Project Manager, Organizational Capacity Building

Subject to final confirmation of project funding, IWPR's Mexico City office is seeking a Project Manager to take overall responsibility for the delivery and success of activities on a new project which seeks to build organisational capacity for news and information providers in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Project Summary:

The Professionalization and Better Management of Independent News Providers project has the overall objective of improving the planning, management and organizational capacity of small scale news agencies operating in repressive environments in Latin America. The achievement of this objective will contribute to the overall goal of increasing the capacity of independent media to inform local nationals about important issues, thereby contributing to freedom of expression and information in the country. The project has the following specific objectives:

1. Increased organizational effectiveness of independent news agencies to provide information that is relevant and important;
2. More democratic and transparent management of independent news agencies;
3. Increased access to independent, diversified sources of income and strategic partnerships.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and delivery of participative strategic planning workshops that will lead to more effective management of small independent news groups;
• Mentoring - both in person and remote - of beneficiary groups to ensure learning is put into practice;
• Design and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan designed to measure outputs, outcomes and impact in collaboration with regional Project Director and monitoring and evaluation specialists;
• Work with other senior program staff to maintain and improve the quality of all training and outputs;
• Ensure that project is well managed and is delivering effective and relevant interventions within the country;
• Ensure that grant commitments are adhered to and delivered according to work plan, budget and project timeline, whilst maintaining overall quality of the work;
• Ensure proper training and oversight of local beneficiary organizations' sub-grant management to ensure they comply with laws and specific project components;
• Hire and manage international and local staff and consultants according to IWPR policy and employment regulations, including equal opportunities policies;
• Ensure appropriate working conditions and consider at all times the safety and security of staff and consultants;
• Working with program finance officer, support the management of project finances and ensure that appropriate financial safeguards are in place;
• Ensure timely and accurate program reporting from local beneficiary organizations and overall project reporting to the donor;
• Collaborate with IWPR programme and development staff on grant writing and development of Latin America programming;
• Undertake other duties that may be reasonably requested by the Program Director.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Requirements:

Work experience:

• Previous experience working in a development or human rights organization;
• Significant experience of facilitating participative strategic planning workshops with small, community-based organizations;
• Significant experience of developing, implementing, managing and evaluating projects;
• Experience of managing staff and consultants;
• Experience of working in restrictive political environments highly desirable;
• Experience of working with the media desirable;

Education:

• Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of work experience and training;
• Master's degree in international development or management and administration, with international focus preferred.

Skills:

• Extensive management and coordination skills;
• Extensive knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation techniques and best practices;
• Significant skills in drafting comprehensive reports: organizing, analyzing, presenting data, reaching conclusions, and developing recommendations;
• Strong skills in communications and writing in professional English;
• Computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Capabilities:

• A self-starter who can operate independently but is also able to work as part of a team;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while managing and coordinating multiple projects and deadlines;
• Cultural sensitivity and flexibility for working with people from various different backgrounds;
• Motivated and results-oriented;
• Positive, proactive attitude;
• Work with colleagues remotely across timezones.

Conditions:

• Ability to work additional hours as project implementation requires; with little notice.
• Willingness to adapt to security measures needed to work in the region
• Employment will be subject to successful completion of 60 day probation period;
• This position is pending final funding approval.

How to apply:

Please submit your CV, a letter of motivation highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to this position, and include your salary expectations to: america-latina@iwpr.net