Job Description

With the support of Expertise France's head office, the Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of the project and the operational and financial implementation of activities.

In general, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that the project's objectives are met. He/she supervises the implementation of activity plans and ensures their proper execution. He/she maintains permanent contact with project partners and ensures their involvement.

More specifically, his/her missions and responsibilities are as follows (non-exhaustive list):

Strategic and operational management of the project: coordination of project activities and representation to beneficiaries and all stakeholders.

• Represent Expertise France locally with the Ministry of Trade and Tourism and beneficiaries;
• Manage the technical and financial execution of the project from a contractual point of view, in liaison with EF's head office and in particular the culture and heritage department;
• Coordinate work with partners to ensure that the project's strategic orientations are properly implemented at operational level;
• Ensure compliance with the operational schedule;
• Draw up terms of reference (TOR) and manage consultancy assignments;
• Ensure quality control of project deliverables;
• Organize Steering Committee meetings and act as secretary;
• Monitor and evaluate the project.

Administrative and financial management, in close collaboration with the administrative and financial coordinator and Expertise France head office:

• Ensure that budget planning is consistent with operational planning;
• Monitor the quality of the project's overall administrative and financial follow-up;
• Establish a regular status report on commitments, disbursements and budget forecasts;
• Ensure compliance with procedures required by the donor and Expertise France (rules governing eligibility of expenditure, purchases, contracts, subsidies, reports, etc.);
• Supervise Expertise France's internal financial reporting (financial monitoring, budget forecasts and closings) and external reporting to the donor;
• Monitor compliance with procurement procedures (services, supplies, works, etc.) and contract execution;
• Supervise annual financial audits.

Institutional and partner relations, governance and reporting:

• Assume direct responsibility for the proper conduct of institutional relations with partners and stakeholders in line with the project's objectives;
• Ensure the proper governance of the project; ensure the proper circulation of information and integrate each player in a relevant and balanced way, according to their respective roles;
• Organize and supervise Steering Committee meetings, and ensure that these governance bodies are as constructive and effective as possible in achieving the project’s results;
• Ensure the project's complementarity with other national and multilateral initiatives on the theme, and develop synergies;
• Prepare interim and final activity reports (narrative and financial), according to contractual terms and deadlines.

The project

Somaliland is home to an exceptionally rich and diverse cultural heritage. The Laas Geel rock shelters stand out, bearing witness to the region's prehistoric history through thousand-year-old cave paintings. Numerous other archaeological sites are scattered throughout the territory.

Despite the challenges posed by its unrecognized political status, Somaliland is committed to preserving this precious cultural heritage.

The 30-month project aims to ensure the long-term preservation of Somaliland's heritage, while fostering local economic development and the promotion of local cultural heritage, with priority given to the Laas Geel site.

- objective 1: Strengthen local and institutional capacities for heritage protection;

- objective 2: Protect, conserve and promote the Laas Geel site in an inclusive manner;

- objective 3: Raise awareness and involve the local population in the management and preservation of Laas Geel's cultural and tourist heritage.

Two components will implement these objectives: (i) technical assistance for the protection of Somaliland's heritage and (ii) activities to protect and enhance the Laas Geel site. For this purpose, a grant will be awarded by the Agence Française de Développement to Expertise France. The project will be implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of the Trade and Tourism of Somaliland and will closely involve local communities.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Master's degree in international cooperation, project management, political science, culture and heritage or other relevant field;
• Excellent project management skills - if possible with experience on projects financed by the Agence Française de Développement;
• Excellent writing and reporting skills in English and French (drafting of technical, strategic or activity reports linked to project implementation, drafting of briefing notes or articles);
• Fluency in English and French;
• Ability to adapt, sense of organization and anticipation;
• Very good analytical skills, particularly with regard to the institutional and political context;
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Professional experience

• At least 10 years' previous experience in the management and planning of international cooperation and/or technical assistance of projects, preferably in the field of culture and heritage;
• At least 5 years' experience as project or team leader on a large-scale institutional technical assistance or capacity-building project;
• Appetence for the cultural and heritage sector;
• Knowledge of the region (asset).

Other info

Starting date: January 2024

Duration of the Project: 30 months

Remuneration: according to current HR grid, CDDU contract

Skills Required

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