Project Director, West Africa

Position title: Project Director, West Africa Position location: Accra, Ghana or Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Reports to: CECI-WUSC Consortium
Contract term: 2 year contract renewable, starting April 11, 2016
Application deadline: April 3, 2016

Background:

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization with a mission to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. We are a network of professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders who, together, provide opportunities to some of the world’s most disadvantaged youth. Our programs and services improve access to and quality of education, expand employment opportunities and foster empowerment for youth. We work with and through our southern partners – government, civil society and the private sector.

Centre for International Studies in Cooperation (CECI) is a leader within an international network of partners combating poverty and exclusion. Our main area of expertise is in the building of development capacity of local partners in 4 main areas: sustainable economic development, food security, human security and emergency response, and gender equality. Present in several countries, the CECI contributes to improving the conditions of thousands of people and changing lives, every day.

WUSC and CECI have formed a consortium led by WUSC for the design and implementation of a multi-year initiative (2016-2021) that will enhance the governance of the extractive sector and maximize its contribution to sustainable economic and social development in three West African countries (Ghana, Guinea and Burkina Faso).

Nature and Scope:

The Project Director oversees the strategic and operational implementation of WUSC and CECI’s regional initiative in West Africa. The Project Director manages relationships with key stakeholders, including with the Governments of partner countries, local partners, the private sector and the funder.

Reporting to the Consortium Management Committee comprised of the Director of Programs at WUSC and CECI, the Project Director, West Africa will:

Technical Direction & Project Management

• Provide technical and managerial direction and guidance to the initiative, in line with the project’s expected outcomes;
• Develop key project planning deliverables (i.e. Initiative Inception Plan, Annual Workplan) using results based management approaches and tools;
• Develop specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (capacity building, gender equality, private sector engagement, environmental sustainability) for the initiative;
• Maintain open and effective communication amongst the consortium and project team members in Canada and West Africa;
• Oversee day-to-day coordination and delivery of project activities in conjunction with staff, volunteers and partners;

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Establish and oversee a results monitoring system for the project;
• Regularly monitor progress towards results, ensuring appropriate course correction and iterative management;
• Work with team members to produce regular reports to key stakeholders, including the donor agency;
• Maintain regular communication with WUSC and CECI colleagues in Canada to ensure appropriate support;

Human Resources & Volunteer Management

• Manage the project teams in Ghana, Guinea and Burkina Faso;
• Supervise, guide and evaluate the work of project staff and consultants;
• Oversee human resources management issues such as employment policies and practices, in line with local law;
• Work with colleagues and partners to ensure the effective mobilization, orientation and coaching of volunteers;

Financial & Office Management

• Establish and oversee a financial management system for the project;
• Ensure that the project complies with relevant local taxation, banking controls, and labour laws;
• In conjunction with the finance team, develop and monitor the project budget and ensure regular reporting to the donor;
• Recruit, maintain and direct the required administrative and project infrastructure of staff, field offices and equipment as well as making decisions on administrative policy, planning and procedural matters;

Risk Management & Security Preparedness

• Actively assess the risk profile of the initiative; identify specific risks and appropriate mitigation strategies;
• Ensure the application and relevancy of WUSC/ CECI security policies, procedures and preparedness to the operational context of the project in West Africa;

Donor Liaison & Coordination

• Establish a strong working relationship with the Donor, including planning, capacity building and information sharing;
• Convene Project Steering and Advisory Committees at regular intervals;
• Coordinate regularly with other development actors to ensure harmonization and synergy with similar initiatives;
• Represent the Project in official communication and fora.

Qualifications and Competencies:

Education

• A post-graduate university degree in international development, project management or a relevant field.

Experience and Competencies

• A minimum of ten years of progressively more responsible assignments related to management of development initiatives;
• A minimum of five years overseas working experience, preferably in West Africa;
• Proven knowledge and experience in natural resources management, economic development and local governance;
• Demonstrated capacity to work in cross-sectoral collaboration;
• Experience managing volunteers for development considered an asset;
• Experience working with donor agencies, including a solid understanding of Results Based Management (RBM) and environmental and gender policies and reporting requirements;
• Proven technical and financial managerial and administrative and organizational skills;
• Knowledge of donor financial and narrative reporting procedures and requirements;
• Proven experience managing a large, multi-disciplinary and international team of staff and volunteers;
• Diplomatic skills and the knowledge of cross-cultural, inter-personal communication;
• Proven experience of adaptability to a challenging and constantly changing environment requiring iterative planning on a regular basis;
• Proven knowledge of and commitment to the concepts of Gender Equality;
• Experience in capacity building with local partner organizations and a commitment to a participatory partnership approach to development.

Language

• Superior oral and written skills required in English and French. Bilingualism required.

HOW TO APPLY:

WUSC and CECI are equal opportunity employers. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you wish to apply for this position, please send your resumé with a covering letter quoting reference number 16/03 to: jobs@wusc.ca.**

No telephone calls please.