Project Director

Job Posting Organization:
The organization responsible for this job posting is CARE, a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting global poverty and providing disaster relief. Established in 1945, CARE operates in over 100 countries, focusing on empowering women and girls, improving health and education, and addressing the root causes of poverty. With a workforce of thousands of employees and numerous partners, CARE aims to create lasting change in the communities it serves, particularly in vulnerable regions such as West Africa and the Sahel.

Job Overview:
The Project Director will play a crucial role in the CARAVAN project, which aims to enhance the resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral households in the Central Corridor of West Africa and the Sahel. This position involves strategic leadership, programmatic coordination, and operational management across seven countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, and Togo. The Project Director will be based at the Regional Hub for Expertise and Exchange (PEER) in Lomé and will coordinate a consortium of organizations, including CARE and various national partners. The role requires ensuring the coherence of interventions, maintaining high-quality implementation, and achieving the project's four main outcomes. Additionally, the Project Director will represent the project to the European Commission and chair the Steering Committee responsible for strategic direction and performance monitoring.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Director will be responsible for several key areas:

• Strategic Leadership and Adaptive Management: Lead the vision of the CARAVAN program, ensuring alignment with its theory of change and core priorities. Oversee the launch phase, adapt program priorities based on the evolving context, and integrate key themes such as gender, youth, and resilience into all activities.
• Governance and Operational Coordination: Lead the Project Steering Committee, ensuring strategic alignment and coherence among countries. Provide leadership and performance monitoring for zonal and thematic managers, ensuring coordinated implementation across regions.
• Representation and External Relations: Manage relations with the European Commission and key ministries, representing the program in regional platforms to enhance influence.
• Financial Oversight and Accountability: Oversee the program budget, ensuring compliance with EU rules and rigorous financial management. Monitor expenditures and establish a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system to inform decision-making and program adaptation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong leadership skills, with a proven ability to manage complex projects and coordinate diverse teams. Experience in program management within the humanitarian or development sector is essential, along with a deep understanding of the socio-political context in West Africa and the Sahel. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to effectively engage with stakeholders and represent the project externally. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and resilience-building in vulnerable communities.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in international development, public administration, or a related field is required. Candidates with a background in social sciences, environmental studies, or humanitarian assistance will also be considered. Advanced training in project management, financial oversight, and monitoring and evaluation is highly desirable.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 7-10 years of experience in project management, with a focus on international development or humanitarian assistance. Experience working in West Africa or similar contexts is preferred, along with a track record of successfully leading multi-stakeholder initiatives and managing large budgets.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory, as these are the primary languages of communication within the project and with stakeholders. Proficiency in local languages spoken in the project areas would be an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve travel to various project sites across the seven countries. The contract duration is typically aligned with the project timeline, and candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that may require adaptability to changing circumstances. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and organizational standards.