PROJECT MANAGER – COMESA AID FOR TRADE UNIT

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional grouping of 19 African States which have agreed to promote regional integration through trade development, investment promotion and transport facilitation. More information can be obtained from the COMESA website  www.comesa.int. COMESA seeks to recruit a Project Manager under the Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) Contribution Agreement and is inviting applications from qualified and interested persons;

PROJECT MANAGER – COMESA AID FOR TRADE UNIT

Background

To date, COMESA has adopted two Aid for Trade (AfT) Strategies with the current strategy, for 2012-2015, having been adopted in 2012 at the 28th COMESA Summit. The Aid for Trade Strategies (2012-2015) includes a strong focus on the delivery of adjustment support to the Member States under the framework of the COMESA Adjustment Facility (CAF).

In order to achieve the results of the CAF, funds were mobilized under the 9th European Development Fund through a Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) Contribution Agreement. The Agreement established the RISM programme, which covers both COMESA and EAC Member States. The programme has been designed to: deliver adjustment support to Member States to enhance their capacity for implementing regional programmes at the national level; and improve the planning, monitoring and implementation of the transposition of regional programmes at the national level. At the country level, these aspects are fulfilled mainly through Regional Integration Implementation Programmes and their associated progress monitoring reports.

The adjustment support under RISM is meant to be delivered through untargeted financial support for those countries that are budget support eligible. However, some of the countries in the region are not eligible for untargeted support and therefore are eligible to receive project support. The COMESA Secretariat is responsible for providing the necessary technical assistance and guidance in the formulation and implementation of the projects and the requisite monitoring of activities. In order to enhance the internal capacities to efficiently support the project development and implementation at Member States level, the Secretariat is seeking the services of a Project Manager who will work with the coordination unit of RISM and the Member States in the region.

Detailed Terms of Reference for Project Manager

Under the overall supervision of the Secretary General and direct supervision of the COMAid/RISM Coordinator, the Project Manager undertakes to provide the full spectrum of project management support which will include the following:


a) Support Member States in the programming, identification and formulation of projects in line with the COMESA Adjustment Facility procedures, EDF Procedures and other procedures as applicable;

b) Consult with divisions and units at the COMESA Secretariat to ensure consistency and coherence of selected projects with existing COMESA (and EAC) programmes and policies;

c) Undertake Consultations with COMESA’s development partners and other stakeholders, including but not limited to the national and regional European Union Delegations in the respective Member States throughout project cycle process;

d) Ensure that Member States submit project logical frameworks, work-plans, budgets and narrative and financial reports as required;

e) In collaboration with the COMESA Finance Division, ensure that work plans, budgets and reports are submitted on time and in line with stipulated procedures;

f) Formulate and/or improve templates for project implementation which may include project manuals, logical framework templates, work-plan templates, reporting formats and budget templates;

g) Support the overall monitoring and assessment of project formulation and implementation of programme activities, particularly those under project-based support, and highlighting high risk areas for management attention;

h) Ensure that audits and evaluation of projects are undertaken in a timely manner, internally endorsed within the COMAid/RISM Unit and transmitted for final institutional approvals;

i) Work closely with other divisions (legal, finance, audit, M&E etc) to ensure that all donor requirements including contract and procurement procedures are met;

j) Support the recruitment of project support/technical assistance in the Member States for project implementation;

k) Contribute to the development of project procedures required for the full project cycle;

l) Support finalisation and management of grant contracts or agreements with Member States and/or implementing institutions in line with agreed procedures;

m) Attend project management and steering committee meetings, and propose actions where necessary;

n) Support the implementation of the COMESA Adjustment Facility and Aid for Trade Strategy including monitoring and reporting of the RISM programme;

o) Ensure that visibility and publicity activities are integrated into Member State project documents and work-plans, and are undertaken;

p) Support the professional record keeping and knowledge management activities of the Unit, including technical analysis, documentation and archiving; and

q) Undertake other assignment as may be assigned by the COMAid/RISM Coordinator.

Professional Experience and Competencies:

The candidate must at least have:

(i) A degree in a development field such as Project Management, Economics, Finance, Law and Business studies. A professional qualification such as ACCA or CIMA or a relevant Masters degree will be an added advantage.

(ii) Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in an international organization or Government. Experience in a field or fields relevant to regional integration and international technical cooperation will be an added advantage;

(iii) Experience in project cycle management (programming, identification and monitoring) activities in national or regional organizations is required. Experience in EDF procedures (projects are implemented in line with EDF-EU procedures) , will be an asset;

(iv) Computer skills in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Strong organizational and communication skills;

(v) Ability to work in a team environment under minimum supervision;

(vi) Ability and experience across a broad range of programmatic and administrative functions: budget/work programme, procurement, audit, evaluation, etc;

(vii) Ability to work in both English and French. However, candidates with only one language may also be considered.

(viii) Experience working with people of diverse cultural, education, socio-economic, and linguistic/ethnic backgrounds;

The successful candidate will have excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to multi-task and must be a quick learner who focuses on high productivity and results. The candidate will be professional, friendly, and with an enthusiastic personality; and will be a self-starter with a proactive attitude and a good anticipation of needs.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT FOR THE POST:

Duration of Appointment: The contract for successful candidate will run from the date they take up the appointment up to 22nd December 2014 with possibility for extension to 2016 subject to performance and the approval of the next phase of the RISM programme.

Remuneration: A monthly all inclusive lump sum of Euro7000 will be provided. However, this may be adjusted where a candidate has less experience than requested.

Location of performance of the Contract: The duty Station will be at the COMESA Secretariat headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia. The successful applicants will also be required to undertake significant duty travel to COMESA Member States.

Eligibility for Applicants: Nationals of ACP, COMESA and EU are eligible to apply.

Final date for receipt of applications: 21 February 2014. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Equal Opportunity: COMESA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualifying female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Address: Applications MUST be submitted on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the COMESA website: http:www.comesa.int/, Opportunities, COMESA Job Application Format. Please indicate the job title in the subject of your e-mail:

Secretary General
COMESA Centre

Ben Bella Road
P.O. Box 30051

10101 Lusaka, Zambia

Email: recruitment@comesa.int