Project Manager Rooted in Diversity (RiD): Partnership for food security and Livelihoods project job at Participatory Ecological Land Use Management ( PELUM ) Uganda

Background

Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda is seeking to fill the position of Project Manager Rooted in Diversity (RiD): Partnership for food security and Livelihoods project at the Country Secretariat Office in Kampala – Uganda. As part of a strong Regional Network of over 220 civil Society organizations spread out in 12 countries in East, Central and Southern Africa PELUM Uganda works to improve the livelihoods of small holder farmers and the sustainability of farming communities by fostering ecological land use management. Since 1995, PELUM Uganda has been sharing skills and knowledge about ecological Land use practices and techniques working with a broad network of likeminded organizations; undertaking research and demonstration projects and advocating for policies that better support small holder farmers with a vision of empowering communities in Uganda to sustainably utilize their natural resources.

RiD is a 5-year project co-designed by a consortium of farmer associations, Civil Society Organisations and Agricultural Research Organizations across 3 countries i.e. Uganda, Malawi and Niger with funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), Department of Climate Change and Environment; Section for food. The project is intended to enhance local knowledge, skills and capacities of small-scale food producers to improve food production and consumption in highly variable and poorly predictable agroecologies premised on the understanding that agrobiodiversity is the best way to promote food and nutrition security and adapt to the unpredictable weather conditions. The project will also work towards positively impacting systemic change towards appreciation of the roles of small-scale food producers and their organisations in combating food insecurity in the context of climate change by challenging power structures and relationships that underlie policies and practices around seed and food systems through sharing proven methodologies, previous experiences and linkages, documentation of learning processes and successful approaches for policy advice towards agrobiodiversity, seed and farmer’s rights.

The project focus and impact areas include; Local biodiversity management intended to build research agendas and capacities on participatory plant breeding while improving food storage and stimulating demand for marketing, Local value chains of agrobiodiverse products through dissemination of high quality seed of locally adapted varieties and support local value chains for agrobiodiverse products for stronger market linkages and access for farmer organisations; Innovative Farmer-researcher partnerships to build new ways of farmer researcher collaboration for increased seed and food systems research and Collaborative environment for policy change to influence policy reforms through evidence based advocacy. The project is being implemented in arid and semi-arid zones across Niger (Maradi, Dosso and Tillaberi regions), Malawi (Dowa and Nkhotakota districts) and Uganda ( Kalaki, Amuru, Serere, Iganga) due to the similar agroecosystems and crops, vulnerability to climate shocks largely increased by reliance on subsistence agriculture.

Responsibilities

The Job Purpose is to coordinate and manage the daily operations of the RiD project, facilitate information flow between the different project stakeholders to ensure successful project implementation. The Job holder will lead a project team and work collaboratively with other consortium implementing teams, partners and allies. The Project Manager will be based in Kampala- Uganda at the PELUM Uganda Secretariat. The job holder will also be expected to travel to other project implementing countries from time to time.

The Job Summary is that the Job holder will manage the RiD project by providing technical guidance. S/he will be responsible for ensuring efficient and effective implementation of all the related project activities. This position belongs to the RiD Project Management Unit.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

1.0 Project Coordination and implementation:

• Coordinate with the project Country Implementing Teams (CITs) to implement and monitor project deliverables as per agreed workplans.
• Coordinate the development of workplans, setting targets for implementation and spearhead project plan reviews and monitoring.
• Provide leadership for the effective and efficient management of the project in line with the NORAD project agreement and requirements.
• Coordinate project documentation and review reports and budgets to track progress and project quality and set strategies for effective implementation in line with the donor requirements to inform decision making.

2.0 Stakeholder management & Engagement:

• Ensure that joint planning, budgeting, and reporting are conducted timely and to quality.
• Nurture and maintain a robust, honest, and transparent relationship with project partners.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and strategic relationships with civil society partners, governments, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent and effective information flow between the Steering Group, Project Management Unit, Implementing partner organisations and allies.
• Coordinate and organize partner meetings, Steering Group meetings and Technical Working Group engagements, ensuring that agreed actions are implemented.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government bodies and officials, and international donors.

3.0 Project Monitoring, Learning and Communication:

• Ensure an overall monitoring and evaluation plan is in place for the project and implemented.
• Establish adequate systems to gather evidence and learnings and partners understanding of project impact and barriers to delivery to inform course correction.
• Work with the M&E Advisors and Consortium members on the analysis of data, reporting, learning, and sharing.
• Review monitoring and evaluation reports, partner narrative reports, and other internal and external resources to inform project delivery.
• Ensure that project objectives on gender equality, climate change, partnerships and localization are upheld and contribute to learning and development.
• Ensure quality and consistency by setting and adhering to appropriate standards for project implementation in compliance with the consortium and NORAD quality standards.
• Monitor project risks and take relevant mitigation and corrective measures in consultation with Country Implementation Teams (CITs) and Steering Group.

