Project Manager - PRiFN at TechnoServe

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs, and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Manager - PRiFN

Requisition Number: PROJE004346
Location: Kano
Project: Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria (PRiFN)
Reports to: Deputy Country Director
Job Category: Programs

Job Summary

• The Project Manager will identify and manage internal team members as well as   that will support the implementation of an 18-month project in Kano States, Nigeria.
• S/he will lead the overall implementation and management of the project, including providing oversight of activities, developing work plans, overseeing the project budget, overseeing monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and reporting to the donor on delivery and progress.
• The Project Manager will continuously develop operational efficiencies and drive innovations in delivery. S/he will serve as the primary point of contact with the donor, ensuring that the project meets established objectives and targets.

Program/Practice/Department Overview

• TechnoServe’s Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria (PRiFN) will support two large mills to produce fortified rice that will be channeled through the Home-Grown School Feeding program (HGSFP), targeting 200,000 primary/secondary school children. The overarching goal is to build the capacity of millers to produce fortified rice, while improving the nutrition of school-fed children. 

Primary Functions & Responsibilities
Project Inception Phase:

• Work with the HR team to recruit and onboard project team members.
• Complete a rapid assessment of the selected communities and develop a database of stakeholders playing in the rice value chain in the project geographies, i.e., rice producers, millers/processors, school communities where the HGSFP is taking place.
• Develop the work plan for the entirety of the project, as well as detailed yearly work plans which must be signed off by the Deputy Country Director.
• Support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) officer in developing the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Package and tools.
• Support the procurement of contractors by developing the ToRs/RFPs/EOI as required.
• Drive community entry and sensitization activities using simple and engaging models that encourage and attract buy-in from target beneficiaries and stakeholders in the communities.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Country Director and the Operations lead, develop a procurement plan based on resource requirements for the duration of the project.

Project Implementation Phase:

• Lead the implementation of activities that will achieve all the project targets and milestones.
• Develop a risk register that would capture the risks and mitigations encountered throughout the life of the project
• Ensure that monthly/quarterly/annual reports are submitted to the donor(s) on or before the due date(s)
• Update project work plans monthly and ensure timely implementation of the activities in line with work plans and activity schedules.
• Monitor project budget regularly to ensure that spending is aligned with i) donor’s burn rate expectation and, ii) TechnoServe’s policy of zero spend on non-allowable expenses.
• Work closely with the project MEL specialist as well as the regional MEL advisor to ensure high-quality data for internal programming and reporting purposes.
• Together with the MEL Specialist and communications Specialist, develop a detailed knowledge and communication plan for disseminating learnings and impact to both internal and external audiences.
• Lead the development of the training materials and manage the train-the-trainer sessions.
• Continuous engagement with the relevant state government agencies focused in the rice value chain especially with the desk officers.
• Assist program management and business development when required.
• Represent the project and organization, at internal and external functions, as assigned.

Requirements
Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Agriculture Economics or a related discipline with at least 5 years’ experience or a Master’s degree in similar fields listed with at least 3 years’ experience in the below:
  • At least 3 years of project management leadership in the development sector.
  • At least 3 years of experience in implementing agriculture/value chain development projects in Nigeria.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Related work experience and knowledge of the Nigerian economic, social and development context preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in the management of multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Experience in implementing projects with nutrition or fortification outcomes is an advantage.
• Experience in market linkages i.e., linking producers with end users.

Required Languages: 

• Fluency in English is required additionally Hausa or Yoruba.

Travel: 

• Local Travel

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multicultural
• Ability to work with tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and projects.
• Ability to develop well-written, cohesive analyses and reports.
• Proven experience managing and motivating teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of the end-to-end operations of food processing at the micro and small enterprise level.
• An in-depth understanding of the rice value chain in Nigeria.

Matrix Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Business Advisors, Communication Specialist, MEL specialist.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.