Project developer and project manager - Johannesburg, South Africa

Solidaridad Network is a civil society organization with nine regional offices in four continents specialized in sustainable supply chain development. Together with producer organizations, the business community, governments and civil society organizations, we create initiatives for sustainable trade with the ultimate goal that good economic, social and environmental practices become a normal part of the business.

For Solidaridad Southern Africa we are seeking a

Project developer and project manager

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa

Job purpose

This job requires a person to have a mutitude of skills, to be able to both develop projects and to be able to work within the fundraising arena, while also being able to project manage and implement certain aspects of solidaridad’s projects. Specifically the incumbent will:

• Provide assistance and expertise for development of new projects creating fair and sustainable supply chains, from producer to consumer, - the target beneficiaries are smallholders in Southern Africa.
• To carry out other tasks as required for the design and submission of successful project bids and grant applications,
• Project management and implementation of projects.
• Be able to work closely ith the with all stakeholders in the sector, from small holder farmers to big business, government, labour and grant funding agencies.

Key tasks

1. In conjunction with the Solidaridad Network Southern Africa team, to secure new projects for SolidaridadSA through:

• The provision of information and materials on potential new projects as requested by the SolidaridadSA Regional Director in the development of proposals and bids.
• Collaborative team working on new projects with the SolidaridadSA staff and Regional Director.
• Provision of written and oral presentations to support project development activities.
• Development and submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs), tenders and bids.
• Development of project ideas for and submission of grant applications.
• Identification of likely funding and grant sources for project ideas.
• Marketing of project ideas to potential funders through meetings and other activities.
• Development of working relationships and collaborations with other organisations to complement the work of SolidaridadSA.

2. Research project ideas and concepts in conjunction with the SolidaridadSA team, including:

• Research, analysis and provision of structured information as required for project activity.
• Preparation and delivery of written material required for the management of projects.
• Monitoring of financial information for specific project activity
• Monitoring of work to ensure targets are met and that outputs are of expected standard.
• Administration, supervision and management of some project activity and projects.
• Overseeing project staff
• Teamwork with other SolidaridadSA staff and associates as required.
• Personal knowledge of agriculture, standards and of smallholder initiatives throughout Southern African region.

3. General tasks Such other duties as the organisation may at times reasonably require.

Qualificattions and experience required

Essential

• A degree in Development or agriculture or any other relevant discipline
• Knowledge and expereience of working in sustainable agriculture and the smallholder sector and its applications within business in Southern Africa.
• Knowledge of agricultural markets both local and abroad
• Experience in project development and project management work.
• A knowledge of agricultural standards
• Domain knowledge in agricultural commodities: tea, cotton, fruit and soy
• Problem solving ability, and research and analysis skills and experience
• Good organisational skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal in English and preferably in afrikkans and an african language. Portoguese is also an advantage
• Flexibility, initiative, the ability to prioritise workloads and to respond to deadlines
• IT literacy: Microsoft Office and ability to master new applications
• Project management skills

Desirable

• A track record of successful submissions of grant applications and project bids
• Experience and successs in project delivery and in project management
• Numeracy Skills and knowledge of additional software packages
• Working knowledge of funding sources and potential project partners for project implementation, particularly in the Southern African context
• Agronomic expertise and experience
• A post graduate qualification

Terms of appointment, salary and other benefits

• The post is a one year renawable post dependent.
• The salary for this post will be commensurate with qualifications and experience
• SolidaridadSA offers the following benefits: pension provision, and a generous annual leave allowance.
• The incumbent will be expected to travel extensively within the southern African region and from time to time internationally

Note: Solidariad is an equal opporunity employer. We work regionally in Southern Africa and non South African applicants are welcome to apply. Solidariad reserves the right not to make any appointment during this process

Application process

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dorah Marema on dorah.marema@solidaridadnetwork.org .

To apply for the above post please send the following to SolidaridadSA:

1.Your CV.

2.A short motivation (1 page maximum) in support of your application demonstrating how you meet the requirements of this post, and citing any relevant experience in bid development and project work.

3.Names and contact details of 2 referees (previous employer(s) or academic supervisor) who can comment on your suitability for this role.

4.Details of any current employer and your current salary and benefits package. If you are not currently employed please give details of the last salary that you received.

5.Details of when you would be able to commence work if you were offered the post.

The closing date is Tuesday 5th May 2012 5pm. Submissions should be via email to dorah.marema@solidaridadnetwork.org

Please note: if you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application was unsuccessful.