Project Manager – Cameroon At INTERSOS

INTERSOS is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organization whose objective is to assist victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. INTERSOS bases its action on the values ​​of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all peoples, respect for diversity, coexistence, and attention to the most vulnerable social groups.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Project Manager

Code: SR-48-9644

Country: Cameroon

Place of assignment: Kousseri (Far North)

Start date: 02/15/2025

Contract duration: 12 months

Under the supervision of: Program Coordinator

Dependents: Approximately 15 staff

Duty station: No family

General context of the project

This project is a continuation of the activities that INTERSOS has been carrying out since 2015 with funding from the BHA in the Far North. It will be implemented in the Logone-et-Chari department only and will target 20,000 people most affected by complex crises. The action will be concentrated in 2 divisions (namely: Goulfey and Blangoua) for the Integrated Food Security and Shelter Kits sectors (under the RRM approach) within the Kousseri to Blangoua axis.

The Far North region suffers from one of the highest rates of chronic food deficits and acute malnutrition in the country. Also, the Harmonized Framework analysis estimates that 2.4 million people will face acute food and nutrition insecurity during the next lean season in Cameroon and that the most affected areas are in the Far North.

In addition, the 2023 rainy season was marked by low rainfall, but on the other hand, for the 2024 season, rainfall exceeded 125% of the norm for the months of August, September and October. This increase in rainfall raises fears of the overflowing of the Logone and Chari rivers, which would further aggravate the flood crisis.

Insecurity (NSAG) and floods continuously generate population movements. The project aims to meet the needs of displaced people in terms of food and shelter.

General objective of the position

The Project Manager ensures constant engagement between the different support services to ensure rapid support to the project team.

The Project Manager owns the budget for the entire grant/project budget and closely oversees/monitors financial planning, liquidity planning and budget utilization/burn rate monitoring.

Financial/budget management is the final responsibility of the Project Manager for the specific project and he/she must ensure that this is combined with a tight logical framework and monitoring of the work plan.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Main responsibilities

• Ensure planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation and set objectives as included in the project description. Report any significant deviations from the program implementation plan and estimated expenditures; Alert relevant staff.
• Ensure effective financial management as the main holder of the project budget, in accordance with the INTERSOS model and donor regulations.

Team and human resources management (staff and volunteers)

• Provide quality reporting on project activities, including findings in terms of impact and changes in beneficiaries reached by the project, compliant and consistent reporting in accordance with INTERSOS and donor requirements, in collaboration with the HQ Grants Unit
• Develop a clear understanding of the INTERSOS programme and country strategy within the project team – also ensure that the team provides timely input and feedback on strategic issues.
• Support the program coordinator in the development of programs or projects.
• Ensure that programme delivery meets INTERSOS and donor minimum technical standards, and seek advice and tools from the Technical Section and MEAL Department.
• Ensure a clear overview of actors and services in the intervention area, enabling the development and implementation of partnerships and referral pathways.
• Administrative and office support activities (agreements, amendments, signed reports, communications, etc.), ensuring that the documentation cycle is up to date and ensuring that the requirements of all departments are harmonized and addressed.
• Detailed Responsibilities and Tasks
• Ensure full and timely implementation of the project proposal as approved, proactively meeting reporting deadlines:
• Project launch and presentation/sharing of the project with the teams
• Review and prepare a detailed activity plan with the team
• Verification of beneficiary targeting
• Financial management and procurement
• Prepare, monitor and implement the financial and procurement plan
• Prepare the financial plan
• Approval of all purchases/contracts and allocation of budget lines
• Check accounting entries in INTERSOS accounting spreadsheets (JOURNAL): check budget line allocations, status of budget expenditures against actual delivery and financial plan for the remaining project implementation period
• Ensure that for all purchases/contracts of goods/services/supplies, the correct INTERSOS procurement guidelines are applied and properly documented, in coordination with the Finance and Logistics departments.
• Check the list of expenses before finalizing the interim and final financial reports.
• Assumes final responsibility for verifying the completeness and accuracy of all supporting documentation.

Personnel management

• Agree and establish clear reporting and communication lines
• Recruitment of the team, liaison with the HR department to secure up-to-date HR files.
• Ongoing coaching of teams in the field to work on the quality of delivery.
• Manages and evaluates the performance of project staff.
• Hold weekly and monthly meetings with the team to review planning and discuss key concerns to focus on for the upcoming period.
• Continuous/rapid verification of the quality of data collected and received from field staff.
• Ensure that teams comply with INTERSOS rules and guidelines for the mission and adhere to the INTERSOS Code of Conduct and Values ​​Charter.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Ensure monitoring and verification of beneficiary targeting.
• Applying a results-based management approach, monitor project outcomes, in addition to outputs and activities, including household and community level changes achieved through the project.
• Conduct (security permitting) field visits to provide technical advice and supervision to the team and to monitor the progress and quality of the various project activities.

Reports

• Ensure quality reporting on achievements through short daily briefings, monthly and weekly planning presented against weekly and monthly performance reports containing clear quantitative and qualitative information relating to activities.
• Obtain regular reports per team and compile, review and analyze reports on a monthly basis which will be reflected in the INTERSOS project evaluation tool.
• Prepare ad hoc progress reports for donors and interim and final project reports as required by officials; Prepare interim and final narrative reports for the donor in a timely and qualitative manner, reviewing achievements against outcomes and outputs, and clearly reflecting lessons learned in recommendations for future programming.
• Assumes final responsibility for all supporting documentation (means of verification) and general project documents.
• Regularly provides communication products (including photos) on the project to be used by the INTERSOS communication department in different points of sale.

Coordination and representation

• Assist the Program Coordinator and Technical Coordinators in attending group meetings and ensuring that highlights and information relevant to the intervention area are reported in a timely manner.
• Participate in regular meetings with donor representatives and facilitate field visits by donor missions (when security conditions permit), in coordination with the Programme Coordinator.
• Ensure systematic sharing of information and updates with the program coordinator
• Carry out any other related tasks that may be assigned to him.

Required profile

Education

• University degree at the level of commerce in social sciences, political science, international relations, humanitarian aid or a related discipline

Professional experience

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in humanitarian project/programme management, including financial management and logistical responsibilities
• Desirable experience in managing projects funded by BHA
• Experience in SECAL and/or shelter sectors
• Experience in distribution projects
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts, as well as in donor compliance and reporting.

Professional requirements

• Ability to manage teams in an unstable security context

LANGUAGES

• French (the intervention area is French-speaking)
• English (the lessor is English-speaking)

Personal requirements

• Strong representation and negotiation skills
• Ability to ensure timely and quality delivery in a stressful environment
• Communication, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
• Leadership, management and people development
• Organization and problem solving
• Commitment to INTERSOS Principles