The AGECS Country Project Manager will be responsible in providing leadership in planning and coordinate the effective implementation of the Country AGECS Sub-Project (s) and their implementing partners to ensure the project is implemented on time, on budget, achieving all intended project outcomes, and remaining compliant to all donor requirements. S/he will also provide technical support on civil society strengthening, M&E and Gender Equality alongside the Country Gender Equality Coordinator, Country M&E Coordinator, Country Program Manager and the AGECS Regional Project Manager.

Specifically, the Country Project Coordinator will:
• Be responsible for the grant management of the AGECS Sub-Projects.
• Be responsible and accountable for all Country AGECS Sub-Projects’ reporting and donor compliance requirements.
• Be responsible for quality project implementation and reporting including the delivery of project activities on time and budget.
• Preparation and submission of project work plans, activity reports, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual narrative reports.
• Coordinate quarterly and annual review meetings with implementing partners
• Coordinate, liaise, and collaborate with key local stakeholders during the implementation of the projects
• Ensure integration of gender equality considerations and social inclusion in all aspects of project design, implementation, and management.
• Build relationships and maintain coordinated communications with AKF’s Country Program Team and the F4EE Regional Team, and other local partners.
• Analyze field performance with monitoring and evaluation benchmarks and recommend and implement procedural changes to improve operations to meet objectives.
• Provide technical support and coordination of the AGECS sub-projects including civil society strengthening activities during implementation
• Distill gender equality related lessons learned from program implementation and ensure these are documented, shared, and used in subsequent adjustments to program implementation.
• Identify, document, and share learning
• Promote the culture of sharing lessons learnt and networking on gender equality across the F4EE/AGECS teams and implementing partners.
• Coordinate with / support the Country M&E Advisor to:
• Develop, review and finalize Sub-Projects’ M&E plans, including the selection of appropriate indicators.
• Engage Sub-Projects’ teams to support regular data collection, analysis, interpretation & learning.
• Ensure all data collection processes adhere to robust ethical standards, including AKF’s Safeguarding Policy and all relevant national research and ethics standards.
• Provide technical and operational oversight of Country M&E-based consultancies, learning components, and policy engagement to elevate visibility and learnings from the program approach.
• Coordinate with / support the Country Finance focal point to:
• Work closely with the finance focal point to manage project expenditure and control over/under spending.
• Discuss monthly finance reports with the country’s finance focal person
• Work closely with the procurement focal point to ensure project purchases are done on time and as per donor regulations.

Required Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies
• A bachelor’s degree in development studies preferably social sciences, especially gender studies, and/or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum five (5) years of project management experience
• Proven experience in working through and strengthening civil society.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, convening, interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in a cross-cultural context.
• Expert capacity in written and verbal skills in English with the ability to write high-quality reports for donor projects and analytical briefs.
• Ability to work well in teams and particularly teams that span across multiple geographies.
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking and public presentations in local community and partner meetings, trainings, and workshops.
• Capacity to work independently, take initiative and manage a variety of activities simultaneously while meeting strict reporting deadlines and keeping colleagues and senior managers well informed.
• Ability to facilitate collaborative and participatory processes with partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to work in local languages relevant to the country is an asset.
• Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and logical frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to remotely work, lead and motivate a diverse team of partners.
• Strong familiarity in working using online and digital technologies including proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other valuable presentation platforms.
• Adherence to AKF’s values and safeguarding policy.
• Impeccable honesty and work ethics
• Personal commitment to working as reliable, honest, & trustworthy member of AKFU team
• Comply with and follow AKF’s procurement procedures and requirements.