Project Manager Economic Infrastructure Development

Parakou, Benin

Full-time

Contract type: International employment contract

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work.

We contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through effective programme delivery and influencing, with a central focus on transforming agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority coming from the more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia where we work.

SNV’s revenues (+/- €150M/ year) are based on project funding provided by a wide range of bilateral, multilateral, and private institutional funding partners.

Programme de Développement des Infrastructures Economiques et Marchandes au Benin – PDIEM

PDIEM stimulates the local economic and institutional development through the construction of profitable economic and market infrastructures (rural markets, stores, warehouses, etc) in about 20 municipalities in North Benin.

The intended impact of PDIEM is described as follows: The populations of the supported municipalities improved their living conditions through the revitalization of the local economy and the financial autonomy of the municipalities, driven by the realization and exploitation of profitable economic infrastructures. The three key objectives are: 1) Boosting the local economy: markets and the use of local material are boosted by economic and market infrastructures built/renovated. 2) Increased capacity of municipalities: infrastructures built/renovated in phase 1 and 2 are managed sustainably by municipalities through the management structures set up under the programme. 3) Local entrepreneurship and valorization of local materials: jobs and incomes are generated by local entrepreneurship (artisans, small and medium local businesses) valuing local materials and green energies.

The third phase of PDIEM (2022-2026) will focus on scaling up its activities, improving the sustainability and phasing out. The municipalities will be in the driving seat with respect to procurement, tendering and governance of the infrastructures. Co-funding by the government will be a condition. The regional associations of municipalities will support the municipalities. SNV provides advisory support, capacity building, and technical backstopping in a logic of skills transfer.

PDIEM is funded by the The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Job Description

We are looking for a Project Manager Economic Infrastructure Development for PDIEM.

Under the oversight of the Country Director, the Project Manager is responsible for providing the overall vision, leadership, and guidance on the project internally, with the SNV project team (7 persons) and partners, and externally, with the donor, the government of Benin and other stakeholders. She/he will be responsible for overall project planning, implementation, and management.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide overall leadership and project management of human, financial and physical resources;

Strengthen and manage partnerships with local and national governments, private sector partners, civil society and other stakeholders;

Manage donor relations and the donor contract;

Guide knowledge development and external communication.

Identify additional funding and partnership possibilities.

Qualifications

A relevant advanced qualification in development studies, economics, civil engineering with focus on governance, or related field;

Minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in implementation of similar projects with focus on local governance, local economic development, strengthening municipalities, preferably in (West) Africa ;

Solid experience in project management;

Proven experiences with gender specific monitoring and evaluation and reporting.

Solid working experience with infra structure procurement procedures.

Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams in long-term assignments.

Experience in some of the following areas will be an advantage: conflict-sensitive project management in fragile settings, women and youth economic empowerment, green economy;

Pro-active, solution oriented, entrepreneurial work attitude, with strong organisational skills taking individual accountability seriously;

Demonstrated ability of strong collaborative, coaching and capacity building relationships and teamwork in an intercultural setting;

Strong inter-personal skills and proven ability to communicate clearly, tactfully and sensitively and to interact with different social and cultural backgrounds;

Strong communication skills including reporting and presentation skills;

Fluency in French (working language in Benin) and English (SNV business language);

Knowledge of usual office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and regular communication channels (Internet, email, Teams).

Willingness to live and work in Parakou, with frequent travel to the municipalities in North Benin, a fragile environment with security risks.

Additional Information

Contract Type: International contract

Contract Duration: 2 years with possibility to extension

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duty station: Parakou, Benin

Working at SNV:

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We provide a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org

How to Apply

Please submit your application (CV and Cover letter) via Smart Recruiters before 26th January 2023 if you wish to be considered for this position. All information provided will be kept in the strictest confidence. We will revert to you as soon as we have reviewed your application.

We will require that you provide us with the full details of two people who are willing to act as a reference. We will not contact these references without your explicit permission.

Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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

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