To support the implementation of project activities, Expertise France will set up a Project Team based in Colombo. Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, the Project Manager is responsible for the overall management and coordination of EF’s part of the “CIRCULAR : Promoting a Circular Economy in the Food Sector” programme in Sri Lanka, funded by the European Union.

The Project Manager heads the Project Team - and is based in Colombo. He/she will work on a daily basis with and will manage the Technical Coordinator; 3x Technical Specialists; a MEAL Officer; a Financial and Administrative Manager; and a Project Assistant. The Project Manager will be in regular contact with the HQ-based Steering Unit (Director of Department; Head of Unit; Project Officers).

He/she will need to be able to travel regularly within Sri Lanka (Colombo and Galle Districts) to meet with stakeholders and contribute to the smooth running of the project. The position implies a high degree of autonomy, and interpersonal skills appropriate to working in an international and multicultural environment.

Working with the project team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the following tasks:

Management of the Project Team 

• Heads the Project Team and is hierarchical superior of the Expertise France members of the team. Organises, recruits and manages the Project Team members in Colombo.
• Ensures day-to-day coordination between staff members of the Project Team. Defines the team's operational objectives, organizes workload plans, etc.;
• In liaison with EF’s Security Department, ensures that the security policy defined by the Security Department is implemented and complied with;
• Ensure that a calm, dynamic and positive working atmosphere is maintained.

Overall project management

• Defines the project's strategic and operational planning in collaboration with the partners and the donor and monitors its implementation;
• Supervises the activities: planning, implementation, budget execution, monitoring/evaluation, audit,  in coordination with the Technical Specialists;
• Identifies and mobilises all the resources (including short terms expertise) needed to implement the project successfully;
• Is responsible for harmonized execution and reporting procedures for all activities, set the framework and proposes tools and procedures;
• Ensures compliance with the specifications/contract required by Expertise France and the donor, anticipates and manages risks and developments relating to the project and alerts his or her hierarchy if necessary;
• Oversees the writing and transmission of contractual reports to the donors (narrative and financial);
• Contributes to the development and updating of the project's management tools and procedures;
• Supervise the quality of deliverables, intermediate and final project technical and financial reports, and annual financial audits;
• Participates to and co-chairs the project’s Steering Committees.

External project coordination

• Leads communication with the EUD-Sri Lanka, to keep it informed on main developments or issues requiring attention of EUD services;
• Leads relations with local stakeholders (donors, partners, service providers);
• Centralises project information and organise its dissemination to the various stakeholders
• Day-to-day coordination between European implementing agencies and contributes to ensuring synergies between the different projects within the “CIRCULAR” programme;
• Represents the project and Expertise France in the events organized in the framework of the project (conferences, regional workshop, field visits, etc.).

EF internal liaison

• Ensures the interface between the project and the HQ-based Steering Unit;
• Ensures compliance with the specifications/contract, anticipates and manages risks and developments relating to the project and alerts his or her hierarchy if necessary;
• Supervises financial monitoring and forecasts, budget closures and the production of financial reports;
• Represents EF in the various bodies involved in project monitoring.

This job description is not exhaustive. Generally speaking, the project manager is responsible for ensuring that the project's contractual objectives are met, and for carrying out all the activities required to ensure that the project runs smoothly. The signature of the contract for this position will be subject to the signature of the Agreement between the European Union and EF.