Expertise France is recruiting on a fixed-term contract (CDDU) a Senior Project Manager/Team Leader to be based in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) for a 12-month assignment (can be renewed up to 40 months), as part of the EU project " Improving soft connectivity in Central Asia towards an inclusive and green Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC)” .

The Senior Project Manager will ensure the strategic and operational management of all activities, as well as project communication and accountability towards various stakeholders. He/She will work in close coordination with the Corridor and Investment Unit Coordinator and the Project Officer based at Expertise France (EF) headquarters in Paris.

The recruitment of the Senior Project Manager/Team Leader will only become effective once the donor contract between the European Union as the main donor on the one hand, and the GIZ and Expertise France as implementing partners on the other hand, is signed and enters into force.

The Senior Project Manager/Team Leader will be responsible for the strategic and operational management and implementation of all activities planned under outputs 3 to 6 in the five beneficiary countries. He/ will also be responsible for planning, managing and implementing all activities in Uzbekistan.

Based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and reporting to the Head of the Economic and Trade Policies Unit (PEC) at Expertise France headquarters (Paris), the Senior Project Manager/Team Leader will lead the implementation of project’s activities and supervise financial monitoring in coordination with his team and other consortium members. He/she will be accountable for achieving the contractual objectives of the project and must carry out any activity necessary for the successful execution of the project, respecting the orientations given by the Steering Committee.

The Senior Project Manager/Team Leader will carry out the following tasks, which may still evolve during project implementation.

1 – Strategic management of the project

·         Lead the definition of orientations and operational strategies for project execution, in collaboration with the team and the recruited experts and in close dialogue with project beneficiaries

·         Prepare the operational and budgetary planning of the project in coordination and monitor its implementation in liaison with the EF HQ, the Deputy Project Manager

·         Lead the contractual and operational dialogue with the GIZ

·         Facilitate, in coordination with the EU, the GIZ and the project beneficiaries, the building of a common project vision

·         Ensure the quality and internal and external coherence of the project, particularly with other ongoing programs in the region

·         Manage quality control of narrative and financial reporting to the donor and internal reporting to Expertise France: oversee the process, review, and validate deliverables

·         Represent the project with the donor, GIZ, and local partners, notably during strategic monitoring meetings (e.g. TCTC Coordination platform, Steering committee) or official events.

·         Continuously analyze the political, institutional, and legal context to identify key elements and actors essential for effective project implementation, as well as associated risks

·         Ensure appropriate coordination with headquarters teams to enable strategic project follow-up

2 – Operational management and monitoring of the project

·         Co-lead, alongside the Deputy Project Manager, the guidance, monitoring, and support of local partners in activity implementation.

·         Assist the Deputy Manager in identifying necessary resources, including expertise needs, preparing terms of reference, and mobilizing experts.

·         Support the Deputy Manager in supervising recruited experts and operators, ensuring proper completion of assignments.

·         Coordinate and organize work with relevant stakeholders, ensuring continuous follow-up.

·         Monitor the implementation of all activities linked to the component’s results.

·         Oversee the implementation of the project procurement plan by the team, in accordance with Expertise France procedures.

·         Ensure financial monitoring of the budget related to the Transport component, aligned with Expertise France’s financial framework.

·         Guarantee implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan, as established with Expertise France headquarters and contractual obligations.

·         Ensure implementation of the communication plan, according to the framework established with headquarters and contractual obligations.

·         Formalize and adjust the schedule for each action, proposing necessary adjustments or mitigation measures when needed.

·         Support the team in formalizing new activities based on evolving context and intervention requests related to the component.

3 – Coordination and implementation of activities in Uzbekistan

·         Design, plan coordinate and oversee all project activities in Uzbekistan, ensuring alignment with overall objectives and timelines

·         Liaise with local authorities, partners, and stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation and collaboration

·         Develop and monitor the Uzbekistan work plan and budget, ensuring effective resource use

·         Ensure timely reporting on progress, finances, and results to the international management team and donors

·         Monitor compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and national regulations

·         Identify risks and challenges, proposing solutions to support successful project delivery

4 – Project team management

·         Select, contract, and supervise all teams required for adequate implementation of the project

·         Organize and lead team meetings

·         Ensure team training, cohesion, and integration with partners

·         Supervise project team members, set and evaluate their objectives

·         Coordinate work within the team, manage the team’s workload plan, and support execution of various functions

·         Ensure working conditions that are adapted to the local context and environment

This job description is not exhaustive. In general, the Senior Project Manager / Team Leader is responsible for achieving the project’s strategic, operational, and contractual objectives and must carry out and/or supervise all activities necessary for the project’s successful execution, according to the framework established in coordination with EF headquarters.