French-Speaking Senior Project Manager, Washington, D.C.

Company Profile: Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries, including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Position Summary:

MSI seeks a Francophone Senior Project Manager to manage, coordinate, and direct the home office administration of complex international development projects for a leading U.S. contractor. This includes the implementation of quality projects in a timely, efficient, and cost effective manner.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Senior Project Manager typically manages the administrative and contractual parts of the project, and typically possesses specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to use independent judgment in the performance of his/her duties and be capable of carrying out work with little guidance or supervision. This individual is a self-starter: bright, motivated, and dynamic. Additionally, this position requires proven experience and knowledge of USAID ADS, AIDAR and business practices. We are also looking specifically for an individual with grants and cost-share background.

Supervision Received and Exercised:
Receives general direction from the Chief Management Officer and Director of Project Management.

Examples of Duties:
Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for the financial management of large portfolio of international projects. Develop, recommend, and maintain accurate and current project budgets. Manage cost and quality controls in all project activities. Assist in development of procedures, policies, recordkeeping, and duties as required related to overall administration of projects, including procurement;

• Work with other departments, public agencies, subcontractors, and independent consultants on the implementation of complex project tasks, programming, and other activities for assigned projects.

• Help to identify appropriate computer systems as needed;

• Direct the work of other staff and contract consultants retained to provide particular expertise in project studies, programming, development, design, or management. Participate in, or manage the selection of, hiring and development of these individuals. Act as the firm’s representative in assisting consultants;

• Plan, prepare, and communicate schedules and progress records of projects’ activities and expenditures, and assist others in establishing project schedules and milestones. Develop critical path or project flow diagrams to plan, set and evaluate progress on project tasks;

• Establish systems for efficient management of subcontractor activities;

• Review, analyze, and prepare reports and other correspondence on all activities and transactions related to assigned tasks, and provide timely information and status updates on assigned tasks. Prepare and present comprehensive administrative, fiscal, statistical and technical studies, reports, evaluations, specifications and correspondence as required;

Other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

Demonstrable experience in:

• USAID contracting, grants, and cost-share;

• USAID ADS, AIDAR and other USG international regulations;

• Project Management procedures for planning and processing international development projects, and for establishing plans, specifications, monitoring and management of the development projects;

• Cost estimating and tracking and scheduling for international development projects;

• Computer applications specifically related to capital project management, such as MS Project and MS excel;

• Principles and practices of personnel supervision and management.

Ability to:

• Keep complex projects on schedule and within budget;

• Coordinate and supervise complex international development projects;

• Accurately analyze situations and problems relating to complex projects, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement an effective course of action in accordance with general policy and pertinent codes and regulations;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of performing assigned responsibilities;

• Read and interpret highly complex written material such as technical reports, contracts, and federal regulations;

• Prepare contract documents for professional services and projects and monitor performance;

• Assess plans and design concepts for the most complex projects;

• Utilize all commonly-used project management software and project record systems;

• Supervise and train assigned staff.

Experience and Education Guidelines:

• This is not an entry level position and requires a minimum of five years of experience in international development, with three to five years of overseas experience;

• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public or business administration, international development, project management, or a related field.

Language Requirement:
Fluency in French.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

To apply, please visit our website: www.msiworldwide.com.