Project Manager for Markets and Private Sector Engagement at CRS Tanzania

CRS Tanzania seeks qualified candidates for the position of Project Manager for Markets and Private Sector Engagement on the SPICES project (Securing and Protecting Investments and Capacities for Environmental Sustainability) in Kilimanjaro and Tanga Regions.

This project aims to provide farming families with opportunities to rebuild their farming methods and use sustainable farming practices linked to growth and diversified markets to drive positive changes to their lives, livelihoods and landscapes. In partnership with smallholder farmers and selected private sector companies, the SPICES team will co-create, co-invest and provide technical assistance to generate inclusive high return business models in Tanzania to adapt the approach to local knowledge, local needs and to ensure local leadership which builds on experience in Madagascar.

CRS will also work in close collaboration with the Catholic Church via diocese and parishes to leverage some of its underutilized resources and assets to promote enterprise opportunities that both serve the mission of the Church and ensure income generation for youth.

As Project Manager you will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the SPICES project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ work serving the poor and vulnerable.

You will manage the development, implementation and consolidation of private sector engagement processes including tenders and matching grants for co-investments with anchor companies, business development services, small and medium enterprises, farmers organizations and linkages with internal and external buyers.

Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• You will lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities through most of the project cycle – start-up, implementation and close-out – in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Engage and strengthen partnerships relevant to agriculture and market systems, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors for agriculture and agroforestry.
• Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree in International Relations or in the field of agriculture/ agroforestry would be a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project management, ideally in the field of agriculture, market systems development, and/ or private sector engagement for an NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English and Swahili

Travel – This position will be based in Korogwe, Tanga. Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
  Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders.
• Representation abilities.
• Ability to contribute to written reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for USG or other public donors, a plus .
• Staff supervision experience.
• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposals, a plus.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal Head of Programming, Head of Operations/Supply Chain Manager, Finance Manager, Country Manager and MEAL Senior Project Officer, Regional Technical Advisor for Agriculture/ Livelihoods and Market Systems Development

External Private sector actors, local partners including local government authorities, peer agencies, and donors