Expertise France is recruiting a Component Manager – Economic Development & Market access for the implementation of the project " Strenghtening Artisanal Fisheries in Liberia", funded by the European Union.

Under the hierarchical supervision of the Project Team Leader, the Component Manager is responsible for the operational implementation and monitoring of activities related to economic development.

He/She will join a field project team based in Monrovia composed of five other members: the Team Leader, another Component Manager (Fisheries & quality standards), a MEAL Officer, and two field facilitators, both based in counties where activities are implemented.

This project team is complemented by a shared administrative & finance unit, based in the same building office.

Throughout the project, key experts will also be mobilized depending on the needs.

The field project team will be supported by colleagues at headquarters in the implementation of the project in compliance with Expertise France procedures, particularly regarding the proper contractual management of experts, the application of procurement rules, quality control of operational and financial reports, support for the strategic orientation and operational implementation of the intervention strategy, capacity building, quality of the deliverables, financial and operational planning, etc.

The Component Manager will be specifically responsible for:

·         Leading activities related to Economic Development & market access implemented under Specific Objective 1 - results 1.1, of the project, as detailed below, either directly or through implementing partners;

·         Ensuring operational, financial, and administrative monitoring and quality control of activities carried out from Monrovia, and conducting field visits through frequent travel;

·         Participating in the recruitment, mobilization, and proper management of experts and technical assistants selected in relation to Economic Development activities;

·         Contributing to technical and financial reports intended for the European Union Delegation.

More specifically, without this list being exhaustive, the Component Manager’s tasks will include:

1 - Implementation and Coordination of Activities

During the project launch phase, several key elements of this component will be confirmed or refined to ensure an adequate start-up and alignment with the operational context. The Component Manager will contribute to the following tasks :

·         Confirmation of intervention areas, planned actions, and relevant stakeholders of the targeted value chains;

·         Development or refinement of specific methodologies in collaboration with stakeholders;

·         Joint review of the work plan and implementation schedule to adjust sequencing or timing if necessary;

·         Initial engagement with stakeholders to validate assumptions and foster rapid ownership.

In charge of implementing activities related to Economic Development, the Component Manager will:

·         Lead the planning, programming, and coordination of activities in accordance with the project’s overall work plan;

·         Identify expertise needs for various activities and ensure the adequate mobilization of technical experts as the coordinator of the technical expertise and assistance provided, including through the development of terms of reference (ToR);

·         Draft calls for proposals, procurement plans, technical guidelines, and contribute to quality control of contracts and monitoring of contractual commitments, in close coordination with the shared administrative & finance unit;

·         Also contribute to the design, monitoring, and implementation of grant mechanisms, including technical support to beneficiaries, compliance checks, and monitoring of achieved results in coordination with the Grant Officer;

·         Coordinate with the Procurement Manager to engage external experts;

·         Ensure quality control of activities and deliverables, verify compliance with indicators defined in the project’s logical framework, and provide guidance to technical experts;

·         Actively participate in the implementation of activities by providing strategic direction and ensuring the integration of cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities, and climate resilience.

2 - Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Alignment

Multiple stakeholders are currently implementing interventions related to Economic Development in Liberia. To ensure the effectiveness and added value of Expertise France’s contribution, the Component Manager will:

·         Establish close collaboration with national, regional, and international partners involved in economic development, including public institutions, private sector organizations, financial actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as active technical and financial partners in the country;

·         Develop networking of economic actors, and dissemination of good practices relevant to Liberia;

·         Promote synergies and avoid overlaps with existing or parallel interventions, by ensuring active coordination with regional and bilateral programs funded by the EU and other donors;

·         Lead consultations with technical experts, local economic development actors, and national institutions, to define project priorities, ensure alignment with national and sectoral strategies, and guarantee inclusive and effective stakeholder participation;

·         Ensure the capitalization of experiences, results, and lessons learned, including by leveraging innovative practices developed in other countries in the region, and fostering their adaptation to the Liberian context.

3 - Reporting and Accountability

The Component Manager will contribute to internal and external reporting processes to ensure transparency, coordination, and accountability. He/she will:

·         Ensure regular internal reporting at the project level to track progress, inform decision-making, and facilitate coordination between components;

·         Provide accurate and timely information to the Team Leader and the entire project team to support high-quality reporting to the EU Delegation and other stakeholders;

·         Contribute to the preparation of steering committee meetings and technical committee sessions.