Project Manager - Kitgum, Uganda

(Only open to Ugandan nationals)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent humanitarian organization working to provide durable solutions and promote human security.

In Uganda, DRC works in north, north-western, south-western and north-eastern regions in a range of emergency/development support for the communities in need with the aim of saving lives and creating livelihoods (for more information go to www.drc.dk).

Duty Station

This position is based in Kitgum, Acholi Sub – Region. The Project Manager will be required to frequently travel within the Kitgum, Lamwo and Agago districts, and occasional travel to other parts of the country.

General Objective

The Project Manager manages all aspects of DRC’s rural infrastructure development project in the three districts of Kitgum, Lamwo and Agago.  This includes program management, including financial and administrative responsibility for the projects.

As the Head of office for the Acholi Sub – Region, the Project Manager represents the Danish Refugee Council in the three districts and has the direct responsibility for the management, implementation and continued development of DRC rural infrastructure development project in this area. Furthermore, the Project Manager has financial and administrative responsibility for the projects, and is also responsible for the planning and implementation of adequate security precautions within the program area to ensure the safety of all staff and assets. The Project Manager directly supervises DRC’s program and support staff based in these three districts.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

The Project Manager is responsible for the following detailed tasks within the framework of DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (including the Code of Conduct, The DRC Assistance Framework, the DRC Programme Manual and administrative guidelines), approved program documents, donor contracts and applicable laws of the Republic of Uganda:

Project management

• Oversee and conduct strategic planning and development of DRC program in the three districts.
• Develop annual, bi-annual and quarterly project work plans for the projects being implemented in the districts.
• Develop implementation plans and corresponding budgets for the infrastructure projects being implemented.
• Supervise proper and timely implementation of infrastructure projects in consultation with Donors, district authorities and technical staff, and other stakeholders, and according to agreed policies and donor requirements.
• Supervise relevant beneficiary data collection and relevant assessments in the project area.
• Prepare regular required Donor reports as per agreed formats and to the highest quality required.
• Provide feedback to the management on general policy matters, program activities and external relations to the DRC Country Director in Kampala, based on agreed formats and schedules.
• Provide input for the continued further development of DRC in the region.
• Together with the program development team and DRC Country Director identify opportunities for further development in the region

• Responsible for the management of the infrastructure project budget, financial management including timely expenditure control, budget follow ups and reports in consultation with Head of Finance and Administration.
• Responsible in ensuring DRC financial procedures, guidelines and corruption control is maintained in the field offices.
• Responsible for ensuring adherence to correct procurement and logistical procedures in the field offices.
• Directly responsible for supervising the infrastructure coordinators in the three districts and the support team based in Kitgum.
• Responsible for recruitment planning and leading recruitment of required field staff in consultation with the HR department.
• Responsible for staff development including target setting, performance appraisal, early identification and timely addressing of HR issues in the field offices.

• Maintain cordial relations with the Donors, relevant UN organizations in the region, district political and technical units, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders/partners.
• Ensure efficient coordination with stakeholders relevant to the implementation of rural infrastructure project, including other humanitarian and development actors in the area.
• In consultation with the Grants Manager and the Country Director, ensure timely narrative and financial reporting to donors.

Position reporting line

The Project Manager is responsible and reports to the Country Director.

Qualifications and qualities

• Minimum Masters Degree in any of the following: community development, civil engineering, social work, social administration (rural construction background is preferable).
• Experience on working with donor funded projects preferably DANIDA.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in labor based interventions (cash for work).
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and coordination in the field of infrastructure engineering.
• Being a strong team player and ability to work well with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people.
• Ability and flexibility to travel within the Acholi Sub – Region.
• Fluency in Acholi an added advantage.

Conditions for the positions

• The position is contract based.
• Remuneration and benefits are as per DRC Uganda standard salary scale and benefit package.

Expected start date: 5^th January 2015

Application and CV

Applications should be in English and include the following:

1. A cover letter (1 page) in which you explain why you are interested in the position and how you meet the qualities and qualifications criteria and salary expectations. 
2. Concise and accurate CV (maximum 3 pages). The CV should include information about your qualification, relevant training courses, work experience, name and contact details of 3 relevant references.

We only accept online applications. Go to www.drc.dk > About DRC > Vacancies > Current Vacancies and find the job on the list and press the apply button.

The deadline for submission of applications is the 3rd December 2014.

We thank applicants for their interest in the position however; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have problems uploading your application, please contact job@drc.dk.