4.0 Human Resource Management:

• Participate in the recruitment of relevant project teams.
• Support establishment of relevant Human Resource support systems for efficient project delivery.
• Review and evaluate project staff performance in line with established guidelines and policies and as per donor requirements and expectations.
• Supervise Project officers.
• Ensure that relevant technical expertise and capacity strengthening support is available to project staff and partners.

5.0 Project Financial Management:

• Provide oversight and accountability for financial decisions and activities of the project.
• Work with budget holders and finance staff of the Country Implementing Teams and ensure that all activities and expenditures are conducted within budget allocations.
• Monitor project expenditure, prepare budget revisions and forecasts, review financial data and ensure timely financial reporting to the donor, in line with the project agreement provisions.
• Ensure that project narrative reports are completed and submitted timely alongside the financial reports.
• Work closely with the Head of Programmes to provide advice, assistance and training on financial matters to programme team to enable them better manage the financial aspects of the project.

6.0 Representation, Networking and Partnerships.

• Participate in the organisation’s other key institutional events such as the country working group, related events and fora.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships relevant for the project.
• Regular communication and information sharing with strategic partners in liaison with the Country Coordinator.

7.0 Other Key Responsibilities:

• Lead in the identification of project risks and proactively work with partners to mitigate risk factors against partnership and project delivery plans.
• Coordinate the meetings of the project steering Group and ensure that action points agreed during the meetings are followed through. Act as the secretary of the Steering Group.
• Uphold project and partnership principles in the project, problem solving and where needed providing the space to escalate conflicts to the Steering Group.
• Adhere to the set policies and procedures and effectively communicate them to project teams to ensure that they are upheld.

Additional Employee Expectations:

• To adhere to our organizational values and to actively promote their application amongst colleagues.
• To undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative fashion.
• Participate in relevant organisational, meetings and fora.
• Participate in raising resources for building PELUM's reserves.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in a gender sensitive manner.
• Adhere to PELUM's policies, procedures, and performance expectations in all functions.
• To identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization (whether directly linked to one's job or not).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in project management, Natural Resources Management, Development Studies or other relevant field, or training from recognized institutions.
• Knowledge/Training in Agroecology is required.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex, regional projects at a scale preferably EU funded.
• Minimum seven years of progressive professional work experience in different capacities with local and international NGOs and representing partnerships towards donors.
• Proven experience of programming in natural resource management, climate resilient agriculture, and/or youth and women’s rights programming at a community, national and international levels.
• Sound experience and progressive management of consortium and project management.
• Experience in providing mentoring and support to a range of actors.
• Understanding of financial management procedures, budget monitoring, and donor reporting.
• Sound knowledge of civil society dynamics and their role in addressing food security systems, gender and climate change challenges.
• Demonstrable experience in working with partners in sustainable ways that reflect power-sharing, accompaniment and mutual respect.
• Familiarity with or experience in working on Agroecological approaches and principles.

Key competencies

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstratable report writing, presentation, and facilitation skills in English.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in complex project settings.
• Ability to link project work to policy and advocacy processes at various levels.
• Ability to think critically, strategically, and innovatively to improve project delivery.
• Ability to drive for solutions and to suggest ways to achieve better results.
• Ability to take intelligent risks to drive thought leadership, individual and/or organizational performance.
• Commitment to adaptive programming and working in partnership based on mutual values and respect.

Personal qualities

• Ability to think and operate strategically and creatively. Flexible, self-starter, team player and with attention to detail.
• Proactive. Continuous improvement mindset. Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills. Open to change and ability to work in a transitional and complex organizational structure
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to PELUM's mandate. Ability to multitask. Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively and delegate.
• Ability to communicate in French language will be an added advantage.

Management skills

Strong experience in leading and managing projects. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various internal and external stakeholders. Team player with positive attitude, flexible mind, and good coaching and motivational skills. Ability to inspire confidence and create trust. Managerial and supervisory skills.

Communication and Interpersonal skills

Ability to understand new issues quickly and make wise decisions. Strong coaching skills and ability to provide effective feedback. Comfortable working in multi-cultural settings. Strong Writing skills. Effective interpersonal skills to work with colleagues, stakeholders, and donors. Proven negotiation skills.

