Project Manager

Work Context:

CESVI has been operating in Libya since 2011 as the first Italian NGO to take action, in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, through humanitarian projects in Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. Nowadays CESVI is one of the leading NGOs in Libya, very active in the coordination of various sector working groups – in particular protection-focused groups – with a diverse donors’ portfolio and serving all vulnerable target populations. In detail, CESVI has been implementing programs supporting mixed migrants, IDPs, and vulnerable host communities through service provision and support to CSOs. This includes center-based and outreach protection activities, warehouse management, non-food distributions, awareness-raising activities, psychosocial support, referrals to external services, cash assistance and non-formal education, community development, and social inclusion at the local level.

Current projects:

• UNHCR: Protection and lifesaving assistance to refugees and asylum seekers (Tripoli)
• UNICEF: Psychosocial support and remedial education for children of IDPs and refugees (Tripoli)
• EU: PEERS III: Protection Enabling Environment and Resilience Services(Misrata – Zliten – Zwara)
• EU-DG Home: Sudanese Response (Misrata – Kufra)
• EU: Youth Centered Dialogue for promoting peace and justice in Libya (Tripoli – Misrata – Benghazi)

Job Description:

As part of Libya Mission Nationalization process, CESVI aim to nationalize all Project Manager roles by 2025.

depending on the project location, PM will be based in one of these locations: Tripoli, Misrata or Benghazi. Projects are based around one or more of these thematic areas: Protection, Education and Civil Society Organizations engagement – applicants with experience in these areas are encouraged to apply.

Under the supervision of the Head of Programs, the Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of a given project, ensuring coordination with key cross-functional teams, including the Technical Unit, Area Administration, Operations, Security, and MEAL staff.

The Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation of a project, overseeing the effective, high-quality, and timely implementation of activities and supervising project staff.

Main activities:

Project Implementation and Management

• Ensure that project activities are implemented efficiently, in line with the approved project plan, and within set timelines.
• Lead the planning, execution, and adaptation of project activities, ensuring alignment with donor guidelines and CESVI standards.
• Monitor project activities and proactively identify and implement necessary adaptations, in collaboration with the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Coordinate with project partners to facilitate activity implementation, including drafting and finalizing MoUs, with HQ’s Legal Department review and authorization.
• Ensure alignment with other projects in the same area, minimizing duplication and promoting synergies.
• Oversee the correct filing and documentation of project records.
• Manage financial resources, procurement procedures, and purchases related to the assigned projects, in collaboration with the local administrator and under the supervision of HQ accountants to ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance.
• Act as the primary focal point for donor relations, ensuring smooth communication and reporting, in coordination with the HoP and under the HoM’s approval.
• Draft donor reports and submit project documentation (through HQ when necessary), ensuring quality and timeliness, and meeting expected results.
• Engage and coordinate with key project stakeholders, involving the SMT when strategic for CESVI’s work in Libya.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of CESVI’s internal procedures manual.
• Ensure efficient office and resource management, optimizing the use of assets and project means.
• Coordinate with HQ and SMT on project-related visibility and communication activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project-related risks, including operational, financial, security, and reputational risks.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, local laws, and CESVI policies, integrating risk mitigation measures into project planning.
• Work with security teams to implement context-specific risk management and contingency plans, ensuring staff safety.

Team Management

• Effectively lead and coordinate CESVI project staff, assigning specific tasks and objectives to achieve project goals.
• Oversee local staff recruitment, onboarding, and continuous capacity building, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and safeguarding best practices.
• Supervise project staff performance, ensuring alignment with administrative and security guidelines, in consultation with the HoP.

Implementation of Safeguarding Policies – Adults at Risk/Child Safeguarding/PSEA

• Ensure strict adherence to CESVI’s Safeguarding Policies, embedding safeguarding measures within all project activities.
• Conduct local assessments of legal, social welfare, and child protection arrangements, establishing clear referral pathways.
• Continuously assess and mitigate safeguarding risks, with periodic reviews and improvements.
• Develop and implement project-specific complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFM), in line with CESVI’s CFM Guidelines and in collaboration with the MEAL team.
• Create accessible and culturally appropriate communication tools to raise awareness on safeguarding risks and reporting mechanisms.
• Organize tailored capacity-building initiatives, including training, mentoring, and guidance for project staff, partners, volunteers, and associates.
• Incorporate safeguarding principles into staff performance evaluations, ensuring adherence to ethical and professional standards.
• Partnering with the Safeguarding Focal Point in establishing the Safeguarding Risk Assessment.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government authorities (where appropriate), other agencies, donors, and community leaders to facilitate project implementation.
• Ensure CESVI’s engagement in relevant humanitarian coordination mechanisms, working groups, and advocacy efforts.
• Conduct regular partner capacity assessments and provide technical support to strengthen local implementing partners.

Development of CESVI’s Presence in Libya

• Represent CESVI in sectoral clusters and working groups, providing regular updates and strategic input to the SMT.
• Support in conducting in-depth analyses and needs assessments to inform the design of new projects.
• Contribute to CESVI’s long-term strategy in Libya, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and local context.
• Actively support donor engagement efforts, including proposal development, relationship-building, and promoting new funding opportunities through participation in forums, workshops, and targeted meetings.

Essential Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, humanitarian assistance, social work, human rights, international law and/or Cooperation and development or another appropriate field
• Solid experience in project management (over 5 years), including project cycle management,
• proposal writing, budget management and donor reporting
• Sectorial Experience in Protection and Cash programming in a similar context
• HR staff management of national staff in challenging environments
• Good team leadership and conflict resolution skills, consensus team building, and adaptability
• Experience delivering programs to tight deadlines
• Proactive and flexible approach in dealing with project tasks.

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of project cycle management
• Ability to produce high-quality narrative reports and timely contributions to project proposals
• Able to mentor and provide in-person and remote support to program staff
• Able to apply participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities
• Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Patience and understanding to work with and develop the capacity of national staff
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative, resilient and able to work independently.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively
• Capacity in networking and build effective partnerships with local stakeholders
• Adapts and copes with pressure;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, facilitates a collaborative environment among colleagues and stakeholders to promote effective coordination
• High level of IT skills (Office package)
• Ability and willingness to work in remote and isolated locations with ever-changing security scenarios.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

For more information about CESVI, please visit our website: http://www.cesvi.org. CESVI has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm or exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult by any of our employees, related parties, or partners.

CESVI’s commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process, which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal record checks and verification of disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable people and prevent abuse.