Job Description

To support the implementation of this project, Expertise France is deploying a project team based in Ebène at the headquarters of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat. The project team is led by the Project Manager and composed of a part-time Administrative and Financial Officer as well as two long-term Technical Experts. Short-term experts will strengthen the team as needed.

Under the supervision of the Head of the Urban Development & Circular Economy Unit based in Paris, the Project Manager is responsible for (i) the overall coordination of the project and (ii) the management of Component 1 of the project, which aims to strengthen the operational capacities of the IORA Secretariat.

In coordination with the project team, the Project Manager is responsible for the following tasks:

A. Overall Project Coordination

Strategic and operational management of the project

• Define the project’s strategic directions and operational implementation: develop the technical and budgetary planning of the project with partners and monitor its implementation.

• Identify and mobilize all necessary resources for the proper implementation of the project.

• Oversee the implementation of activities: lead the work within the project team, prepare and run team meetings, conduct follow-up meetings with experts, share information, ensure respect for project milestones, raise alerts and reorient actions if needed.

• Ensure that gender equality considerations are properly integrated into project activities.

• Support the team in defining ad hoc expertise assignments and ensure the technical quality control of all deliverables in coordination with the team.

• Ensure accountability and learning within the project.

• Oversee project monitoring and evaluation in coordination with the team and the headquarters’ M&E coordinator.

General coordination of the project

• Coordinate relations with AFD in Port Louis and Réunion (Indian Ocean Regional Directorate), as well as with all partners involved in the project.

• Represent the project and Expertise France to all partners and develop partnerships.

• Contribute to ensuring synergies between various projects and stakeholders in Mauritius and within IORA’s area of intervention (AFD, IOC, Cap Business OI, GIZ, AfDB, AsDB, etc.).

• Ensure information sharing on the project within the AFD Group (Expertise France regional geographic coordinator supervising the entire country, Indian Ocean Regional Directorate, AFD offices in Mauritius and other IORA countries), with the French Embassy in Mauritius, and with the Ambassador for regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Administrative and financial management

• Contribute to the supervision of the Administrative and Financial Officer.

• Contribute to updating project management tools and procedures (e.g., procedures manual) and ensure their proper application.

• Ensure compliance with procedures required by Expertise France and the donor (eligibility rules for expenditures, procurement, contracts, grants, reporting).

• Monitor the sound financial management of the project (bank account, cash, budget closures).

• Ensure internal financial reporting for Expertise France and financial exercises for the agency (financial monitoring, forecasts, budget closures) as well as external budget reporting for the donor (project audits).

• Prepare intermediate and final technical and financial reports required by AFD in coordination with the project team.

• Support experts with project procurement (services, goods, works, expertise, etc.): contract procurement plan, drafting procurement documents, quality control of files, contract negotiations, and monitoring contractual commitments.

Project team management

• Lead and coordinate the project team: oversee recruitment, define operational objectives, organize workloads, etc.

• In coordination with Expertise France’s Security Department, ensure implementation and compliance with the security policy defined by the department.

• Ensure proper administrative management of the team’s personnel.

• In coordination with EF headquarters in Paris, monitor issues related to the project team’s establishment in Ebène.

• Ensure a calm, dynamic, and positive working environment.

B. Implementation of Component 1

The objective of this component is to support the IORA Secretariat in its transformation, taking into account the business process strengthening mission conducted by EY (IORA Phase 1) and the ambitions expressed by the Secretariat. The project supports IORA notably in establishing modernized, optimized, and effective human resources management to ensure overall organizational efficiency, effective and efficient use of resources (particularly financial), capacity building, and improved services provided to member states.

The Project Manager works closely with the Secretariat’s “General Services” Department. Their tasks include:

• Supporting Secretariat departments in implementing activities validated in the action plan approved by the IORA Secretariat. Supported actions may include developing internal skills in budget and financial management, establishing an HR and skills management strategy and tools, supporting staff evaluations, preparing a staff training plan, and setting up activity management tools.

• Recruiting and supervising short-term consultancy assignments supporting validated actions.

• Overseeing the implementation of these actions.

This job description is not exhaustive. In general, the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the achievement of the project’s contractual objectives and must carry out any activity necessary for the proper execution of the project.