Overall purpose of the role: 

DRC is kicking off the Roots to Resilience project in 2026, funded by DGBP that will focus on commercial climate smart agriculture and hydroponics and food security among communities in Kakuma. The Project Manager will provide leadership, day-to-day management, technical support and oversight over the project. with DRC acting as the lead agency in collaboration with 2 strategic commercial partners, Hydroponics Africa Limited and Chucaotech Technology. 

The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for coordinating the project implementation across the consortium members and delivering strong results and success requires critical thinking, strong problem solving and a commercial mindset. The PM will also support strengthening of the portfolio on climate projects and financing in consultation with the Head of Programmes (HoP) and directly supervise project staff. Finally, as the project is a Public Private Partnership, the Project Manager will be responsible for stakeholder management and managing the expectations of and relationships between all project partners (NGO and private companies

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Project Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Ensure the project is implemented in ways responsive to the beneficiary communities, donor compliance procedures and vision/mission of each of the partner organizations. This includes working closely with consortium members, local government, partner organizations and companies, and community structures to successfully implement and strengthen local capacity.
• Ensure all project interventions are aligned with core business processes of consortium members to safeguard sustainability of project activities.
• Ensure that the project has appropriate monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems established (including impact evaluation), and that the project documentation is comprehensive (electronic and hard copy).
• Ensure project activities are delivered according to the agreed project proposal and implementation plan, and that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe and budget, reports are submitted as per the agreed schedule and formats are fulfilled as specified in signed agreements.
• Ensure work plans are regularly updated in collaboration with the project team, ensure project plans and project tracking tools are used by the project team, and monitor project activity implementation.
• Ensure community participatory planning and targeting in line with project design and needs, and following donor compliance procedures.
• Provide on-site support through frequent visits to all project sites.
• Serves as the primary contact with respect to project implementation for the donor.

Training & Capacity development

• Identify training needs of team and explore options for meeting them.
• Build internal team capacity especially in the field of commercial agriculture and climate-smart techniques  
• Provide continuous technical support and mentorship for Project Officers, Project Assistants, Community Mobilisers, MEAL Officer in the project in order to develop their professional and technical competencies.
• Participate in all relevant trainings offered by all project partners and/or externally to become technically equipped for project implementation and monitoring.  
• Ensure that minimum standards for project management and accountability are met.

Coordination & Partnership

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the project and ensure effective integration among the consortium members, with special attention for the specific needs and expectations of the commercial and non-commercial project partners.
• Ensure proper communication mechanisms are in place to guarantee effective and timely communication between project staff and the consortium members and management.   
• Participate in regular external stakeholder meetings, and maintain external relations with the relevant government agencies, and stakeholders across the project areas.
• Ensure there is a system for networking and communication with relevant local government line departments, RAS, UNHCR, relevant actors, and community representation in the project areas. 
• Promote collaboration and synergy between the consortium member project activities and similar projects, businesses and activities in the project areas. 
• Promote a positive profile of the project and good understanding among other actors and communities about the project.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders. 
• Represent the project at interagency coordination meetings as well as other key stakeholder forums related to the sector.

Budget Management

• The post holder will oversee the project budget and be responsible for budget monitoring, cash forecasting and BFU reviews while working closely with consortium members. Will oversee the project budget in order to maintain project expenditure within budget parameters, ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and the project requirements.
• Track budget spending and ensure timely reviews of financial transactions and budget utilization every month.
• Support team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending plans, procurement plans, and work-plans based on activities and budgets.
• Work closely with the respective Area Programme and the Country Office team in budget drafting and revision processes as per identified/prioritized needs of the project.

Staff Management

• Directly lead, manage and motivate the Project staff. Ensure that they have clear objectives and receive regular supervision and reviews. Develop a plan, and oversee management, of all project staff.
• Ensure appropriate participation of staff in project management, day-to-day implementation and decision making, and escalating issues to the Project Steering Committee. 
• Ensure project staff members attend and participate in weekly and monthly office management meetings as per schedule
• Ensure timely recruitment of highly competent project staff.
• Monitor and provide objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective-setting, probation & performance evaluations to promote growth and development.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• At least 5 years of experience working in multi-donor-funded and/or multi-stakeholder projects or programmes, 3 years of which in managing environment or agriculture projects or programmes
• Experience working in and deep understanding of private sector enterprises and/or implementing livelihoods/self-reliance, protection or advocacy interventions within commercial companies  
• Basic understanding of IT and ERP tools commonly used in commercial enterprises and NGOs
• Experienced project manager, demonstrating a good understanding of Project Cycle Management  
• Able to navigate between commercial and non-profit consortium members, their workstyles, and their agenda’s
• Experienced working with and implementing projects using the Human-Centered Design approach
• Experience in capacity-building staff, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops 
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills coupled with conflict management skills 
• Knowledge of the key issues and current trends in refugee affairs

Education

• Masters in international development, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Environmental Sciences or other relevant fields, or Bachelors with relevant work experience.

Key stakeholders: Internal & External

• DRC
• County and national government line ministries 
• UNHCR, RAS, relevant Government departments
• County Steering Committee/s
• Relevant Inter-agency Working Groups
• Project Donor and Danish Embassy in Kenya
• Hydroponics Africa and Chucaotech