PROJECT COORDINATOR AT WASTEAID

Job reference: EU GCCA+ Project Coordinator

Reporting to: Head of Programmes and Impact, WasteAid**

Location: Kanifing Municipal Council Offices, Kanifing, The Gambia

Contract Length: fixed term of 10 months, with potential for extension depending on funding

Start date: Immediately

WasteAid offers competitive terms of employment.

MAIN DUTIES

You will lead the coordination of a new project to be implemented by three partners: WasteAid (WA), Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and Women’s Initiative The Gambia (WIG).

The project is funded through the EU’s GCCA+ Climate Resilient Coastal and Marine Zone Project for The Gambia, which aims to: support the implementation of recommendations set out in the ICZM Management and Strategic Plans (Jan 2016) and the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) implementation plan for the Gambia (April 2016); and to enhance institutional governance enabling planning and implementation of improved climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation measures in the Coastal and Marine Zones of the Gambia.

Additionally, the project intends to widen partnership with non-state actors (NSA) and to further integrate women’s rights and gender equality issues into local climate adaption plans. Our project falls under theme 4: reduction and transformation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials and promoting use of alternative bio-resources (bio-fuel) and associated appropriate technologies.

The project aims to build climate resilience through the sustainable management of biodegradable wastes in Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia. Food waste from markets is currently disposed at Bakoteh dumpsite, where it attracts vermin that spread disease and generates methane, a potent climate change gas. This project will collect food waste from markets and transfer it to local women’s gardens. The gardeners will be offered training to convert the food waste safely into useful products including compost and biochar (for soil health) and charcoal briquettes (a sustainable cooking fuel).

By collecting and processing biodegradable wastes in a sustainable way, this project will reduce climate change emissions, preserve natural resources, protect public health and improve livelihoods.

Each partner plays a distinct role in the project. KMC will lead on ensuring the necessary infrastructure, collection system and transfer of organic matter from Kanifing’s markets to local women’s gardens. WIG will lead on the sensitisation programme necessary to support the change in behaviour by markets vendors to correctly sort their waste. WasteAid, as the grant holder, will coordinate the project as well as support technical and training elements of the project.

SPECIFIC TASKS

· REPRESENTATION: You will need to be able to represent WasteAid and the project to a diverse range of stakeholders including partner staff, potential project participants, partners and donors.**

· COORDINATION: You will need to strengthen relationships across the three project partners and coordinate with them for the timely, high quality implementation of the project. You will lead regular coordination meetings, maintain good communication and proactively address any issues arising.

· PROJECT MANAGEMENT: You will need to ensure the project is implemented by all parties in line with the proposal, plans and budget, as per WasteAid and EU policy and procedure. This will entail careful oversight and working adaptively. You will liaise with the donor as required.

· FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: You will work with partners to regularly review the budget and actual expenditures and update forecasts in line with project activity to maintain financial oversight of the project. You will work with partners to ensure they provide the required financial reporting and supporting materials and are undertaking correct financial procedures. You will link with the Head of Finance and Administration to undertake capacity building as needed.

· REPORTING: You will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the project, supported by the Head of Programmes and Impact and including developing frameworks and collecting and analysing data. You will also receive and collate partner data and reports for periodic reporting to the donor, as well as for internal reports as required.

· ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFEGUARDING: You will be responsible for ensuring that project beneficiaries are aware of ways in which they can participate in the project and are able to raise issues if needed. You will fully engage with and abide by WasteAid’s safeguarding policy and codes of conduct and ensure that partners understand and follow all guidance and requirements.

· COMMUNICATIONS: You will provide engaging content for WasteAid’s communications team to promote our work and positive impact, linking with project stakeholders and beneficiaries as needed.

· OTHER: From time to time you may be asked to support other activities of the organisation, as appropriate e.g. development of new project proposals, contribution to evaluations, presenting to potential supporters, etc.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are seeking a confident and ambitious individual with the ability to engage community members, non-profit stakeholders and government officials and who can take initiative for the successful implementation of a new project to engage and support those who work with waste.

Essential

· A passion and commitment for the work of WasteAid.

· Fluent English, with an exceptionally high standard of writing.

· Educated to degree level – ideally in an environmental or international development related subject.

· Significant experience working in a low-income country, either on a community development or environmental project.

· A proven track record in project and financial management and reporting in an international development context, i.e. with institutional donor funding.

· Demonstrated excellence in engaging a range of stakeholders and coordinating diverse partners for a common goal, ranging from those in community-based organisations to senior council officials.

· Demonstrated excellence in managing complex relationships, with an understanding of the Principles of Partnership and demonstrated application of these in a multi-partner context.

· Networking, influencing and negotiating skills.

· Demonstrated application of beneficiary accountability and safeguarding.

· An ability to integrate and engage with a diverse partner base.

· A willingness to travel, work alone and take initiative as required.

· Excellent IT skills including MS Office Word and Excel.

· You must have the legal right to work in The Gambia.

Advantageous

· Prior project management of an EU grant.

· Experience with waste and recycling would be a bonus, with familiarity with waste collection processes and production of composting, biochar and charcoal briquettes.

· Experience in value chain creation / waste valorisation activities and market analysis.

· Familiarity with Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) surveys and sensitisation programme approaches.

· Fluent French would be advantageous to enable cross-learning with our projects in Francophone countries.