Project Manager

AVSI; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AVSI seeks a seasoned Head of Programs and Country Representative to manage a Syrian education and protection project funded by donors. The role requires planning, coordination across MEAL, Communications, Operations and Logistics, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

The candidate will lead staff, organize field visits, report progress, and liaise with local authorities and partners, contributing to effective humanitarian interventions and sector coordination.

Qualifications

• University degree in International Cooperation, Economics, social studies or related fields.
• A master's degree is considered an asset.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in project management or coordination.
• Experience with donor-funded projects (EU, AICS, UN) is highly desirable.
• Strong English writing and speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Organize and plan project implementation with workplans and monitoring plans.
• Develop systems to document activities, outcomes, and best practices.
• Monitor plans, expenditures and budgets with donor procedures.
• Coordinate across departments to ensure seamless project implementation.
• Prepare monthly, interim and final donor reports.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Strong English communication

Teamwork

Coordination with partners

Education

University degree in International Cooperation or related field

Master's degree (asset)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Head of Programs and Country Representative

The Project Manager is responsible for the implementation of one project in Aleppo funded by OCHA.
He/She will be responsible of planning, coordinating and supervising all project’s activities, ensuring coordination with partners, staff management, monitoring of progress and results, and full compliance with donor requirements, in order to contribute to improve the education and protection of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in Syria.

• Organize and plan project implementation, including the development of workplans and field monitoring plans.
• Develop a robust system for documenting project activities, outcomes, and best practices; establish a system for regular project reviews and evaluations to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
• Maintain and monitor project plans, expenditures, and budgets meticulously, ensuring alignment with the approved timeline and strict adherence to AVSI and donor’s procedures.
• Facilitate effective communication, coordination, and cross-cutting activities among different sectors/departments (MEAL, Communication, Operations, Logistic) to ensure seamless project implementation.
• Collaboration and coordination with the donor and local authorities, following the project guidelines agreed upon with the Head of Programs and the Country Representative; offer support during donor visits to showcase project progress and impact.
• Organize regular field visits and spot checks to monitor project activities, promptly addressing challenges to guarantee successful project implementation. Assess satisfaction levels among beneficiaries, local authorities, and stakeholders, utilizing feedback to enhance project outcomes. Supervision of staff actions to ensure proper project implementation within the established timeline, with careful consideration given to beneficiary selection.
• Identify training needs among the project staff and collaborate with HR to facilitate capacity-building initiatives.
• Preparation of project reports (monthly, interim and final) and any other reports required by the donors; preparation of potential cost or no-cost extensions of the project. Results dissemination: collection and archiving of communication materials illustrating project implementation (before/after intervention) and project-related information, in coordination with the communication department. Participation in sectoral coordination meetings and report to the Management.
• Participate to relevant cluster meetings and report to the Country Representative and Head of Programs and all concerned staff.
• Participation in internal AVSI events and meetings for action monitoring or dissemination of results as requested by the Country Representative/Regional Office/HR.
• Act as AVSI’s focal point for humanitarian interventions, coordinating with partners, authorities, and humanitarian actors, and ensuring effective communication between the field and the Damascus office.
• Collaborate closely with the Programs Department in the development of concept notes and full project proposals involving the Aleppo area, contributing to needs analysis, definition of objectives and expected results, logframe development, and identification of activities in coordination with partners and local stakeholders.

• University degree in International Cooperation, Economics, social studies or related fields. A master's degree is considered an asset.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in project management or project coordination, in international cooperation contexts.
• Preferred: experience in programs focused on protection and education sectors;
• Experience managing donor-funded projects (EU, AICS, UN, or similar), including reporting, budgeting, and compliance. Prior experience with SHF/OCHA, ECHO and US Government-funded projects is considered highly desirable.
• Experience working with local authorities, CBOs, community groups, and private sector partners.
• Familiarity with protection and education approaches, including PSS activities, remedial education methodologies.

• Ability to articulate and coordinate effectively with the government, local and international NGOs, and other actors;
• Previous experience in the Middle East and Syria will be considered an asset;
• Previous experience in project development (knowledge of the Project Cycle Management)
• Effective and in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;);
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of Italian is an asset;
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups including community members, youth, local authorities, and private sector actors;
• Knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset;
• Strong reporting skills;
• Teamworking skills.

• AVSI reserves the right to request information from previous employers regarding any disputes, safeguarding concerns, investigations, or disciplinary actions, and to require the candidate to provide criminal and civil records, for the purpose of assessing the worker’s professional suitability for roles involving contact with vulnerable individuals, including children and adults.
• AVSI applies the principle of inclusiveness and non-discrimination in its selection process, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, religious belief, disability, or belonging to protected classes.