Project Manager

Job Summary

The anticipated IFAD-funded Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADEP) project overall goal is to contribute to enduring peace and reduced poverty in South Sudan and its development objective is to enhance resilience, food, and nutrition security for rural communities in four counties (Terekeka county of central Equatoria; Mundri West and Mvolo Counties of Western Equatoria State and Bor County Jonglei State) over a period of 7 years in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the SADEP project. He/she will coordinate implementation of activities with other projects engaged in support for similar/related themes.

The Project Manager will be based in Juba with frequent travels to the four target counties of Terekeka, Mundri West, Mvolo, and Bor, overseeing the implementation of SADEP interventions in climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. The PM ensures timely and effective execution of project activities, manages the project team, coordinates with stakeholders, and ensures alignment with IFAD policies and project objectives. The PM will also ensure gender, youth, and nutrition considerations are mainstreamed across all interventions.

The Project Manager will report to the Deputy Country Director-Programs.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Project Coordination (35%)

• Provide overall leadership and technical direction for all project components.

• Lead the overall consortium and coordination with the partners.

• Develop and oversee Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs).

• Coordinate state, county, and community-level implementation structures.

• Ensure alignment with IFAD policies, SECAP, and national regulations.

• Supervise programme components implementation (Agronomy, Fisheries, MEAL, Finance, etc.).

• Ensure gender, youth, and nutrition mainstreaming across activities.

Financial and Administrative Oversight (20%)

• Oversee project budgeting, financial planning, and expenditure tracking.

• Ensure compliance with donor financial management procedures.

• Supervise procurement planning and contract management processes.

• Monitor value-for-money and cost-efficiency measures.

• Ensure proper documentation and audit preparedness.

• Approve payments and financial reports in line with controls.

   

Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance (15%)

• Ensure compliance with CARE policies (safeguarding, fraud/AML risks in financial inclusion, security SOPs, data protection).

• Ensure implementation of a robust M&E system.

• Review periodic technical and financial reports.

• Track progress against indicators and milestones.

• Ensure environmental and social safeguard compliance.

• Conduct field supervision visits for quality assurance.

• Lead corrective action planning where gaps are identified.

Team Management and Capacity Building (15%)

• Supervise project staff, provide coaching and performance management, and build team capacity to ensure effective implementation and accountability.

• Recruit, supervise, and manage project staff in line with CARE performance management systems.

• Provide coaching, mentoring, and capacity building to strengthen staff performance.

• Coordinate and manage implementing partners to ensure quality and accountability.

• Promote teamwork, collaboration, and clear communication across project teams.

• Conduct regular performance reviews and support professional development.

• Ensure partners comply with agreed work plans, budgets, and reporting requirements.

• Foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful working environment.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation (10 %)

• Represent the project in coordination and strategic meetings.

• Liaise with ministries, IFAD, AfDB, and other partners.

• Facilitate community engagement and beneficiary consultations.

• Strengthen partnerships with private sector actors.

• Promote policy dialogue related to seed systems and fisheries.

• Ensure visibility and communication of project achievements.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED                  5% of time

Education/Training

Required

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Development Studies, or any equivalent qualification.

 Desired

• Post-qualification in Project Management is an added advantage.

Experience/Technical Skills

 Required

• At least 10 years of work experience in planning, management, administration, and implementation of rural livelihood improvement, agricultural, or rural development projects in the public, private, or NGO sectors.

• Specific exposure to commercial/private sector practices in service contracting, performance monitoring, and financing.

• Experience working with both international and local partners, government, and communities

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in South Sudan.

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work with minimum supervision to meet changing deadlines.

• Experience working on donor-implemented projects is an advantage.

• Proven problem-solving skills and ability to offer practical solutions to challenges in project management

• Strong understanding of project management principles and technical knowledge.

• Excellent communication skills in English with the ability to express ideas clearly.

• Computer literacy, including proficiency in word processing and office technology.

• Strong teamwork skills and willingness to travel at short notice.