or feedback, ensure that it is correctly documented following correct reporting procedures.
• Work closely with MEAL team to ensure regular analysis of feedback and complaints registered to inform the program of changes in operational trends and context to help in improving the intervention and adaptive management.

Requirements

Knowledge & Experience:

• Degree in agricultural sciences, development, or other relevant field; A master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years successful project cycle management experience in a similar position.
• Experience managing large programmes for INGOs and with institutional donors is an added advantage.
• Having led a project in partnership with a local NGO is an added advantage.
• Excellent spoken and written command of English.

Skills:

• Participative leadership with clear command of overall operations.
• Sensitive towards HRM and organizational issues.
• Good communication, writing and facilitation skills.
• Innovative, creative and enthusiastic.
• Good computer skills: Excel, Word, SharePoint.
• Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to ride a motorbike in field conditions, and holding a valid driving license, is an added advantage.
• Language skills in relevant local languages in West Nile is an added advantage.

Attitude:

• High level of personal integrity
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Able to work under pressures and meet deadlines.
• Able to work in a sometimes fluid and insecure environment.
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Salary and other terms of employment

The PM will be based at the ZOA West Nile office in Arua. regular field visits to the project locations in Terego and Madio Okollo as well as other districts in the region are anticipated, which may necessitate overnight stays. Visits to Kampala and other ZOA programme locations may also be requested for coordination, training and learning. The postholder is expected to regularly ride a motorcycle in rural conditions/on unmade roads.

The role is 1.0 FTE (40 hrs/ week). Working hours are outlined in the ZOA Uganda Employee Handbook. Some flexibility on working hours may be required, e.g. for travel at weekends, or during reporting times.

The role is recruited at Grade M.1a in the ZOA Uganda 2024 salary scale. This scale starts at UGX 4,200,000 gross/month, and salary will be offered based on experience and qualifications.