General Project Manager – Component 1 of Project PERSPECTIVAS (100%)

Swisscontact ist eine unabhängige, gemeinnützige Entwicklungsorganisation, die 1959 aus der Schweizer Privatwirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft hervorging. In unserer Entwicklungsarbeit fördern wir auf Basis privater Initiative eine nachhaltige wirtschaftliche Entwicklung sowie Wohlstand für alle in Entwicklungs- und Schwellenländern. Unter anderem stärken wir die Kompetenzen von Einzelpersonen sowie die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen.

We are looking for a General Project Manager of Component 1 of PERSPECTIVAS in San Salvador (El Salvdor) starting 1 Februar 2025.

The General Project Manager of Component 1 of PERSPECTIVAS, implemented by Swisscontact, will lead a regional team in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to achieve the goals of the project and to ensure the quality of its implementation according to Swisscontact’s and donor requirements. PERSPECTIVAS is a tri-national project that seeks to benefit more than 9,000 migrant returnees and more than 2,000 persons at risk of irregular migration by increasing their employability and income. PERSPECTIVAS is financed by the German Government through KfW and implemented in coordination with the Social Integration Secretariat of Central America (SISCA). The Project has two components, Component 1 which promotes the  social and labour market integration of migrant returnees at the municipal level, and Component 2 which focuses on  policy dialogue at the regional level, to facilitate  social and labour market insertion for the same target population. Component 2 is implemented by SISCA. Component 1 has a budget of EUR 30 million ending in early 2029. 

Tasks

• Represent / Lead strategic engagement and collaboration of Component 1 of PERSPECTIVAS with relevant stakeholders (SISCA - SICA, governments, NGOs, international organisations, donor agencies) through strategic communication and information, and manage win-win partnerships at the highest level. Serve as primary point of contact for external stakeholders.
• Represent Component 1 of PERSPECTIVAS at public meetings and events, meetings, working groups, task forces, forums, calls, and donor coordination fora.
• Establish the Component`s intervention strategy according to the agreements with the donor as well as regional and local policies.
• Lead the Component`s technical and administrative team (about 45 staff in 3 countries).
• Set direction, establish focus, decide on action, assign responsibility, delegate appropriately, mobilize commitment, provide motivational support, empower, coach and develop others, as well as  manage staff performance.
• Lead the Planning-Implementation-Monitoring-Evaluation-Controlling system of the Component.
• Lead risk management and quality assurance processes.
• Ensure the compliance of the Operational Manual and the Procurement plan along with other documents agreed to by the parties involved.
• In coordination with the Regional Director LATAM: Be in charge of the overall financial management of the Component.
• Maintain effective working relationship with the contracting donor agency by providing timely information on all relevant project matters according to the agreed procedures.
• Ensure the development of project specific and client- oriented communication materials.

Requirements

• University: A Master’s degree in management, economy, business administration, social science or alike
• At least 10 years of proven working experience in international cooperation managing complex donor-funded projects.
• At least 7 years of proven working experience managing international development projects of at least USD 10 mio and multi-country development initiatives in Latin America, preferably in Central America.
• At least 5 years of proven working experience in administrative and financial management in international development projects.
• Experience with European donors with high preference of German donors.
• Proven technical expertise in human mobility in Latin America, preferably Central America.
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary and -multi-cultural high skilled professionals.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, networking and negotiations skills.
• Well-organized, attentive to detail, and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently, guide teams, proactively anticipate work requirements, and creatively solve problems with client-focused approaches.
• Availability to travel inside and outside of the project’s benefitiary countries.
• Full proficiency in Spanish and English (spoken and written). German is a plus.

Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and multicultural context. We see our work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture: mutual respect, trust and teamwork.

We look forward to receiving your online application by 2 October 2024 with the following documents: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, diplomas and references. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. For further information please visit www.swisscontact.org.