Project Manager Full Time

Language: French

Starting Date: 25.11.2024

Period: 12 months

Reporting to:

• Country Program Director (1st Supervisor) and to the Country Representative (2nd Supervisor)
• Functionally report to donor/thematic focal point/s for each specific sector and donor/partner

Aim of the position:

The main role of the Project Manager is to provide overall project management with technical expertise to all activities relating to the implementation of the project “Cook Stoves in Congo Republic” financed and implemented in partnership with Eni. The Project Manager has the key responsibility of coordinating and ensuring the successful implementation and targets’ achievements of the project. This initiative pursues concurrent objectives:

1. Contributing to the overall Eni decarbonization targets through the generation of carbon credits by virtue of the utilization of cleaner and more efficient cooking devices by the local population. All credits generated will be registered and certified according to the highest standards provided by Verra, one of the most important international registries operating in the voluntary carbon market, such as VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) and SD Vista (Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard).
2. Bridging the gap of energy access in some areas in Congo Republic by promoting the adoption and sustained use of cleaner cooking technologies with a reduced impact on health, domestic finances and environment.
3. Promote local development through the strengthening of the Improved cook stoves local value chain (e.g. producers, promoters, distributors) and demand activation (e.g. behavioral change and awareness raising campaigns) in view of the long-term sustainability of the project.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Supervise and have the final responsibility for the implementation of all the project activities in accordance with the projected/approved proposal, budget, financial planning and time schedule in concert with Clean Cooking and Carbon Offsetting Programme Coordinator
• Be responsible for the achievement of all project targets and key performance indicators
• Contribute to the recruitment, orientation and training of the projects’ staff
• Coordinate projects staff, strengthen their capacity, autonomy and sense of responsibility; and contribute to their further professional development
• Coordinate all registration and monitoring activities on the field according to the selected international standard (e.g. VERRA) and to project/donor/partner (i.e ENI) requirements in concert with the Clean Cooking and Carbon Offsetting Programme Coordinator
• Be responsible for the application of AVSI logistic and administrative procedures for the assigned projects portfolio in concert with Operations Manager, Country Representative and, for any specific ENI’s requirements, with Clean Cooking and Carbon Offsetting Programme Coordinator
• Ensure quality and sustainability of project(s) results through strategic and operational planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning (continuous improvement)
• Promote nexuses and synergies with other national and international projects, programs, interventions
• Elaborate narrative reports as per donor and/or the selected international standard (e.g. VERRA) procedures and proactively support the preparation of financial reports including the collection and verification of the relevant project documentation
• Elaborate any other reports as required by AVSI, local authorities and/or donor and/or the selected international standard (e.g. VERRA)
• Maintain and develop proactive relationships with partners, local authorities and with all stakeholders involved
• Periodically interact with HQs focal points for coordinating and sharing new strategies, innovations, lessons learnt, criticalities, trainings, workshops etc.
• Share within AVSI worldwide network the most significant experiences and lessons learnt together with the thematic focal point
• Represent AVSI in relevant sectorial (energy and environment) coordination structures (i.e. Clusters and Working groups) and other meetings at provincial/national level
• Identify new funding proposals also with other donors and program
• Carry-out any other duties and/or responsibilities assigned by the supervisor
• Functionally report to donor/thematic focal point/s for each specific sector (e.g. Clean cooking) and donor/partner (i.e. for this specific project to the Clean Cooking and Carbon Offsetting Programme Coordinator).

Essential Requirements

Education:
-Bachelor’s degree in Environment and/or Energy sector studies, Rural Development, Economics, Management, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies or other related fields of study from a recognized university
-Master’s degree in relevant field would be an added advantage (business and economy/green economy, International Cooperation and Development. Energy engineering, etc.).

Work Experience:
• At least 2 years of experience in development/Humanitarian context
• At least 1 year of experience in clean cooking and carbon credits project implementation in Africa, experience in Renewable Energy, Efficient use of Energy, Energy access.

Language profiency:
-Fluent French and English (oral and written level C1).

Required skills and experiences

• Experience in coordinating international working teams
• Strong organizational skills and able to coordinate and manage a diverse array of activities and stakeholders
• Proficient knowledge of the standard IT software
• Excellent communication skill
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills and ability to work independently
• Report writing and computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, power point presentation and Internet
• Willingness to travel and work in rural areas for most of the times.

The following skills and experiences will be considered preferred:

• Experience in project implementation and management within local communities*
• Experience in community-based approaches and, particularly, in behavioral change promotion towards domestic cleaner cooking solutions in Africa
• Experience in conducting surveys, monitoring activities, managing data and statistics according to VERRA (or Gold Standard, or CDM) standard including social impacts
• Experience in community-based and/or behavioral change approaches
• Commercial and technical knowledge of clean cooking protocols is desirable.

Tagged as: Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale, Congo