Myanmar: Livelihoods Project Manager

Jan 15, 2019 | Relief International
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Relief International is a leading nonprofit organization working in 16 countries to relieve poverty, ensure well-being and advance dignity. RI specializes in fragile settings, responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and chronic poverty. Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. RI’s signature approach —the RI Way—emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships and a focus on civic skills. In this way, RI empowers communities to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.

 Position Summary: 

The Project Manager will directly support the planning and implementation of development projects focused on the livelihoods sector in central Rakhine, Myanmar. The multi-year RI projects are funded by the European Union, LIFT (multi-donor trust fund), USAID and DIFID. The overall purpose of the role is to ensure a streamlined and coherent approach to the RI Livelihoods support in Central Rakhine, that has a solid technical footing, and is grounded in do-no-harm principles and aims to promote social cohesion. The manager should collaborate closely with the respective Government departments and provide technical direction to project staff and partners.

The RI livelihoods programme provides for extensive TVET training (accredited by State level authorities), set up and operation of a TVET centre and business incubator and delivery of entrepreneurship training in target local communities. The manager should also closely collaborate with local partner organisations for the delivery of micro-credit schemes. Livelihoods Project Manager reports to Programme Manager – Livelihoods and Community Development and is based in Sittwe, with frequent travel to Mrauk U and Myebon townships.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

The duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Technical Assistance and Management

• Lead role in the planning and implementation of the RI livelihoods activities in Central Rakhine, including the design of the TVET training programme, set-up and operation of the TVET centre and business incubator, and delivery of entrepreneurship trainings;
• Collaborate closely with other international and national actors in the livelihoods sector, including representing RI at livelihoods sector and other related working groups and other stakeholder or coordination meetings;
• Develop work plans and budget management according to project outputs and results;
• Manage a team of national staff and international/national consultants to complete project goals on time and in line with the budget;
• Provide program reports that are timely and meet institutional and donor requirements;
• Work constructively with support teams to ensure sound administrative practices with regards to record keeping, compliance with donor regulations, communications, etc;
• In coordination with Programme Manager, support technical design/review/development of proposals and projects relevant to the sector;
• Frequent travel across the targeted sites to attend to projects’ needs and provide technical backstopping and/or recommendations to support the teams.

Technical Direction, Project Monitoring

• Review the short and long range plans for delivery of project services, and provide guidance to the RI staff and/or local partners to improve planning, management and delivery;
• Proactively support development and revision of MEL system linked to indicators, and information management, in close coordination with MEL team;
• Analysis of program databases to report on key indicators. Advise on improved methodologies when applicable;
• Lead development of learning documents and case studies that support routine country-level, interagency and/or donor reporting as appropriate;
• Propose and implement capacity building activities aimed at enhancing skills of local staff and/or partners in delivery of livelihoods activities.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• This position requires a dynamic individual, “outside-the-box” attitude, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.
• Advanced degree in international development, economics or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years professional experience leading, managing, and implementing livelihoods based programs, preferably in areas experiencing inter-ethnic tensions;
• History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments.
• Prior experience with bilateral funding agencies is required, especially EC, USAID and DFID.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills required;
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English are required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently;