Project Director

Job Title: Project Director

Reports to Position Title: Director of Global Programs and Partnerships

Research Project Title: Advancing Vancouver Principles in Africa

Faculty/ Department: Africa Center of Excellence, The Dallaire Institute

FTE (based on 35 paid hr work week): 100%

Duration: 2 Years
Date Created/Updated: 05/2024

About the Research

The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security was established by retired Lieutenant- General the Honorable Roméo Dallaire, former Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Our mission is to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence and transform cycles of violence.

The Dallaire Institute’s African Centre of Excellence has been funded to finance projects specifically designed to strengthen national security sectors’ capacity to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts in Africa.

Job purpose

The Project Director at the Dallaire Institute is responsible for leading the Promotion of Vancouver Principles in Sub-Saharan Africa project. This critical role involves planning, executing, and managing the deployment and implementation of initiatives aimed at preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

The Project Director will be responsible for technical leadership and overall management oversight of one or several sub-projects and programs. The Project Director will ensure high- quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals. S/he/they will take a leadership role in coordinating all activities across all relevant parties, including the donor, the host government, key stakeholders, and implementing partners.

The Project Director may also oversee the management and performance of sub-awardees for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities in collaboration with the African Centre of Excellence and HQ authorities.
The Project Director contributes to the organization’s thought leadership initiatives by sharing insights, conducting research, and participating in relevant forums.

S/he works closely with the HQ team to establish efficient operational systems, standard operating procedures, and governance mechanisms for the organization.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Project Management:

• Ensure that the project meets its stated objectives and makes a significant impact within the planned timelines.
• Guarantee strict observance and adherence to The Dallaire Institute and donors’ procedures.
• Overview the development and implementation of the project and programs and through periodic visits to the areas of intervention, evaluate their evolution and quality as per internal and external standards and requirements, final results and achievements to ensure that the organization’s technical and ethical standards are respected, and objectives are achieved.
• Greenlight project amendments and changes to be submitted to HQ for approval.
• Applies fundamental project and program management principles, practices, and standards and knowledge of the project cycle, from assessment to design and implementation through evaluation in the management of technical and financial aspects of the project and programs.

Safety And Security:

• Regularly interact with the Director of Operations and African Centre of Excellence on security issues.
• Maintains an awareness and understanding of the economic, political, social, and security trends that have the potential to impact the project’s operations and technical programming. He/She/They shall be prepared to implement mitigation measures to minimize the impact on operations and technical programming.

Team Management and Development:

• Lead a diverse team comprising Gender and Advocacy, Training and Logistics, and Finance, among others.
• Foster a collaborative and empowering work environment conducive to professional growth and high performance.
• In coordination with the HR Manager, guide and supervise the staff performance process for international and national staff.
• Maintain high ethical standards and promote teamwork and ensure a productive working environment.
• Empower staff to meet organizational goals and work as a highly functioning and cooperative team.
• Works in tandem with the HR Manager on all staff matters, ensuring adherence to The Dallaire Institute HR policies, processes and practices. Keeps abreast of local employment laws and HR trends in the assigned country(ies). Oversees staff timekeeping, is responsible for recruitment efforts in the assigned country(ies).

Financial and Operational Oversight:

• Manage project budgets, ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures, and oversee the financial health of the project.
• In collaboration with Deputy Director for Grants and Resource Management leads a yearly budget alignment review and work planning session for all project countries.
• Ensure that all project activities and partnerships comply with institutional and donor regulations.
• Together with the Finance Manager, define and oversee the overall financial management of the project, striving towards financial sustainability and assume responsibility for the project funds management (NGO budget).
• Drafts, reviews, and manages budgeting and financial reports for Project Management staff and operations. This includes but is not limited to Expense Reports, timekeeping systems, HQ financial reporting and requests, and budgets for cost extensions,
• Ensures that financial reporting requirements and deadlines are met. Exhibits ethical financial decision-making in all aspects of operations.
• Ensure that allocated resources are managed effectively and transparently.
• Together with the Logistics and Supply Staff, ensure that required and efficient supply services and processes are in place.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships:

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including government bodies, military and police forces, international organizations, and civil society.
• Chair the biannual PVPSSA Steering Committee, developing strategic agendas and facilitating discussions to advance project goals.
• Reviews and advises on program activities to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, and periodic program highlights.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Is responsible for producing and submitting the project’s monthly activity reports.
• Continuously assess, analyze, and evaluate the impact of the project and operations, also through periodic visits to the areas of intervention, in collaboration with the Research and Learning Advisor (MEAL).
• Ensure all the policies within The Dallaire Institute Safeguarding Framework are respected by the staff.
• Together with the MEAL Department, supervise the effectiveness of the implemented activities in all the countries assigned.
• Oversee program quality and impact in line with established strategic objectives and related indicators.
• Oversee program reporting, ensuring compliance with The Dallaire Institute policies and procedures, donor regulations and national requirements.
• Set a high standard for accountability and quality in program performance and reporting. Ensures processes for monitoring and reporting are in place for successful implementation. Regularly reviews progress reporting against targets. Emphasizes tracking of progress against accomplishment of program outcomes. Approves data for the reporting period in assigned country(ies) in accordance with all The Dallaire Institute policies and systems.
• Set an example for the project in seeking evidence and incorporating evidence in decision-making. Ensures program data is used for reflection and adaptations are proposed based on learning. Provides senior manager-level review to evaluate and learn the deliverables of the program.

Advocacy and Capacity Building:

• Lead capacity-building and advocacy initiatives for military and security personnel and other key stakeholders including partners and diplomatic community in respective implementation countries.
• Represent the organization and manage relations with the authorities ensuring smooth and timely implementation of planned interventions and safeguarding impartiality and independence.
• Follow up, guarantee and monitor government recognition procedures for the project deliverables in compliance with the host country formalities.

Qualifications
Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, Peace and Security Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, preferably multi-sector and multi-country initiatives in conflict or post-conflict settings.
• PMI Certification or Post-Secondary studies in Project Management
• Knowledge of and experience of MEAL practices and systems
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with experience overseeing large-scale international projects.
• Strong financial management skills, with a track record of managing substantial project budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated experience in presenting project results across various managerial levels
• Communication Proficiency in English
• Experience in NGOs, particularly in areas related to peacekeeping, or security sector reform.

Skills
• Excellent ability to forge relationships at all levels and work across multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Adept at handling confidential information with discretion and in accordance with Institute research and other professional standards;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Knowledge
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to colleagues.

Assets
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field including International Relations, International Development, etc.
• Experience in the governmental sector, and working with child protection
• 3 years of international work experience in complex environments, preferably in conflict-affected regions
• Additional languages pertinent to the project’s countries are an asset.

Working Conditions
1. Hybrid role: The occupant will be eligible for hybrid work (a combination of in-person work and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and Institutional guidelines.

The candidate may be required to travel internationally from time to time.

Supervisory/managerial

The position is at the director level, overseeing managerial roles like project managers, Finance Manager, Training and Logistics Manager, and Gender and Advocacy Manager.