Project Manager - Swisscontact

Position overview: 

The Project Manager will primarily oversee the inception phase of the "Youth in Hospitality" project in Jordan, which focuses on enhancing the employability and income of disadvantaged youth through targeted, market-driven training. This role is critical in laying the groundwork for the project's success, including establishing partnerships, conducting market assessments, and ensuring alignment with stakeholders. Additionally, the Project Manager will support other ongoing and potential projects in Jordan, providing technical and managerial oversight, particularly in market mapping, project planning, and implementation. This position requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual with a strong background in project management, particularly within the livelihoods or economic development sectors. 

Key resposibilities: 

1. Project Management: 

Inception Phase Oversight: Lead and coordinate the inception phase of the "Youth in Hospitality" project, ensuring that all activities align with the project's objectives, timelines and quality standards. This includes coordinating the initial setup of project operations, including detailed planning, logistical arrangements, and stakeholder engagement. In addition, the project manager will develop and implement a detailed work plan for the inception phase, including specific deliverables, timelines, and responsible parties. 

Monitoring and Reporting: Establish and maintain a robust project monitoring framework to track progress against objectives, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions as necessary. In addition, the project manager will prepare and submit regular progress reports to the Economic Development Program Manager, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and next steps 

Budget Management: Assist in managing the project budget, ensuring all expenditures align with the donor requirements and that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively. Also, the project manager will work closely with the finance team to ensure timely financial reporting and compliance with Swisscontact and donor financial policies. 

Risk Management: Identify potential risks during the inception phase and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the project's success.  

Documentation: Ensure that all project documentation, including meeting minutes, agreements, and reports, is accurately recorded and filed. 

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: 

Partnership Development: Establish and maintain strong relationships with local and international stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, private sector partners, and local partners. 

Develop agreements: Develop partnership agreements, MoUs, and other formal documents to solidify collaborations and clearly define roles and responsibilities. 

Facilitation of Collaborations: Organize and facilitate meetings, roundtables, and workshops to foster collaboration among project partners and stakeholders. 

3. Market Mapping and Assessments: 

Market Research: Conduct comprehensive market assessments and mapping exercises to identify the needs and opportunities, challenges and gaps within the hospitality and F&B sectors in Jordan. Utilize both desk research and fieldwork to gather relevant data, ensuring a thorough understanding of the local context and market dynamics. 

Data Analysis: Analyze collected data to inform project design and implementation strategies, ensuring that the interventions are market-responsive and sustainable. Prepare detailed assessment reports and presentations to share findings with the project team and external stakeholders. 

4. Project Planning and Implementation: 

Project Support: Provide technical and managerial support for ongoing and potential projects in Jordan, including the development of work plans, project proposals, and operational tools. Ensure that project activities are aligned with Swisscontact's broader strategic goals and that they contribute to the overall mission of the organization. 

Team Coordination: Coordinate with project teams, consultants, and partners to ensure smooth project execution and the achievement of desired outcomes. 

5. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: 

Support to Local Partners: Provide guidance and technical assistance to local partners, particularly in the development and implementation of training curricula and internship programs in the hospitality/F&B sectors.  

Knowledge Exchange: Facilitate knowledge exchange between Swisscontact and local partners to ensure that best practices are shared and adopted across the project. 

Perform Other Duties: 

Attend and participate in capacity building events locally and internationally as required. 

Perform other punctual tasks as required by the program, office, and the country's circumstances. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is highly desirable. 

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in project management, preferably within the livelihoods or economic development, or vocational training sectors. Technical knowledge in working with SMEs and business development support is required. Experience working in the Middle East, particularly Jordan, is highly desirable. 

Skills: 

Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting. 

Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and private sector partners. 

Analytical Skills: Proficiency in conducting and analyzing market research and assessments to inform project design and implementation. 

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic. 

Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and coordinate with multiple stakeholders. 

Cultural Sensitivity: Strong understanding of the cultural and socio-economic context of Jordan and the Middle East, with the ability to adapt project approaches accordingly.