Project Manager and Agribusiness Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Background

The ‘Project de Dévelopment du Pôle de Croissance Ouest (PDPC)’ is implemented in the province of Congo Central with the objective of to increase productivity and employment in three selected value chains in six specific geographical clusters. The project is expected to generate 11,000 jobs, increase the revenues of 50,000 farmers and ascertain a delivery of 100,000 tons of agricultural produce to the agro-industry and other markets involving 10 larger and 30 SME. The financing of the project comes from the grant IDA n° H 860-ZR obtained by the Government of DRC from the World Bank.

In the context of implementing component 1 of the project: strengthening the capacities to agricultural supply in the three value chains oil palm, cassava and rice, SNV is developing farmers’ organisations in the sub-sectors oil palm, cassava and rice in the six specific clusters in Congo central. The objectives are the following:

• Link the farmers with market and conclude delivery contracts with private actors;
• Strengthen the organisational and operational capacities of farmers’ organisations to respond to market actual and potential demands in the oil palm, cassava and rice subsectors;
• Professionalise the farmers to increase their margins and strengthen their organisations to have a joint access to the markets;
• Strengthen the production capacity of farmers to increase their production and improve the quality.

The Cellule d’Exécution des Financements en faveur des Etats Fragiles within the Ministry of Finance is the direct donor agent and contracting party. Other stakeholders are the Unité d’Exécution de la composante 1 du project within the Ministry of Agriculture, six local NGOs, The provincial Ministry of Agriculture and the farmer apex organisation FOPAKO.

The project manager will steer a team of one financial controller and deputy manager, six advisors, four financial and logistical support staff and five drivers with backstopping services from an Operational Manager in DRC the Project Director of this project is based in Ghana. The project manager will also represent SNV in the DR Congo and has limited additional responsibilities regarding SNV DR Congo profiling and follow up on former projects and develop new projects.

Overview of the Position

The Project Manager and Agribusiness Specialist have responsibility for overall management of the project which includes: efficient management of financial resources; review and approval of project budgets and monitoring expenditures; supervision of field operations; procurement; supervision of monitoring and evaluation; and ensuring quality control and timeliness of all deliverables as required. S/he will ensure full compliance with the donor contract and regulations and will oversee the project reporting process to the donor. S/he will oversee performance management of all SNV project staff working in his/her project and will represent SNV in the DRC. As Agribusiness Specialist S/he is responsible for value chain development and the development of Public-Private Partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible for leadership and coordination of program planning and management; coordination of programmatic themes; political analysis and will be in charge of the following:

• Execute overall project management;
• Guide the project set-up, including developing work plans, budgets and competence table with financial responsibilities and mandates;
• Build, strengthen and manage partnerships with regional governments, key partners, institutions and stakeholders;
• Manage donor relations;
• Overall management of all human, physical and financial resources related to the project;
• Monitor performance of the project management team to ensure all milestones set in the annual work plan are met, develop mitigation plans to reduce risks and take corrective actions to remedy any deviation from the work plans;
• Account and report to SNV and the donor on project performance;
• Guide knowledge development, documentation and communication and branding in close collaboration with donor;
• Identify follow-up funding and partnership possibilities and business development.
• Develop value chain and the commercialization of the production of palm oil, rice and cassava and the development of Public-Private Partnerships.

Requirements

• A relevant post-graduate qualification in Business Administration, Agronomy, Agricultural Economy or related field;
• Minimum of ten years of progressive responsibility work experience in managing and implementing multi-faceted donor-funded development projects, preferably in Africa;
• Several years of experience with market development and inclusive business;
• Solid experience in project management, preferably in WB funded projects;
• Able to strategically inspire and energies project teams;
• Multidisciplinary profile to support the different specialist in the team ;
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation;
• Demonstrated experience in managing various stakeholders;
• Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with the private sector, civil society and governments;
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills;
• Fluency in English and French is required;
• Willingness to travel to all project locations.

Contract Type: International Employment Contract

Contract Duration: up until 10 February 2019

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation in English before 28 January 2018.

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

NB: Only shortlisted will be contacted

About the Organization

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization, working in Agriculture, Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, we have built a long-term, local presence in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organizations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

For more information on our operations in DR Congo and SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org