Project Manager - Media Innovation

About the Role
The Project Manager will lead the day-to-day delivery of the project. The role will be hands-on, working to bring the diverse array of stakeholders (including Siren’s delivery teams, our partners, the donor, and the target group beneficiaries) around a shared vision of the project as a whole. Supported by Siren HQ and working alongside the Project Director, the Project Manager will be responsible for overall project delivery in terms of outcomes, quality, compliance, and risk. They will need to execute effective project and team management to ensure timely and well-coordinated delivery of project components across the region. 

Siren operates in a dynamic environment and according to agile project management principles. The Project Manager should not expect a structured environment. Instead, the Project Manager will need to apply key principles of project management in a fast-paced, flexible, and responsive manner. The role is ideal for someone who is able to manage, and thrive in, ambiguity. The role offers ample opportunities for innovation and ‘outside-of-the-box’ thinking, and candidates are expected to bring their own ideas to the table for how to achieve the programme’s stated outcomes. Although subjectmatter expertise is not required, a background in journalism, communications, and/or peacebuilding would be helpful. Ultimately, however, we will prioritize the ability to learn quickly, sharp critical thinking capabilities, and the ability to lead a diverse team over past sectoral experience. Individuals seeking a challenging yet intellectually rich experience are encouraged to apply. Recruitment is ongoing on a tentative basis, pending contract award (likely summer 2021). A selected candidate who thrives in the role can expect to remain in post for project duration (24 months).

Responsibilities

Leadership 

• Alongside Project Director, provide consistent leadership to the project delivery team in accordancewith Siren’s core values in order to foster a healthy, open, and productive work environment
• Execute sound, evidence-driven, and ethical decision-making at a strategic level that aligns with Siren’smission and goals
• Coordinate with Project Director and liaise regularly with Siren HQ where agreed, to ensurecollaboration on strategic issues

Delivery Management

• Develop and maintain a detailed work plan for the project in consultation with stakeholders, outlining activities, timelines and required inputs
• Develop or improve processes and procedures that support project delivery
• Develop resourcing plans and accompanying budget forecasts, and schedule inputs of relevant resources including subject matter experts, partners, contractors, etc.
• Ensure that team members and partners have the time, resources and information they need to carryout their tasks effectively
• Conduct regular meetings with delivery teams (including partners) to ensure adequate communication and that all team members remain updated on progress, issues and status
• Review and quality assure outputs produced by the delivery teams

Issue and Risk Management 

• Work with the project delivery team to identify, resolve, and properly record issues and risks 
• Elevate strategic risks to Project Director, collaborating to develop response plans accordingly

Stakeholder Management

• Alongside Project Director, cultivate and manage relationship with the donor, ensuring all requirements are met and donor satisfaction with project progress and results
• Lead on partner coordination, ensuring partner inputs are well-timed, compliant with project requirements, and aligned with project results
• Ensure project is being delivered in response to clear beneficiary needs 
• Maintain a diverse range of stakeholder relationships, building trust with so as to be able to understand and address any political or technical challenges and create a coalition of support around project objectives 

 
Financial Management

• Work with the Support Officer and HQ to maintain an up-to-date, accurate, and well thought through Activity Based Budget and financial forecasting, in accordance with Siren’s financial policies and procedures
• Elevate any financial risks 

Staff Management

• Clearly communicate all roles and responsibilities to staff 
• Ensure staff have the requisite support to fulfil their duties; in instances when this is not the case, take pro-active and constructive action to address this in collaboration with Siren HQ
• Assist in recruitment and on-boarding new project delivery team members, as necessary Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
• Input into the development and updating of project monitoring frameworks, including theory of change and results framework
• Provide overall ownership and steering to monitoring, evaluation, and learning, ensuring that the Senior M&E Officer has access to relevant data and stakeholders in a timely manner
• Participate in programme-wide learning and evaluation activities 

Reporting & Compliance

• Responsible for final delivery and quality of narrative and financial reports, in accordance with Siren policies and donor requirements
• Maintain the Project Charter, in line with Siren policies
• Oversee, with support from Siren’s Procurement Lead, procurement processes in relation to project activity in terms of compliance with Siren Procurement Policies and donor requirements 

Programme Development

• Assist, with support from Siren’s Programmes Team, in the identification and articulation of new programming opportunities that would contribute to the long-term sustainability and impact of the project 

Competencies & Qualifications 
Essential

• Demonstrable commitment and alignment with Siren values, namely: Creativity, Commitment, Integrity & Courage, Perseverance, Taking Responsibility, and Valuing Diversity & Difference
• Demonstrable understanding of the project management cycle
• Experience ensuring project and/or programme compliance with donor requirements
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and perform well under-pressure 
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to maintain good internal and external relationships
• Understanding of the political economy in the MENA region
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic
• 7+ years in the international development sector
• 3+ years in a project manager position (or equivalent), with clear evidence of progression in terms of responsibilities