Project Director Full Time

Terms of Reference

Job Title: Project Director

Location: Lesotho

ROLI Report to: Program Manager

Project: Supporting Safe and Inclusive Environments in Lesotho

Organization and Program Overview

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is a non-profit organization that implements legal reform programs. ABA ROLI has worked for over 25 years in more than 100 countries to promote the rule of law, advance human rights, strengthen judicial institutions, support legal professionals, and advance understanding of the law and rights of citizens by the public. To this end, ABA ROLI has established partnerships with a wide range of actors, including institutions in the justice sector (judges, prosecutors, public defense offices, mediation offices and national human rights institutions, investigators, and police), civil society organizations, bar associations, legal aid organizations, and lawyers, among others.

ABA ROLI is hiring a Project Director (PD) to support a proposed program in Lesotho, a potential US Department of Labor-funded grant which is aimed at reinforcing the Government of Lesotho’s (GOL) efforts to promote occupational safety and health (OSH) and counter discrimination and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the world of work.

Job Summary

The candidate will serve as Project Director (PD) in Lesotho and will be responsible for the implementation and overall management of all aspects of the Supporting Safe and Inclusive Environments in Lesotho program. The PD has the leadership role in overseeing field-based program staff and compliant high-quality program(s) implementation, focused on achieving program goals. S/he will lead the country team’s coordination of activities with all relevant actors, including donor(s), host government representatives, key stakeholders, and implementing partners.

The PD may also oversee the management and performance of sub-awardees for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of program activities in collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) Lead.

In close collaboration with the PMU lead, the PD actively participates in business development efforts, capturing needs, liaising with stakeholders and donors, drafting proposal pieces for the HQ team review, providing technical input on concept notes and proposals responsive to the unique legal, political, and operational climate of the assigned country.

The Project Director is responsible for managing all personnel under his/her/their authority including ensuring compliance with all ABA policies and systems.

Principal Duties/Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Safe and Inclusive Environments in Lesotho project and that all programmatic requirements are being met/exceeded according to the ABA, ROLI, and grantor requirements.
• Actively applies knowledge of international development industry practices, actors, and trends as well as expertise in rule of law and/or adjacent field to design and implement international programs and interfaces effectively with donors, headquarters staff, and local counterparts.
• Applies fundamental program management principles, practices, and standards and knowledge of the program cycle, from assessment to design and implementation through evaluation in the management of technical and financial aspects of programs.
• Provides flexible, adaptive, and responsive leadership and management for the program.
• Represents ABA CGP in presentations/briefings to donors, government officials, partners and law practitioners, both within and outside of the host country.
• In close consultation with the PMU lead, is actively involved in the startup and close out of multi-year field programs, which might include sub-awardees, on schedule. Manages technical and financial aspects of programs to meet targets while effectively utilizing donor funds.
• Sets a high standard for accountability and quality in program performance and reporting. Ensures processes for monitoring and reporting are in place for successful implementation. Regularly reviews progress reporting against targets. Emphasizes tracking of progress against accomplishment of program outcomes. Approves data for reporting period in assigned country in accordance with all ABA policies and systems.
• Sets an example for the program in seeking evidence and incorporating evidence in decision making. Ensures program data is used for reflection and adaptations are proposed based on learning. Provides senior manager level review to evaluation and learning deliverables of the program.
• Maintains in-country donor relationships and leads donor and key partner conversations on important programmatic activities in collaboration with headquarters team. In collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) lead, develops strategic partnerships and establishes and enhances effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners (e.g., local bar association, law schools, NGOs, civil society, governmental agencies, UN, INGOs, etc.) to fulfill program objectives within cost constraints.
• Stays abreast of latest innovations in rule of law programming or adjacent fields. In close collaboration with the PMU lead, meets with new and potential donors and staff to assess ABA’s opportunity for new programming, either through expansion of current agreements or development of new agreements.
• Under PMU Lead’s close guidance actively seeks and captures new business opportunities in the assigned country and keeps HQ staff informed about them. Works with the PMU and BD team to provide input and advice for the development of technical proposals for grant/contract applications. Contributes to technical and cost proposals.
• In collaboration with the PMU lead, trains program staff and external stakeholders on ROL and/or adjacent issues related to the program(s) managed.
• Reviews and advises on program activities to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, and periodic program highlights.
• Drafts, reviews, and manages budgeting and financial reports for field office staff and operations. This includes but is not limited to Expense Reports, timekeeping systems, HQ financial reporting and requests, and budgets for cost extensions, and new programs. Ensures that financial reporting requirements and deadlines are met. Exhibits ethical financial decision making in all aspects of operations.
• Oversees the local workforce to ensure that they adhere to ABA policies, systems, and procedures related to compliance requirements.   Applies donor rules and regulations, as well as the terms or conditions set forth by the donor found in the cooperative agreement/contract.
• Oversees the development of a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, as applicable and an organizational culture where ABA’s values are practiced.
• Works in tandem with HR Division on all staff matters, ensuring adherence to ABA HR policies, processes, and practices. Keeps abreast of local employment laws and HR trends in the assigned country.
• Manages staff and is responsible for staff performance evaluations, oversees staff timekeeping, is responsible for recruitment efforts in the assigned program(s).
• Ensures staff are aware and follow the labor law requirements set forth in the Local Office Policy Manual (LOPM) and is responsible for enforcement of the standards contained in the document.
• Ensures adequate oversight of HR matters, follows established recruitment processes and maintains sound HR practices, including management of HR files and Personally Identifiable information (PII), maintaining accurate time and attendance records; enforcing open and transparent recruitment processes; etc.
• Applies applicable GESI policies in the recruitment, management, and retention of staff.
• Reviews and approves the program(s) procurement documents following ABA procurement requirements. Understands and applies procurement industry standards and best value for goods and services.
• Ensures adherence to safety and security protocols including a basic understanding of cyber security principles.  Ensures staff are aware of and follow the safety and security protocols set forth in the Field Office Security Manual (FOSM). Carries out active drills and security protocols in collaboration with the PMU and HQ Security Director.
• Maintains an awareness and understanding of the economic, political, social, and security trends that have potential to impact the office’s operations and technical programing.  He/She/They shall be prepared to implement mitigation measures to minimize the impact on operations and technical programming.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

• Relevant university degree (Law, Project Management, Political Science, or other International Development-related field).
• Minimum seven years of experience in project management and managing operational and administrative duties for USG-funded projects or other donor funded projects with similar complexity.
• Proven experience establishing and maintaining systems for managing project operations, including overseeing the preparation and submission of project deliverables, stakeholder and risk management processes, cost and schedule controls, and sustainability planning and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing implementation of Monitoring & Evaluation systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Proven success in leading project teams that are responsible for achieving project objectives relevant to the project being funded under this cooperative agreement.
• Proven success in building and maintaining working relationships with all project stakeholders; engaging in coalition building; and empowering stakeholders to take ownership of key project outcomes for post-project sustainability of progress.
• Strong facilitation, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Experience working in Lesotho and/or elsewhere in Southern Africa.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required.

NB : Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Applications 

• Cover letter/motivation letter with salary expectations
• Curriculum vitae
• Three professional references (name, affiliation, email, and phone contact)

Candidates should submit their applications by email with the subject line « Project Director Lesotho » to [email protected] by August 25, 2023.

Only applications that are complete and sent by email will be considered. Only candidates whose applications are shortlisted will be contacted.