Multi-Country Project Manager - Innovation Challenge Fund

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance.  Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

Job Description

As the Multi-Country Project Manager at SNV of the Innovations Against Poverty (IAP) project (contingent to funding), you will have the unique opportunity to lead innovative approaches against poverty while managing conflicting requirements, and operations across four diverse focus countries: Cambodia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia. IAP provides financial and non-financial support to innovative inclusive businesses that bring both commercial benefits for the private sector and developmental benefits for low-income populations. These selected businesses receive grant funding and essential advisory support, including investment readiness and matchmaking.

With your strong stakeholder management, coordination, and networking skills, you will navigate the complexities of overseeing the end-to-end project execution across multiple countries, even in politically unstable and insecure environments. Your autonomy to work independently and provide leadership ensures your direct influence on the long-term success of IAP, which will be launching a third phase in 2024, running through 2026.

For more information on IAP, please refer to our website: https://innovationsagainstpoverty.org/

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Set-up and Design: Refine project structures and procedures, including challenge fund competition and fund management mechanisms, technical assistance, and monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and communication, ensuring alignment with organisational guidelines, accounting principles, and donor requirements.
• Challenge Fund Management: Lead and manage project teams across multiple countries to:
• Run selection process from launch through selection and contracting of grantees, ensuring a fair and transparent process;
• Monitor grantee progress and manage funds and disbursements according to project and donor guidelines, including addressing any changes needed to grantee contracts and/or contract terminations.
• Technical Assistance and Investment Support Management: Work with project team, project partners, and other internal and external parties to assess, coordinate, and, as needed, deliver advisory and investment support to grantees. Ensure quality standards are met and any external relationships comply with organisational and donor guidelines.
• Analysis & Reporting: Manage MEL team to collect, consolidate, and review project indicators following monitoring and evaluation guidelines, to develop insightful and high-quality reporting / deliverables for donors and other stakeholders, and to facilitate project closure and external evaluations. Provide insights and recommendations for organisational policies and practices to improve this process.
• Knowledge & Insight Development: Work with learnings, communications, and influencing team to develop internal and external knowledge sharing by documenting and disseminating project insights, attending workshops / conferences, and applying lessons learned.
• People Management & Team Leadership: Guide, develop, and motivate team members across multiple countries and disciplines (8 team members and consultants/partners). As needed, advise on recruitment and contract conditions.
• Contract Management & Project Accounting: Ensure compliance with administrative, finance, and HR components of the project. Ensure structured project management, appropriate staffing, and adherence to project timeline. Manage the project budget, obtain approvals for contract/budget deviations, and mitigate financial and other risks.
• Business Development & Stakeholder Management: Build effective relationships with stakeholders (including Sida, project partners, and relevant entrepreneurship and investment organisations and ecosystems), maintain IAP and organisational visibility (including by participating in conferences and events), identify opportunities for innovation and upscaling of IAP, and address potential threats to project delivery.
• Project Quality Assurance: Ensure the quality of project delivery and deliverables and provide technical input to meet the required standards.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications:

• Proficiency level equivalent to a Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in development work and project management, with significant experience in private sector development and relevant sectors (including but not limited to agribusiness, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water, sanitation, and hygiene, financial inclusion).
• Experience working in an international, multiple-country context, particularly in Africa and/or Asia.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with excellent communication skills in order to represent IAP and SNV internationally.

Additional qualifications:

• Extensive experience managing grants and/or technical assistance programmes and navigating challenging situations with multiple stakeholders.
• Profound knowledge of project management procedures, systems, and finance processes.
• Strong ambition to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including investors, regional and global investor and philanthropic networks (e.g. GIIN, AVPN, AVPA), country-level entrepreneurship ecosystems (e.g. incubators, accelerators, angel networks), and donors, particularly Sida.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a demonstrated focus on coaching and developing team members.
• Result-oriented with a focus on impactful outcomes.
• Ability to analyse complex situations, deconstruct problems, and develop a comprehensive understanding in order to solve challenges.
• Adaptability and flexibility to develop and implement new approaches.

Additional Information

• Contract type: Full time, International employment contract. 
• Duty station: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Contract duration: 2 year with the possibility of extension based on performance
• Expected start date: January, contingent to funding 
• Travel: Frequently 

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 27th of November 2023. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be processed in the strictest confidence. If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise you of the next steps in the recruitment process. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place.

*SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV  

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org/careers.

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.