Project Manager

CBM Global Nepal Country Office seeks application from qualified and competent candidates for the position of Project Manager.

Job Overview and Core Purpose

The Project Manager is responsible for the management and implementation of Financial Autonomy and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities through Agriculture 2 (FAIDA2) Project, funded by Jerseys Overseas Aid (JOA), in line with the CBM Global Strategy, Nepal Country Strategy, donor requirements and within the CBM Global Programme Quality Framework and through appropriate Programme Management systems.

FAIDA2 aims to enhance the financial autonomy and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Chitwan District, Bagmati Province, Nepal by addressing systemic barriers to financial, agricultural, and livelihood support services. The core target group includes persons with disabilities on low incomes, with a focus on smallholder farmers, women, and youth. The project combines demand and supply side interventions, including training, advocacy, and capacity building and emphasizes knowledge transfer, use of digital financial services, and promotion of climate-smart agriculture to ensure sustainable and resilient livelihoods for persons with disabilities.

This position is responsible to oversee the project cycle management, partnership, project budget, communications, reporting, and M&E. S/he will manage collaboration among the consortium partners, lead capacity building of the project partners along with the Organisations of the Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and maintain liaison with the local stakeholders. S/he will act as a focal person for project implementation with donor, stakeholders, and partners on behalf of CBM Global.

Reports To: Programme Manager

Based: Chitwan

Hours: Full time

Contract: Fixed term till July 2028

Responsibilities and Duties

Project Management:

• Lead and supervise overall planning and implementation of the FAIDA2 project.
• Develop detailed project plans including timelines, monitoring expenditure against project budget and project plan, and oversee allocation of the resources accordingly.
• Ensure all project activities are delivered on time, within agreed scope and budget, while maintaining technical quality and standards. Any changes, potential delays or challenges must be flagged out on time for further interventions.
• Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources. 
• Collect technical information to analyse associated opportunities and risks and manage the risks identified in a timely manner in coordination with the line manager and CBM Project Delivery team.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the partners, understanding their strengths, capacities, needs, and potentials, and facilitate mutual collaboration and coordination among the partners.
• Liaise with all internal and external stakeholders of the project. Foster relations with OPDs, local government, cooperatives, banks, e-wallets, agri-vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure partners and stakeholders understand and are motivated to achieve project goals.
• Advocate for disability-inclusive financial services with national and local authorities.
• Represent CBM Global in forums and working groups on disability inclusion and financial autonomy in close coordination with line manager.
• Participate in technical meetings to maintain visibility among local authorities, NGOs, UN Agencies, and inter-governmental institutions.
• Contribute to the positive image and credibility of CBM Global by applying CBM Global mandate and values.
• Serve as the primary contact for partners on behalf of CBM Global.

Grant Management: 

• Manage project finances in close coordination with the Country Office Finance Unit.
• Oversee the execution of budget as per approved budget lines and donor compliance requirements.
• Monitor and work with stakeholders to identify project risks, anticipating challenges to project implementation and identify possible solutions ensuring mitigating actions are identified and implemented in a timely manner.
• Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:
• Oversee the development and implementation of robust M&E frameworks (including data collection) to measure project outcomes and impacts, ensuring alignment with organizational standards.
• Ensure monitoring of the technical quality of program interventions and accountability.
• Ensure observations and learnings from field monitoring visits are well documented and incorporated into project implementation.
• Support MEAL officer and project team in identifying best practices and lessons learned.

Reporting & communications:

• Prepare reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required. 
• Set up clear timelines for reporting to donor as well as internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow-up.
• Supervise the development and dissemination of project communication materials, including success stories, newsletters, and social media updates, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Ensure the effective communication of project objectives and achievements to a broad audience by overseeing the communication strategies and activities of the team.
• Maintain up to date project online information management system – Global Online.

Capacity building:

• Support partners in development and implementation of robust work plans, addressing issues, and taking timely remedial actions.
• Ensure partner and technical staff have knowledge and understanding of the relevant sectors including financial inclusion, disability inclusion, climate-smart agriculture, livelihoods, advocacy, and project cycle management.
• Identify training and capacity-building needs for partners and organize required trainings in coordination with the program team.
• Facilitate the development of a capacity building plan for partners and the project team based on the Partnership Assessment (PA).

Team Leadership:

• Act as a team lead of the consortia.
• Guide and support the entire project team including community facilitators and advisors.
• Conduct regular team meetings and provide ongoing mentorship to the project team.
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics.
• Conduct regular check-in with the team members under direct supervision and undertake performance appraisals in line with the established procedure.
• Ensure team members understand and adhere to the organization’s policies and guidelines.
• Ensure safeguarding and security procedures are respected by the project team.

Humanitarian Action:

• In case of an emergency in the country and the requirement of the organization, you should be flexible to deploy in the emergency response management initiatives as per the organization's needs.

Safeguarding: 

• Accountable for ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with CBM’s programmes, are safeguarded to the greatest extent possible.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance to all aspects of the CBMG Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, abuse and harassment policies and associated standards and procedures.
• Promote safeguarding among partners and ensure safeguarding is embedded in all stages of project cycle management.

Key outcomes expected from this role

• The project is delivered to an exemplary standard, successfully achieving all targets and outcomes as outlined in the project design.
• High-quality, timely reports are produced and submitted, effectively meeting the informational needs of all stakeholders.
• Problems and challenges are promptly identified and addressed, ensuring minimal disruption to project outcomes and maintaining progress towards goals.
• Project learnings are systematically identified, documented, and disseminated, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Effective collaboration with partners and stakeholders is fostered, ensuring smooth project implementation and the successful achievement of project outcomes through coordinated efforts.

Person Specification

All of the following requirements are Essential, unless marked with a * when they are Desirable.

Experience and knowledge

• Demonstrated expertise in project cycle management with a minimum of 5 years of experience managing large, complex, and multi-partner projects.
• Experience in managing agriculture and livelihoods project.
• Experience and knowledge of financial inclusion.
• Understanding of disability inclusion*.
• Understanding of fintech or digital financial services and climate-smart agriculture*.
• Understanding of donor compliance and regulations.
• A proven track record in effectively managing large and diverse teams.

Skills/competencies/personal qualities

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali. Knowledge of local dialects is an asset*
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
• Ability to advocate for policy changes and engage effectively with policymakers and other key stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management software.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically.
• Flexible approach to work demands and willingness to learn, change, and adapt.
• Willingness to abide by and display CBM Global core values in all aspects of work.

Qualifications, training, and education

• Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Agriculture, Economics or relevant field of study.

How to apply:

Closing date: 1st July 2024

Please follow this LINK to apply.

Please download the Application Form using the link above. Once completed, kindly upload it to the system along with your updated Curriculum Vitae (no more than two pages). There is space on the Application Form to include a cover letter, so there is no need to provide a separate cover letter.

For any queries or confusion, please write to recruitment.nepal@cbm-global.org

CBM Global is an equal opportunities employer, committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. People with disability, women, and candidates from marginalized groups are highly encouraged to apply.

We promote an inclusive and accessible work environment that supports all staff to thrive, with provision of reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities, where needed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Telephone inquiries will not be entertained.