Project Manager

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) is an international Italian NGO established in 1965. Since its establishment, COOPI has been undertaking activities to help and empower the poor and needy in different countries. COOPI Ethiopia started its operation in 1995 and has been primarily implementing emergency, relief and early recovery programs in water hygiene and sanitation, food security and livelihood, tourism, nutrition and protection sectors.

COOPI is currently implementing 14 projects in Ethiopia focusing on WASH, Livelihood, tourism, Shelter and CCCM managing 7 field bases and a staff of over 100 employees.
COOPI is looking for qualified and competent Project Manager to be based in Jimma Office.

The project manager will work on AICS-funded initiative which aims to leverages tourism as a driver of economic diversification and inclusive growth in Ethiopia, with a dual geographic focus on Addis Ababa and Jimma/South-Western Oromia. In Addis Ababa, the project responds to the shift from “transit city” to destination by professionalizing hospitality and visitor-facing services, improving sub-city coordination around urban eco-attractions, and building a coherent digital presence that connects MICE events with neighborhood-level experiences. In Jimma, it capitalizes on a distinctive heritage and the coffee landscape to structure community-based products and “signature” itineraries (coffee–nature–culture), while tackling the core bottlenecks: scarce and under-connected MSMEs, limited BDS and finance, weak promotion, and the absence of professional, formalized guiding services.

• Position: Project Manager
• Number required: One (1)
• Duty Station: Jimma

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Activities/Responsibilities

• Prepare the agreement with the region;
• Draft detailed activities workplan;
• Draft the project procurement plan;
• Draft the project expenditures in the financial management system (PREPPY);
• Coordinate and support the MEAL manager to prepare the M&E plan for the project according to Log Frames
• Consolidate, review and submit draft ToRs for all activities implementation (background, methodology, objectives, results, activities, BoQ, Monitoring and post monitoring table linked to result framework, cash, materials, transport) to the Program team.
• Approve movement plan of activities with the team
• Approve weekly movement orders with a direct link with support staff and logistics departments
• Consolidate monthly activity plan and submit them to the Head of Program
• Participate in Coordination meetings at local and regional level.
• Evaluate the yearly performance of staffs in the project

Implementation

• According to the issue faced: For managerial issues (logistic, HR, transport, procurement, administration, etc.) (1) Propose and implement solutions with the team, (2) Solve it directly, (3) Link with Head of program, logistics and administration. For technical issues link with the technical team
• Manage the activity implementation directly according to the plan. Organize monitoring field visits. Implement the technical solutions negotiated and proposed by the technical group and managerial decisions negotiated with the Head of program and if needed the Head of Mission.
• Review the work of the contractors, supporting the field level supervision. Follow up and ensure consistency and accountability.
• Lead in the implementation of baseline, midterm monitoring, , end-line surveys and all data collection required for activities implementation, reporting on results and objectives as required by the MEAL manager and ToRs (with Kobo when possible).
• Lead in the elaboration, preparation and sharing of M&E data linking with the Head of program and MEAL Manager

Reporting

• Prepare monthly reports and submit them to the program head and technical teams
• Receive and prepare monthly preppy and submit them to the head of program, country administrator and technical teams
• Lead the collection of technical activities reports from the technical team; liaise with the head of program and technical group.
• Compile the first draft of all reports required by the donor and government institutions (interim, final, ad hoc, etc) using data from M&E, monthly reports and technical reports Participate in grant closing meetings for every closed grant.

External Coordination

• Lead the organization of internal and donors meeting to the project sites, liaising with head of program and Head of Mission.
• Ensure an active participation in relevant technical working group/Cluster/External meeting

Project development

• Contribute in drafting new project proposals
• Share project ideas and concepts as deemed useful, propose written innovative actions in the area of intervention
• Review and support the collection of information from the area of intervention (Zone, Woredas and Kebele, community, local partners, NGOs, etc.), liaise with the head of program, MEAL and technical team
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line managers and HoM

Required Qualifications

• Academic Degree in Tourism Management, Development Studies, Project Management, Economics, Environmental Studies, Cultural Heritage Management, or a closely related field.
• Professional certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) is a strong advantage.
• Training in sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, eco-tourism, or conference tourism an asset.

   

Required Work Experience

• For masters holder a minimum of 3–5 and 5–7 for bachelor’s years of progressively responsible experience in project management, preferably in tourism, livelihoods, culture, heritage, or sustainable development projects out of which 3 years/above of demonstrated project management experience
• Proven experience managing donor-funded projects (e.g. AICS, UN agencies, ECHO, EU, EHF/CERF).
• Experience in coordinating with government counterparts, private sector actors, community-based organizations, and tourism stakeholders.
• Proven track record in budget management, work planning, reporting, and team supervision.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) is desirable.
• Proven capacity to work in a team is essential. Experience in managing staff.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards, principles and protection principles
• Ability in project management in a comprehensive way (logistics, programme, reporting, staff management); and to use properly the standard project management tools;
• Ability to conduct sectorial analysis and to understand and transform into possible proposal the policies and strategies of the donors;
• Ability to organize and supervise teams;
• Ability to organize work efficiently and deliver assignments in a timely manner often under time constraints.
• Fluency in English, Amharic and Afan Oromo.

Required Technical Skills

• Computer literacy, with high proficiency in the use of standard office software applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
• Strong project planning, implementation, and coordination skills.
• Solid understanding of sustainable and eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and value-chain development.
• Financial management skills, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of tourism policies, cultural heritage protection, and environmental safeguards.
• Proposal development and donor reporting skills.
• GIS and tourism mapping
• Very good inter-personal and writing communication skills.
• Ability to organize conferences and public workshop
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to sustainable development and ethical tourism practices.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse communities.

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025

Duration of the contract: One year with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and fund availability.

Salary and Benefit: 

Gross salary: 77,665 ETB

Hardship Allowance: 30%

Duty starting date: 15 of February