Gambia Country Programme Manager At WasteAid

WasteAid is UK Based INGO and works across Africa and Asia to support country to fast track local solutions to deal with the waste crisis. We work across different waste streams including plastics, metals, textile and organic waste. See www.wasteaid.org for more information on what we do and where we work.

WasteAid has been working in The Gambia since 2015 on various projects to forward the Circular Economy. The purpose of this role is to take strategic lead of WasteAid’s Gambia programme, supervising current projects and project staff and personally directing two key projects EU-S-Organics & Chartered Institution of Wastes Management -funded Circular Economy Network.

The person will also help lead the way in identifying new funding opportunities in country whether directly through donors or through strategic partnerships with others INGOs or private sector.

The person will also be a key link between the programmes team in the UK and The Gambia helping to embed best practice in Project Cycle Management across our portfolio.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Management

• Ensure implementation of all Gambia projects are on time, target and budget, using effective MEAL systems to reach desired impact.
• In conjunction with the Project Officer, lead the strategic direction of a Circular Economy Network, a membership initiative with over 250 members in The Gambia, to organise events, trainings and challenge competitions
• In conjunction with the Project Officer, lead and represent WasteAid’s EU funded organics composting project liaising with consortium lead United Purpose
• Regularly evaluate projects effectiveness, to develop improved methods; share findings and to advise project staff on the direction of project
• Convey relevant information from senior management to project staff in order to keep them informed and engaged
• Work with staff to produce timely and high-quality data and reports.
• Liaise closely with local authorities, donor and partner agencies to ensure projects compliance with donor policies and regulations
• In collaboration with senior management personnel, identify funding opportunities and contribute to the design of new program concepts. Draft concept notes, working budgets, assessment reports, and results framework.

Maintain flexibility to take on added responsibility as and when needed

Human Resources Management

• Supervise two key staff, Project Officer and Project Manager to ensure their smooth and effective operations
• Lead the development of capacity building plans to all project staff
• Monitor project staff performance according to their job description and set objectives.
• Provide technical oversight and project cycle management training to staff, with an emphasis on staff capacity building.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Integrate MEAL approaches and activities into project plans and operations, outlining how MEAL will be implemented at each stage of the program cycle.
• Based on findings, lessons, feedback and assessment data generated from MEAL system, identify and utilize the best approaches to provide communities with relevant and actionable life-saving and life-enhancing activities and information.

Representation

• Represent the organization in-country
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community-based organizations and other sectors to enhance cooperation and coordination
• Attend any coordination meetings which are relevant to country projects
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the organizations Code of Conduct, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to internal and external actors

Fundraising

• Support the develop of a Gambia Country Funding strategy, working with the team to establish follow on and new funding from inside and outside of The Gambia
• Development of concept notes and proposal to support the expansion of our projects in country

Communication

• Ensuring communications strategy is in place for projects, working with WasteAid in the UK on ensuring appropriate and timely communications across all projects
• Ensuring wider team is aware and informed of projects in The Gambia – sharing best practice
• Development of knowledge pieces from our projects on what is working in The Gambia to drive the circular economy

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree in related field is preferred. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate
• Typically, 5+ years of relevant and progressive NGO project and personnel management experience in development contexts, including a minimum of 2 years of international work experience in an operations management role
• Experience in donor compliance, experience in managing EU funding an advantage
• Experience in working with international and national teams
• Experience in capacity building of staff and local partners
• Ability to support implementation of HQ strategies and best practice
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustration
• Ability to relate to and motivate staff effectively
• Good networker. Ability to work collaboratively with donor agencies, international organizations, and other foreign and domestic government officials and partners
• Excellent presentation skills; ability to represent WasteAid at national fora
• Excellent decision-making skills.
• Team player and strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Proficient in computer applications, especially with MS Word and MS Excel, MS PowerPoint

Desired

• Experience in working consortium.
• Experience in working in market based approaches
• Experience in working in composting
• Specific experience working with EU as a donor
• Skills and knowledge in program sustainability and capacity building, public private partnerships and project monitoring and evaluation (both quantitative and qualitative methods)