Colombia: Project Director – Project to Reduce Child Labor in Colombia

Organization: Pact
Country: Colombia
Closing date: 14 Apr 2017

Title Project Director – Project to Reduce Child Labor in Colombia
Location Colombia
Department Name Program Delivery
Pact Overview

Pact Overview
Pact seeks to recruit a Project Director, based in Medellín, Colombia, who is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Project to Reduce Child Labor in Colombia. The four-year project is currently in its final year of implementation, with the possibility of an extension. The objective of the project is to reduce child labor in mining through the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mines; educational and vocational training opportunities for children and youth in mining communities; livelihoods opportunities for households of children at high risk of or involved in artisanal mining; and improvements to institutional mechanisms that protect and prevent children and adolescents from engaging in child labor in mining. The Project Director is responsible for meeting the project’s technical objectives, managing financial resources, managing program staff, managing partnering agreements, maintaining good working relationships with Government of Colombia officials and local partners, managing DOL deliverables and reporting, and ensuring a high-quality delivery of services.

The Project Director reports to the Regional Vice President

Specific Duties:
Ensure high-quality technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the program’s strategic objectives and adhering to expected technical quality and reporting requirements.
Participate in the technical and programmatic design of award and partner programs; represent Pact in engaging with DOL and partners.
Manage all project planning responsibilities, including the production of annual workplans and all other donor deliverables; guide and oversee the alignment of the budget to expected results, and review and approve annual budgets and semi-annual reports.
Ensure the cost-effective use of Pact resources.
Ensure compliance with HQ and donor requirements, policies and regulations.
Act as liaison to DOL, programmatic stakeholders, particularly at the national level (including other donors, civil society, networks, etc.) and the Government of Colombia, including relevant ministries.
Manage all local subgrants and any grantmaking mechanisms, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and Pact policy; coordinate and/or conduct monitoring visits to grantee activities.
Provide technical and management guidance, training and mentoring to staff and partners to strengthen capacity for technical delivery and compliance with donor rules and regulations.
Recruit and directly supervise local project staff in line with Pact HR policies; oversee the management and development of project office human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, and an organizational culture where Pact’s values are practiced.

Minimum Qualifications:
BA and 5-8 years of experience in project management, supervision, administration, and implementation of cooperative agreements and/or contract requirements (including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports).
Demonstrable experience in establishing and maintaining systems for project operations across multiple sites and partner organizations.
Experience working successfully with a wide range of stakeholders at the national, departmental and municipal levels, and engaging in coalition building and public-private partnerships promotion.
Understanding of labor and mining issues, including child labor and OSH.
Experience in a leadership role in implementing development projects in the areas of child labor, child welfare, mining or extractive industries, or other relevant areas.

Ability to provide the financial management and oversight necessary to successfully
execute a large-scale program.
Fluency in Spanish (both written and oral communication). Proficiency in English.

Preference for:
Advanced degree
In depth knowledge of USG donor regulations, systems and procedures, particularly DOL
Colombian Nationals
Skills and Abilities

Behavioral Competencies
Strong in all areas
Leadership
Ability to sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with internal colleagues and contacts in donor and peer organizations
Deep understanding of Pact’s strategy and how efforts contribute to the greater good
Consistently works within internal process and procedures
Strong interpersonal and team building skills
Proactive engagement in corporate initiatives
Project Management
Strong planning and time management skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex ideas to diverse audiences
Ability to problem-solve difficult issues
Ability to multitask with ease, adapting to frequently changing priorities
Strong negotiating and conflict resolution skills
Proficiency in developing and managing a budget
Technical Skills
Strong experience in one of Pact’s technical areas or a support function
Strong knowledge and understanding of donor policies and regulations
High competence using common desktop applications and internal systems
People Management
Demonstrated proficiency in supervising staff, including providing honest feedback
Ability to mentor others