Localization Project Manager – ICVA West and Central Africa (WCA) At International Council of Voluntary Agencies

Job Title: Localization Project Manager – Fixed Term

Classification Level: C1- Officer

Organization: ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies)

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Immediate Supervision: AOC Regional Representative

Desired start date: September 15, 2024

Duration of the position: 14 months of position funding assured, possibility of extension depending on project funding

About ICVA

Founded in 1962, ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies) is a global network of more than 160 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels, whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice.

The ICVA 2030 Strategy adopted by the ICVA General Assembly in 2021 sets out the framework for the direction and focus of ICVA’s work for the period 2022-2030, as we evolve and transform our network. Rooting us more deeply in our mission of effective and principled humanitarian action, this Strategy defines our collective values, our ways of working and the transformations to which we aspire.

We work on priority areas (forced migration, humanitarian coordination and humanitarian financing) in order to best serve our members and the sector as a whole.

Our added value is rooted in our work of explanation and analysis, of rapprochement, of influence and advocacy, of support and collaboration. Historically based in Geneva, the ICVA Secretariat is now present in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Purpose of the position

The role of the Localisation Project Manager for the WCA office is to support the development of positioning and manage ICVA’s projects, initiatives and approaches related to localisation in the region.

Position Summary

The Localization Project Officer is responsible for supporting the strengthening of ICVA WCA’s positioning and strategy on localization and managing ICVA’s localization-related projects, initiatives and approaches in the region. Responsibilities include supporting the development of ICVA WCA’s localization strategy, brainstorming, implementing and monitoring specific localization projects, providing support and guidance to ICVA national members and NGO forums, and supporting the overall management of ICVA’s localization initiatives and approaches in the region. As a Localization Project Officer, his/her role focuses on:

• Support the development of ICVA WCA’s positioning, partnerships and localization strategy;
• Ensure the management and monitoring of ICVA WCA office localization projects;
• Provide support and guidance to national members and forums in the region;
• Organize, contribute to the development and implementation of specific WCA regional office initiatives on localization.

Main functions and responsibilities

• Positioning, partnerships and localization strategy ICVA AOC
• Support the development of a positioning and/or a localization strategy for ICVA AOC;
• Provide support in maintaining and/or developing ICVA’s localization partnerships, including facilitating communication and coordination between the different actors involved in the regional office’s localization projects and initiatives;
• Contribute to the search for new partnership opportunities to support the objectives of the localization component of the regional office;
• Support a coherent integration between the projects and localization initiatives of the ICVA AOC Regional Office;
• Contribute to ensuring consistency and good communication between ICVA activities/positionings/initiatives at the global level and in AOC.
• ICVA AOC localization project management
• Support the management of ICVA AOC localization projects by ensuring budget monitoring, indicator monitoring, reporting (donor and internal), monitoring, in line with the procedures and guidelines of donors and ICVA;
• Implement or coordinate the daily implementation of activities related to ICVA localization projects;
• Contribute to the development of tools, strategies, advocacy, or other for project management and the implementation of activities;
• Monitoring of ICVA consultants who work directly on the projects;
• Establish smooth communication with the entire AOC team (staffs and consultants) and with ICVA teams from other regions and Geneva on the progress of projects and to discuss relevance;
• Monitor, adapt activities according to developments, challenges, needs and expectations, by proposing lesson-learned exercises, sharing of good practices/experience, etc.
• Contribute to identifying strategies to ensure the continuity, expansion and improvement of activities and projects.
• Direct support and guidance for NGO members and NGO forums
• Carry out regular needs and expectations analyses with members and NGO forums in the region;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a capacity building component for NGO members and forums in the region (e.g. support for governance, coordination architecture, etc.);
• Provide support in coaching, guidance and individual or group support to national members and forums in the region, through regular visits and an online follow-up programme;
• Support the development of approaches or initiatives by members and/or NGO forums in the region (national strategies, events, workshops, etc.);
• Work closely with NGO members and forums in the region, including ensuring their involvement and ownership in the Regional Office and ICVA initiatives at global level on localization;
• Facilitate exchanges between members and forums in the region;
• Carry out a capitalization of the initiatives and approaches of the members and NGO forums of the region.
• Organize, develop and implement specific initiatives of the AOC Regional Office on localization.
• Participation/animation/support in the preparation on request of events/workshops/panels organized by different stakeholders (at country, regional or global level);
• Contribute to providing expertise on the development or revision of localisation strategies/approaches/initiatives at regional level (e.g. ICVA members, SRF, etc.);
• Support the management and development of the regional localization community of practice;
• Support the development of training modules/workshops/roundtables and deliver training/workshops/roundtables on localization to different stakeholders and at all levels.

Requirements

Experience required

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in humanitarian project management, in the field of localization and capacity building;
• Proven experience in coordinating multi-country projects;
• Previous experience in supporting the governance of NGO forums or experience in an NGO Forum;
• Experience in organizing and facilitating collaborative initiatives (example: communities of practice, workshops, round tables).

Qualification and Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, project management, international development, or relevant field;
• Additional training in project management, monitoring and evaluation, or NGO governance is an asset.

Essential knowledge and skills

Technical knowledge :

• Expertise in the field of localization and capacity building in the humanitarian sector;
• Strong project management skills, including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation (including budget monitoring);
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics and humanitarian issues in West and Central Africa;
• Perfect mastery of the office suite required (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook)

Communication skills :

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English;
• Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops and training sessions in a dynamic and inclusive manner.

Personal qualities :

• Ability to work independently and in a team;
• Initiative and ability to proactively solve problems;
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Desirable knowledge and skills

• Experience working with local and national organizations in West and Central Africa;
• Knowledge of humanitarian financing mechanisms and international donors;
• Knowledge of humanitarian coordination architecture;
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks and strategic partnerships;
• Familiarity with knowledge management tools and information sharing platforms;
• Experience in advocacy.

Become a catalyst for localization in West and Central Africa! Join a dynamic and committed team as a Localization Project Manager at ICVA in West and Central Africa.