Junior Project Manager Nicaragua

Company Description

WeWorld, recently constituted from the merger of two NGOs, is an Italian secular and independent organization working since 1971 in international cooperation and humanitarian aid. Present in 29 countries with 128 projects, WeWorld operates in the following areas of assistance: human rights (gender equality, prevention and combating violence against children and women, migration), humanitarian aid (prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation), food security, access to water, health and hygiene, education, global citizenship education, quality teaching and international volunteering. WeWorld works mostly with girls, boys, women and youth, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world. Supports people overcoming emergencies and guarantees a life with dignity, opportunities and a better future through human and economic development programs, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Joining the WeWorld team means being part of the development of a dynamic organisation where the contribution of each staff member is promoted and valued, working together towards the collective achievement of shared goals and vision. At present, the main donors are Italy (AICS), the EU (DG ECHO), UNICEF, OCHA, and Belgium (DGD).

Position

Position: Junior Project Manager Nicaragua

Location: Managua, Nicaragua

Type of contract: a first 3 (three) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Country Representative upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 9 (nine) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first three months of contract.

Deadline: 16/03/2023

Starting date: April 2023

Gross Salary: to be defined according to the candidate’s profile

Family Duty Station: Yes

R&R: No

Working context

WeWorld has been working for 30 years in the Central American and Caribbean region through humanitarian aid programmes with specific expertise in post-emergency rehabilitation, rehabilitation and livelihood protection for vulnerable populations in close coordination with local authorities, civil society actors and the population. WeWorld has been present in Nicaragua since 1984, when the civil war that hit the country after the 1979 Sandinista revolution began. In more than three decades, WeWorld has maintained a constant presence in the country’s most impoverished areas of the country, such as the Región Autónoma Costa Caribe Norte (RACCN) or regions predominantly in the north-central agricultural sector, including Chinandega, Matagalpa, Jinotega, participating in rural development projects, defending human rights and children in particular, strengthening feminist movements, fighting climate change and managing risk.

Job description

The Junior Project Manager will be responsible for the successful implementation of activities, providing guidance to the project team in achieving the agreed goals within in the respect of time, quality and budget standards. In addition, it is required to support the Country Representative in expanding the action of WeWorld in Nicaragua.

Main tasks and Responsibilities

Project Management:

· Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Country Representative

· Provide supervision, guidance, coordination and monitoring of the project staff, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities and encouraging effective team work

· Contribute to the development, upgrade and implementation of an appropriate and effective strategy for the involved sectors of intervention

· Participate in project evaluations and assist in the analysis of the results, assess project impact and effective use of resources

· Provide quality advise to the donors on issues that may impact the achievement of project outcomes

· Supervise quality and transparency of the data reported

· Other tasks as requested by the line manager

Coordination and Representation:

· Ensure relations with partners and local government

· Support in the establishment and maintenance of relations with other NGOs

· Ensure constant and cooperative relation with Donors

· Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned project staff, and relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships

· Participate in coordination meetings, representing WeWorld and feeding back the Country Representative with relevant issues and updates

· Organize relevant meetings/presentations to the relevant stakeholders (especially for soft component activities) and follow up the implementation

· Participate in internal coordination meetings held in WeWorld Offices

· Participate in the monthly PM meeting called by Donors

HR Management:

· Participate in the recruitment process and training of team staff as required by project plans with Country Representative

· Lead and motivate the project team by building a collaborative work environment

· Ensure proactive attitude and inputs towards identification of training for staff

· Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established

· Ensure that performance reviews are conducted

Monitoring of project activities and Administrative:

· Definition of the monitoring plan and specific tools to assess the progress of the project

· Monitoring of activities implementation and of results/objectives achievement through field visits, meetings with partners and stakeholders, data collection and analysis

· Manage the project budget and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet WeWorld standards with regard to financial management, including accountability and good governance, in strict collaboration with WeWorld Administrator in Nicaragua and in HQ

· Ensure that all expenditures comply with WeWorld Financial Rules and Regulations

Reporting and Accountability:

· Setting up and monitoring of periodic (monthly) internal reporting to be filled in by partner and project staff

· Drawing up of narrative and financial reports, interim and final (in collaboration with WeWorld local office and headquarters) to be sent to the donor in compliance with agreed procedures and time schedule

· Prepare activity/project reports and analysis of the data collected on a regular basis or upon request

· Support on technical, financial and any other report upon request

· Provide regular reports/updates to the Country Representative on all activities carried out

· Any other task not here listed and necessary to the projects and activities

· During, or at the end of the assignment, provide a proper handover

Requirements

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge

· Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, economics, international affairs or related field required

· Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Spanish

· Fluent knowledge of written and spoken English

· Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Professional experience

· At least 2 years of professional humanitarian/development experience

· Previous experience in coordination

· Proved experience in managing projects funded by UN, UE, AICS

· Proven experience in grants management

· Experience in donor reporting and proposal development

· Experience in project management with public institutions

Skills and Abilities

· Demonstrable program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills

· Ability to assess needs and write new project proposal

· Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent We World in consortium, clusters and with donors

· Strong negotiation skills

· Leadership, planning, organization and teamwork skills

· Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands

· Proactive and dynamic attitude

· Ability to adapt and work under constraint, under pressure and in complex and multicultural contexts

· Interpersonal skills and intercultural approach

· Good listening and communication skills

· Good negotiation and conflict resolution skills

· Positive attitude to work, self-reflective, motivated, inspired, collegial

· Strong commitment to the Mission of WeWorld, genuine interest for international cooperation development topics

· Demonstrates integrity with regards to NGO values and ethical standards

· Displays cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

· Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Desirable

· Previous experience in Nicaragua

· Knowledge of Italian language

Other information

The recruitment process may be closed early if a suitable candidate is found. Due to the large number of applications, we apologise in advance and will only respond to those profiles deemed suitable for the role.

WeWorld is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

WeWorld has also a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a child or a vulnerable adult by any of our staff, related persons or partners. Safeguarding checks are part of the selection process.

WeWorld commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal records checks or check disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.

WeWorld promotes a welcoming, diverse and discrimination- and harassment-free workplace and expects the highest standards of behaviour from all its staff, who are requested to adhere to the principles and behavioural rules defined in the CoEC and the Organisational Policies.

The CoEC and all the internal policies can be found here: https://www.weworld.it/en/about-us/transparency