full time Project Manager Surinam NGO Institutional Strengthening (SNIS) Programme

Job Description

The overall objective of the Suriname NGO Institutional Strengthening (SNIS) Programme is to reduce poverty in Suriname by promoting sustainable development. The SNIS Programme has been designed to strengthen the capacity of each level of the NGO sector and at the same time to enable NGOs to bring a more concerted approach to their activities. The Programme also includes activities to set in motion processes for effective two-way communication channels with government departments and other institutions. The SNIS Programme intends to achieve its objectives through a combination of: training, mentoring and coaching; dialogue meetings; links and visits with similar organisations in other countries; provision of access to NGO Training and Resource Centres. For this program SPAN Consultants is searching for two key experts, a Project Manager (international key expert) and a Project Accountant (national key expert) Key expert No 1: International Suriname-based Project Manager (full time; 36 months) The Project Manager will be fielded for a period of 33.6 man-months. He/she will be in charge of project implementation. The Project Manager shall be supported by a Project Accountant, Secretary and several Short Term Experts provided under the Service Contract. This staff shall form the Programme Management Unit (PMU). The skills required include professional technical skills, team management skills and communication skills. The Project Manager will be based in Paramaribo, but will also have to travel within Suriname and possibly within the region. Qualifications and skills A postgraduate degree holder in fields related to community/civil society development and/or any other relevant discipline. He/She should have proven leadership and managerial abilities as evidenced by project management engagements for at least 5 years. Specific knowledge of the Surinamese NGO/CBO setting or similar tropical communities’ conditions, as well as an intimate knowledge of the local society would be a further asset. General professional experience • Knowledge of the European Development Fund (EDF) Project Management Cycle and experience in managing EC programmes. • Able to write technical and administrative reports in English. Conversant with EDF requirements. • Understanding of the regional social and economic situation • Understanding of NGO empowerment trends, particularly in relation to dialogue • Excellent coaching skills and ability to work in a team • The ability of creating networks, building “bridges” • Excellent communication skills • Computer literate • He/she should speak and write English fluently. Dutch and/or any of the other languages spoken in Suriname would be an advantage. Specific professional experience A general exposure to capacity building of local NGOs/CBOs of at least five year is an essential complement to the project management skills required above. In particular, it will be considered useful if this person has an in-depth knowledge of some of the specific themes being developed by NGO’s generally (e.g. Gender, Environment etc…). The demonstrated ability to develop consensus among various constituencies would be an important asset.