Job Description

Job Title: Project Manager Location: Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire Contract Duration: 12 months, with the possibility of extension Reporting to: Programme Manager Travel: Domestic or international travel may be required (5-10%)

Position Summary: An INGO is seeking a Project Manager to oversee the successful delivery of education reform projects. This role involves managing resources and ensuring that deliverables are completed to quality, cost, and time standards as specified in the contract, aiming to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Manage Project Documentation, Scope, and Deliverables

   • Monitor and actively manage project scope, containing scope creep and negotiating variations as required
   • Manage the completion and effective handover of deliverables as defined in the contract
   • Maintain organized and controlled project documentation, in line with standard practices

2. Plan the Project and Monitor and Report Delivery Performance

   • Contribute to contract or bid development to advise on deliverability and high-level planning
   • Produce robust, achievable plans for the projects and ensure the commitment of all engaged parties to achieve them
   • Monitor progress against the plan and take corrective actions or escalate to ensure plans are delivered
   • Provide timely, transparent reporting to inform on all aspects of project performance and risks

3. Establish Effective Project Governance and Project Organization

   • Set up and facilitate both internal and external governance to support effective decision-making
   • Ensure clarity of project organization and roles

4. Operate Robust Project Controls

   • Ensure controls are operated in accordance with good project practice and project management methodology to meet stakeholder requirements
   • Set and manage budgets, forecasts, control expenditure, contingencies, and timely processing of purchase orders and invoices
   • Establish and operate controls for managing quality, working with technical SMEs to manage the submission of all deliverables
   • Actively manage and report project risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle

5. Manage Resources and Staffing

   • Arrange the supply of external suppliers for the project in line with project plans and scope of work
   • Manage procurement of external resources including timely processing of procurement deliverables and approvals
   • Ensure alignment with project scope and that all project resources have clear terms of reference
   • Lead and motivate the project team, ensuring they are engaged and kept up to date on project needs and priorities

6. Manage Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

   • Plan and manage project communications both internally and externally
   • Manage client interactions, ensuring a positive experience and collaboration on delivery matters
   • Engage with internal and external stakeholders to enable successful project delivery

Day-to-Day Management:

• Planning and chairing of project-specific meetings and working groups
• Input to Project or Programme Steering Group
• Recording and implementing agreed decisions and actions
• Creation and management of key business and project documents including project plans, business cases, project reports, and issues and risks registers
• Forward planning and managing budgeted expenditure and staff resourcing
• Appropriate communication with all key stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or related experience
• PRINCE2 practitioner (or equivalent relevant qualification or experience)

Skills:

• Good knowledge and experience in working with formal Project Management methodologies such as PRINCE2 and Agile
• Well-developed project management and organization skills
• Proactive strategic thinker, able to challenge constructively
• Ability to identify and manage risk proactively
• Strong presentation, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to find innovative ways of solving or pre-empting problems
• Understanding of the international education reform marketplace
• Knowledge or experience in working with digital workflows, web technologies, and digital platforms
• Understanding of digital learning and online education
• Advanced level of written and spoken English and French

Experience:

• At least 7 years’ experience in project management in the education or assessment sectors
• Proven track record of managing complex, large, and/or international projects for demanding clients
• Experience in communicating effectively and persuasively with a range of stakeholders at all levels within an organization

Working Pattern: The job will generally involve work during normal office hours. The job does not have fixed working patterns. Levels of workload are dependent on the status of particular projects, although the post holder will be expected to identify and prioritize as needed.