Project Manager

Assignment Title: Project Manager

Contract duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension based on performance)

Duty station: Lusaka, Zambia

Travel: Within COMESA countries

1. Background

The COMESA Business Council is the recognized apex business organization in the region, representing private sector interests at the highest levels of decision making in the region. The CBC provides key market driven services to its membership, namely- business advocacy, business support services- linkages, partnerships and market intelligence, and lastly membership development – technical and productive capacity building. In 2013, CBC’s business work groups- namely the CBC Manufacturers’ Workgroup(19 Manufacturer Associations and corporates present in more than one country), and the SME Workgroup(19 SME Associations and enterprises present in more than one country) agreed on a mutual action plan to localize selected growth enterprises into the supply chains of Multi-National Companies present in Africa, based on the overall objective of sustainable sourcing of African goods and services which ensures continuity in a company’s  supply of safe, high-quality materials, reducing business risk and delivering sustainable business value to the said companies and their supply chain partners. The same recommendations have also been adopted by the CBC Tourism Workgroup(19 Tourism Federations, Agencies, Councils and businesses present in more than one country).  Currently,  the COMESA Business Council has been working with said sectors(Tourism Industry, Manufacturers and SMEs industry) to put in place strategic frameworks that can guide businesses to encourage increased local supplier content into the value chains of companies that are both indigenous as well as Multi Nationals based in Africa.

The project is funded by the following partners;

• The Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) works to improve the climate for investment in Africa by removing barriers to doing business. A healthy investment climate is crucial for sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation across the continent. ICF is based in Africa and is an unique and unprecedented partnership between governments, private companies and development partners, exclusively focused on providing tangible improvements to Africa’s investment climate. ICF has partnered with CBC in providing a one year fund to support the growth and sustainability of SMEs to participate effectively in regional supply chains in the COMESA region.
• USAID- IPAA, a regional Integration program under COMESA that funds private sector development, climate change and agriculture led agendas under the chapeaux of trade and investment.
• Lastly, the project is funded by the Private sector who are members of the CBC.

The COMESA Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary and food safety (SPS) Unit will also provide technical support in implementing the training and counselling program for enterprise development. This is to ensure that selected business in the food supply business, are to meet the key agricultural practices demanded by the selected corporate industries in order to encourage local penetration into their formal supply chains .

The initial requirements of the project are to build the capacity of the CBC Secretariat to implement the overall program.   The CBC-ICF funded Project , herein referred to as the Local Sourcing for Partnerships(LSP) Project- sees four regular staff positions for the CBC Secretariat.

The project is under the overall management of the CBC Coordinator, herein referred to as the Project Director. The project seeks  a qualified Project Manager  who will have the main responsibility for the Project Management and Implementation.

Summary of Key Functions

• Implementation of project strategies and objectives in line with the CBC Strategic objectives and vision
• Management of  LSP  project
• Creation of strategic partnerships
• Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing

Scope of Work

Under the overall management of the CBC Board and the direct management of the CBC Coordinator, the Project Manager will be expected to run the project on a day to day basis.

The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.  Specific Tasks are as follows;

Day-to-day oversight and coordination of implementation of project activities

• Recruitment and supervision of technical and training expertise as required for implementation of the project.
• Developing and maintaining close linkages with relevant sectoral SMES, Private sector associations, government agencies, and strategic partners of the project.
• Coordinating the project team in carrying out their duties at an optimum level through ensuring efficient and effective resource utilization
• Coordinating inputs of the project into annual results-based work plans and logical frameworks as endorsed by the management
• Preparing detailed annual breakdowns of the work plan for all project objectives, And preparation of quarterly work plans.
• Preparing all project reports as required (including Annual Project Reports, Inception Report, Quarterly Reports and the Terminal Report).
• Preparing quarterly status and financial reports for comments and approval by the Management
• Coordinate the establishment of sub-national project Task Teams in all six countries where project is to be implemented.
• Provision of Monitoring and Progress Controls:
• Maintenance of project records which includes compiling, analyzing, summarizing, recording and maintaining information on project activities and its financial data;
• General Administration: Handle all general administrative matters of the project as directed by the Project Director.

Project Management

1. Preparation of project budgets:
   • Assisting in the preparation of required budget revisions and drafting requests for disbursements of funds under the project.
2. Support to project audits;
   • Assisting in the compilation of required documentation for project audits.
   • Support the Project Manager in the implementation of the audit recommendations in a systematic manner;
3. Project implementation and monitoring;
   • Identify from the selected countries, national expertise in the various competence areas required for the efficient implementation of the Local Sourcing Project.
   • Coordinate and supervise the work of external consultants, as needed
   • Supporting the monitoring of project activities by previewing a variety of records, including control plans, progress reports, project inputs, budgets and financial expenditures;
   • Undertaking visits to project sites and preparing reports on them.
   • Prepare annual work plan with quarterly milestones for the Project, which includes the trainings, business counselling, MoU signings and market linkages programs.
   • Oversee the implementation of LSP Project in close cooperation with the associated partners (public and private sector).
   • Prepare monthly Project management team minutes and update Project plan each month.
   • Prepare Quarterly Report in collaboration with Project team, and ensure submission of Financial Report and statements.
4. Knowledge building and sharing;
   • Assisting in the preparation, updating and maintenance of project publicity materials such as brochures;
   • Distribution of project literature to all interested parties;
   • Facilitate effective and coordinated communication of information between all organizations and staff involved in project implementation
5. Event Management;

• Organizing workshops and meetings:
• Assisting in the organization of workshops, seminars, and round table meetings including making bookings for venues, accommodation, and transport;
• Travel for all project staff.
• Ensuring payment of per diems, and other legitimate payments related to the project;
• Documenting of all project meetings and other activities as directed by the Project Manager

6. Any other duties as assigned by the CBC Coordinator.

Qualifications, Competencies and experience required:

Combining excellent knowledge and in-depth understanding of Regional Integration and Private sector development, and experience in technical assistance, the incumbent should offer the following:

Core Competencies:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Ability to plan and prioritize own work and to work well under tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Education:

• A Post graduate Degree in Project Management, or Business Administration;
• Experience: Minimum 5 years relevant work experience at national or regional level in providing business advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience working with private sector and trade promotion bodies.
• Demonstrated project management experience in private sector development
• Good knowledge of key private and public stakeholders within the COMESA sub-region

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English. French is an added advantage.

Location: 

The work will be undertaken at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka and might involve regional travel.

Payment:

The consultant will be paid annually an all inclusive sum of US$30,000 (Thirty Thousand US dollars only) to be paid on monthly bases.

Duration:

Twelve (12) months

Reporting and management

The consultant will report to Project Director.  The Project Director will provide quality assurance and ensure that the documentation produced is reviewed and approved .

The Project Director will ensure that the Consultant receives all relevant documentation with respect to ICF Guidelines, Rules and Regulations necessary for the execution of his/her tasks.

Submissions:

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) now invites eligible consultants to submit application in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (applications, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

Application must be delivered to the address below by 25th May 2015 at 17:00hrs

The Secretary General
COMESA Secretariat.
Ben Bella Road
P.O. Box 30051

Lusaka, Zambia.

Tel: (260) 211 229725.
Fax: (260) 211 225107

Email: Procurement@comesa.int