KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Project Manager/Senior Project Manager (dependent on experience)
Position Type: Full-Time
Duration/Level of Effort: Permanent
Position Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Reports to: Project Director
BACKGROUND
Cowater is a global international development consultancy firm that works with partners to deliver technical assistance to governments and the private sector in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Our key technical areas of focus include: public financial management and accountability, revenue reform, customs, trade and investment facilitation, conflict, stability and security, inclusive economic growth, sustainable extractives industries, social service delivery, climate adaptation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as women’s economic empowerment.
Cowater works with a diversified set of development donors, including the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) the European Union (EU), the World Bank, and others. Cowater further counts on a dynamic and diverse team of professionals committed to designing and implementing projects that deliver lasting results for the clients and countries with whom it works.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
Cowater is looking for a full-time, in-country International Project Manager to be based in Maputo (Mozambique) to play a leading role in the day-to-day management of the £12 million Taxing Efficiently for Developing Inclusively (TEDI) programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic international development professional looking to progress their career by managing a large programme from the field and being part of a programme’s leadership team!
The TEDI programme is co-funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida). The programme supports the Government of Mozambique in its domestic revenue mobilisation efforts by working with key beneficiaries in the Ministry of Finance (MEF) and the Mozamabican Revenue Authority (MRA) on the following four components:
1. Tax Administration, providing technical assistance to the MRA’s Audit Department;
2. Extractives, providing technical assistance to the MRA’s Extractives Industry Taxation Unit (EITU);
3. Tax Policy, providing technical assistance to the MEF, specifically the National Directorate of Economic and Development Policy; and
4. Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI).
The programme has a resident full-time team, including international and national experts. There is also a £3 million Procurement Fund for the procurement of goods and services to support the delivery of the four components. It is currently running until June 2025.
The Project Manager will be part of the TEDI Leadership team, oversee the Project Management Unit (PMU), and be Cowater’s representative in-country. The role will ensure the successful achievement of TEDI’s objectives on time and on budget, whilst playing a key leading role in technical coordination, managing FCDO and counterpart relationships, donor reporting, financial management, operations, risk management, and procurement and compliance.
The Project Manager will report directly to the TEDI Project Director and will take part in annual performance reviews.
KEY RESPONSIBLITIES
Research shows that while men apply to roles when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women often only apply when they meet every requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and you think you would be a good fit, please apply even if you feel you don’t meet all the criteria, apply!
Project management and implementation
· Lead the successful delivery of the TEDI programme in line with the Terms of Reference, ensuring quality and timely delivery against objectives and budget.
o This includes above-average competency in the following project management areas: client relationship management, reporting, financial management, operations, team management, quality assurance, risk management.
· Develop and maintain close relationships with the client and counterparts, particularly FCDO.
· Build and maintain strong working relationships with the TEDI team, particularly the Team Leader and Programme Management Unit (PMU).
· Lead the delivery of quarterly and annual (technical and financial) reports for the client, submitted on time and to quality.
· Ensure robust and timely financial management in accordance with TEDI’s financial management processes – review forecasts, invoices, Value for Money analyses, quarterly Payment by Results, oversee the management of the Procurement Fund.
· Communicate key project risks and issues to the Project Director and FCDO (as necessary) clearly, concisely and in a timely fashion.
· Maintain awareness of, and conversance with, the political economy and key topics in Mozambique.
· Ensure the achievement of corporate objectives, both financial and others.
· Ensure adherence with Cowater’s and FCDO’s Code of Conduct policies as well as TEDI’s policies across the programme’s operations, including security and Duty of Care.
Technical coordination
· Support the Team Leader in managing the workplan and setting quarterly milestones, as well as ensuring technical coordination and coherence across the components.
· Provide inputs where relevant in technical activities and quality assurance.
· Support TEDI Leadership and FCDO on donor coordination efforts.
Team and performance management
· Line manage the 4x PMU staff and lead the PMU to ensure strong performance across financial management, operations and logistics, contract management, and procurement.
· Support the Team Leader in ensuring strong technical team performance.
· Conduct and participate annual performance management reviews for all team members.
· Manage recruitment processes – e.g., work with the technical team to identify and source short-term technical expertise, including drafting ToR.
· Act as the focal point for the programme’s consortium partners.
· Always remain aware of, demonstrate and encourage others to uphold Cowater’s values and Code of Conduct Policies.
Other
· Contribute to the growth and development of Cowater through for example (subject to level of effort):
o Business Development: Contributing to the pursuit of business development opportunities in Mozambique and/or the broader region.
o Marketing: Contributing content and articles to external channels; leading topical discussions and events.
o Human Resource Development: Support, coach and develop colleagues, particularly in the area of governance/project management.
o Personal Development: Take ownership to grow one’s own capability, experience and expertise.
o Knowledge Management: Ensure the roll-out of Cowater systems and processes and that all knowledge is shared and maintained via agreed team systems and processes.
KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Academic qualifications:
· A master’s degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., economics, political science, international development, business administration, etc.) or equivalent experience.
Required skills and experience:
· Around 3-5 years’ experience managing a multi-year, multi-million £ donor-funded programme (e.g., FCDO, DFAT, EU, GAC, USAID, World Bank, etc.).
· In-country project management experience in a developing country context.
· Proven project management skills, particularly around:
· Experience managing a team, including performance management and some line management;
· Strong interpersonal and team-working skills – an ability to build and maintain strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect with clients, counterparts, sub-contractors, and team members;
· Excellent English verbal and written communication skills (reports, presentations, etc.);
· Strong organisational skills, with a focus on results;
· Ability to take initiative – a penchant for taking personal accountability – and to collaborate effectively with others;
· Mastery of the most common IT tools (MS Word, Excel, PPT, Teams);
· Capacity to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
Strong assets:
· Working proficiency in Portuguese or another Latin language (Spanish, French, Italian) is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage.
· Experience managing an FCDO-funded programme is desirable.
· Experience managing a governance programme would be an asset.
Conditions of employment:
· Willingness to relocate to Maputo, Mozambique. Cowater will cover the costs of relocation, work permit and accommodation in-country.
SALARY
£45,000-£55,000 dependent on experience/level
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, or by Friday, 12th January 2024. For your application to be considered, please upload your CV (no more than 2 page-limit) and Cover Letter as follows: “Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position”
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company founded in 1985. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and with corporate hubs in Montreal, Canada, Brussels, Belgium, and London, UK. Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities to implement projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements, and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
