Programme & Project Advisor & Trainer – focus on General Project Management & Leadership

Oxfam Novib is committed to ridding the world of poverty. We have a conviction that people are well capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own, once given the chance to do so. Which is why we support local projects in developing countries, and why we lobby governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people. We work together with other Oxfam affiliates to increase our impact on development issues.

We are looking for the new Quality Delivery Team for a

Programme & Project Advisor & Trainer – focus on General Project Management & Leadership

36 hours per week for the duration of 1 year (start asap), with possibility of extension until end of 2015. Will be based in The Hague, but with frequent travel (20-50% of time).

We are looking for experienced and highly motivated individuals with great programme / project management skills. For this position, substantial experience in project leadership & management, preferably of larger/complex projects is required. Our ideal candidate has in-depth knowledge of contractual requirements of institutional donors, is able to support, train and coach others and provide practical input for improving organisational processes thereby building and sustaining Oxfam Novib’s capacity. Experience in working with (I)NGOs, willingness to travel substantially, able to work with tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks at the same time, fluency in English and (preferably) French is required.  We are looking for team players and highly competent networkers, diplomatic but persuasive, able to quickly indentify capacity gaps and explain and transfer complex requirements to other staff

Purpose of the role: You will be providing hands-on support, coaching and training to staff of programme/project implementing units (at headquarters and country offices) on general (including financial) project management during the different phases of the programme & project cycle. Where required you are able to take the lead.

Main tasks:

1.      Provides hands-on assistance, coaching, support and training (70% of time): Each support (mission) will be preceded by a Terms of Reference, and will be finalised with a finding, recommendations report/action plan for follow up. Tasks may include:

·         Provides support and in some cases takes the lead in developing/operationalising project concepts/proposals;

·         Quickly diagnose risks/challenges in project proposals or in ongoing projects and able to devise an action plan with the project team;

·         Provides ad-hoc coaching & training on topics related to project management such as: scoping, goal-setting, inception, activity planning, budgeting, procurement, monitoring & evaluation, reporting, accountability, risk management, audits, stakeholder management, change management, archiving, internal and external communication, team leadership, closure, sustainibility etc.;

·         Contributes to and participates in inception workshops with Oxfam Novib’s own staff and partner organisations on providing guidance to comply with donor requirements;

·         Might be asked to take up interim project leader positions (this task is still under discussion).

2.      Contributes to improvement & development of processes, procedures, systems,  tools, manuals, training material, best practices etc to enable quality project management organisation-wide. (30% of time).

You have:

·         Experience in working in development cooperation, relevant academic degree, minimal 3 years of experience of working with organizations in Asia, Middle East and/or Africa;

·         5 years of experience in organizational (including financial) capacity assessment and development (organizational development) of organizations, including local NGO’s;

·         5 years of experience in dealing with institutional donors (such EC, ECHO, SIDA, DFID, MinBUZA. foundations etc): good knowledge on proposal writing (including budgeting), monitoring and reporting according donors compliances;

·         Demonstrable experience with training, development of tools and guidance, capacity development and transfer of knowledge and information in variety of cultural contexts; Ability to work directly and over distance with colleagues;

·         Fluency in English required, French a definite advantage (;

·         Self motivated, competent networker, diplomatic but persuasive, team working skills, integrity and confidentiality, able to handle tight deadlines, multi-tasker;

·         Willingness & ability to travel between 20-50% of time;

·         Excellent project management skills. Substantial experience in being the project leader for large projects funded by institutional donors. Familiarity with best practices and tools for project management.

·         Preferred: certification/diploma in project management (e.g. IPMA, PMI or equivalent).

·         Applicants must be Nationals of a European Union member State or have a valid work permit for the European Union.

We offer

A competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. This position is not yet formally graded. The provisional classification salary is between € 2.607,- and € 4.011,- gross per month based on a 36-hour week.

More information and application procedure

Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter and curriculum Vitae and mentioning reference number 5-226 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl to the attention of Nathalie Schouten, HR Advisor, no later than March 5, 2014. More information about this position is available with Klaartje Docters van Leeuwen,klaartje.docters.van.leeuwen@oxfamnovib.nl.