• Coordinate with the project Country Implementing Teams (CITs) to implement and monitor project deliverables as per agreed workplans.
• Coordinate the development of workplans, setting targets for implementation and spearhead project plan reviews and monitoring.
• Provide leadership for the effective and efficient management of the project in line with the NORAD project agreement and requirements.
• Coordinate project documentation and review reports and budgets to track progress and project quality and set strategies for effective implementation in line with the donor requirements to inform decision making.
• Ensure that joint planning, budgeting, and reporting are conducted timely and to quality.
• Nurture and maintain a robust, honest, and transparent relationship with project partners.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and strategic relationships with civil society partners, governments, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent and effective information flow between the Steering Group, Project Management Unit, Implementing partner organisations and allies.
• Coordinate and organize partner meetings, Steering Group meetings and Technical Working Group engagements, ensuring that agreed actions are implemented.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government bodies and officials, and international donors.
• Ensure an overall monitoring and evaluation plan is in place for the project and implemented.
• Establish adequate systems to gather evidence and learnings and partners understanding of project impact and barriers to delivery to inform course correction.
• Work with the M&E Advisors and Consortium members on the analysis of data, reporting, learning, and sharing.
• Review monitoring and evaluation reports, partner narrative reports, and other internal and external resources to inform project delivery.
• Ensure that project objectives on gender equality, climate change, partnerships and localization are upheld and contribute to learning and development.
• Ensure quality and consistency by setting and adhering to appropriate standards for project implementation in compliance with the consortium and NORAD quality standards.
• Monitor project risks and take relevant mitigation and corrective measures in consultation with Country Implementation Teams (CITs) and Steering Group.
• Participate in the recruitment of relevant project teams.
• Support establishment of relevant Human Resource support systems for efficient project delivery.
• Review and evaluate project staff performance in line with established guidelines and policies and as per donor requirements and expectations.
• Supervise Project officers.
• Ensure that relevant technical expertise and capacity strengthening support is available to project staff and partners.
• Provide oversight and accountability for financial decisions and activities of the project.
• Work with budget holders and finance staff of the Country Implementing Teams and ensure that all activities and expenditures are conducted within budget allocations.
• Monitor project expenditure, prepare budget revisions and forecasts, review financial data and ensure timely financial reporting to the donor, in line with the project agreement provisions.
• Ensure that project narrative reports are completed and submitted timely alongside the financial reports.
• Work closely with the Head of Programmes to provide advice, assistance and training on financial matters to programme team to enable them better manage the financial aspects of the project.
• Participate in the organisation’s other key institutional events such as the country working group, related events and fora.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships relevant for the project.
• Regular communication and information sharing with strategic partners in liaison with the Country Coordinator.
• Lead in the identification of project risks and proactively work with partners to mitigate risk factors against partnership and project delivery plans.
• Coordinate the meetings of the project steering Group and ensure that action points agreed during the meetings are followed through. Act as the secretary of the Steering Group.
• Uphold project and partnership principles in the project, problem solving and where needed providing the space to escalate conflicts to the Steering Group.
• Adhere to the set policies and procedures and effectively communicate them to project teams to ensure that they are upheld.
• To adhere to our organizational values and to actively promote their application amongst colleagues.
• To undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative fashion.
• Participate in relevant organisational, meetings and fora.
• Participate in raising resources for building PELUM's reserves.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in a gender sensitive manner.
• Adhere to PELUM's policies, procedures, and performance expectations in all functions.
• To identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization (whether directly linked to one's job or not).

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex, regional projects at a scale preferably EU funded.
• Minimum seven years of progressive professional work experience in different capacities with local and international NGOs and representing partnerships towards donors.
• Proven experience of programming in natural resource management, climate resilient agriculture, and/or youth and women’s rights programming at a community, national and international levels.
• Sound experience and progressive management of consortium and project management.
• Experience in providing mentoring and support to a range of actors.
• Understanding of financial management procedures, budget monitoring, and donor reporting.
• Sound knowledge of civil society dynamics and their role in addressing food security systems, gender and climate change challenges.
• Demonstrable experience in working with partners in sustainable ways that reflect power-sharing, accompaniment and mutual respect.
• Familiarity with or experience in working on Agroecological approaches and principles.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstratable report writing, presentation, and facilitation skills in English.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in complex project settings.
• Ability to link project work to policy and advocacy processes at various levels.
• Ability to think critically, strategically, and innovatively to improve project delivery.
• Ability to drive for solutions and to suggest ways to achieve better results.
• Ability to take intelligent risks to drive thought leadership, individual and/or organizational performance.
• Commitment to adaptive programming and working in partnership based on mutual values and respect.
• Ability to think and operate strategically and creatively. Flexible, self-starter, team player and with attention to detail.
• Proactive. Continuous improvement mindset. Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills. Open to change and ability to work in a transitional and complex organizational structure
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to PELUM's mandate. Ability to multitask. Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively and delegate.
• Ability to communicate in French language will be an added advantage.
• Strong experience in leading and managing projects.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Team player with positive attitude, flexible mind, and good coaching and motivational skills.
• Ability to inspire confidence and create trust.
• Managerial and supervisory skills.
• Ability to understand new issues quickly and make wise decisions.
• Strong coaching skills and ability to provide effective feedback.
• Comfortable working in multi-cultural settings.
• Strong Writing skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills to work with colleagues, stakeholders, and donors.
• Proven negotiation skills.

• Master’s degree in project management, Natural Resources Management, Development Studies or other relevant field, or training from recognized institutions.
• Knowledge/Training in Agroecology is required.