Project Manager - COMESA Clearing House

COMESA REGIONAL INTEGRATION IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT

Introduction and Background

The COMESA Fund protocol was adopted in 2002 and includes a special facility, referred to as the COMESA Adjustment Facility (CAF), for the provision of adjustment support. The CAF is supported by the Regional Integration Support Mechanism (RISM) that is funded through the 9th and 10th European Development Fund. The programme has a total funding of € 111 million that is provided to Member States to support improved implementation of regional programmes at the national level. In line with the principles of Aid Effectiveness the RISM programme has been embedded into the CAF both in terms of objectives and in terms of delivery of the support and resources.

Seventeen COMESA Member States are eligible for funding with sixteen Member States having approved allocation at the end of 2014. The funding to the Member States is provided through two funding modalities namely budget support or project support. Budget support is provided to Member States that are eligible to EU budget support. Project support is provided where a country is not eligible for budget support, or where project support is a more preferable mechanism. In that case, the country prepares and implements a project in line with European Development Fund (EDF) procedures or COMESA procedures in exceptional cases. A project implementation unit is also set up to facilitate implementation of the project.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Project Manager
Duty Station: Harare
Commencement Date: May/June 2015
Duration Contract will be issued for a period not exceeding 31 December 2016

Report To: Executive Secretary, COMESA Clearing House

Purpose of the Job

Responsible for the management and monitoring of the project funded by CAF/RISM and make sure that the procedures agreed in the project’s Grant Agreement are followed and that planned activities are implemented successfully in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner. Involves working in close liaison with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to achieve deeper regional integration in COMESA projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Coordinate day to day administration and implementation of the project activities;

• Monitor approved budget performance;

• Ensure timely preparation of quarterly/annual work plans and budgets, with clear indicators and benchmarks;

• Coordinate and facilitate the preparation of project accounts and financial reports;

• Coordinate the timely presentation of quality reports on all implementation, audit, monitoring and evaluation of activities;

• Ensure compliance of at project activities and processes with set procedures, rules and regulations, and highest governance standards;

• Supervise the Project Management Unit staff and ensure efficiency and reliability in delivering in their areas of responsibility;

• Prepare terms of references and supervise experts and sub-contractors needed for the successful implementation of the initiative;

• Work with various stakeholders and coordinate all project interventions;

• Prepare project reports for submission to the Project Steering Committee and the NAO and COMESA as part of the project monitoring process;

• Ensure accountability of all funds provided for activity implementation;

• Lead in the production and dissemination of periodic consolidated M&E progress reports;

• Present project updates to the Project Steering Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Industry and Commerce;

• Responsible for activity planning and sequencing;

• Ascertain that the project ensure that HIV / AIDS and gender are mainstreamed; and

• Carry out other duties as directed by the Executive Secretary of the COMESA Clearing House and consider recommendations made by the Project Steering Committee in liaison with the Executive Secretary.

Qualification and skills

A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Project Management, Economics, Development Studies or Business Administration. A Ph.D. in any of these areas would be an added advantage.

Professional experience

• Minimum 10 years of proven professional experience in senior-management capacity in the area of project management, planning, strategy development, policy analysis in either the private or public sector. Experience in a field or fields relevant to regional integration and international technical cooperation will be an added advantage;

• 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;

• Computer skills in various MS Office applications, including any project management software/application. Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Ability to work in a team environment under minimum supervision;

• Ability and experience across a broad range of programmatic and administrative functions: budget/work programme, procurement, audit, evaluation, etc;
• Ability to work in English; and
• Experience and understanding of the monitoring and evaluation framework.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must be fluent in English.

Must be able to work after hours and travel around Zimbabwe.

SALARY SCALE
Salary will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates

Qualified and interested candidates should apply to the following address accompanied with a detailed CV, Certified Copies of Certificates and Transcripts of Qualifications by 30 March 2015

The Executive Secretary
COMESA Clearing House

4 Purbeck Close
Highlands
Harare

Email: riip@comesach.org