Project Manager (South Africa)

Wasteaid; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 380 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NGO in environmental management in Johannesburg seeks a Project Manager to deliver projects focused on waste management. The role involves leading community-focused initiatives, engaging with various stakeholders, and managing project budgets. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree, proven communication skills, and experience in project management. The position is full-time for one year with a gross salary of approximately £17,000 per annum. Applicants must be based around Johannesburg and have the right to work in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Experience of leading project delivery in the development or other relevant sectors.
• Experience of working on donor-funded projects.
• Budget and/or expenditure management experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver nominated project(s) focusing on waste management in South Africa.
• Lead the day-to-day delivery of community-focused projects.
• Manage project budgets and ensure financial reporting.

Skills

Outstanding verbal communication skills

Excellent written communication skills

Good decision-making skills

Excellent organisational skills

Flexible, solution-oriented attitude

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Job description

Contract: 1 year, full time, with potential for renewal subject to funding

Closing Date: Monday 5th January pm SAST

Applicants must have the right to live and work in South Africa and should already be based in / around Johannesburg as WasteAid cannot support relocation costs.

WasteAid began working in South Africa in with the launch of the Circular Economy Network, a platform uniting industry, academia and waste practitioners to accelerate circular solutions.

What started as an awareness initiative soon revealed a pressing need: supporting thousands of informal waste collectors to grow their micro-enterprises and become "Wastepreneurs" driving pollution reduction, job creation and circularity from the ground up.

Job Description

Project Manager

Location: Home based in / around Johannesburg, South Africa (with regular field work in Johannesburg and Mpumalanga Province)

Reports to

Programme Manager – South Africa & Uganda

Direct Reports

Training & Mentoring Coordinator, Community Facilitators (2 secondees)

Key Relationships

Director of Programmes, Head of Strategy & Impact, Grants Finance Officer, Director of Fundraising, Communications Officer, Members of the Programmes Team

Gross Salary

£17, per annum gross (approx. ZAR 35, per month)

Contract Duration

1 year, full time, with potential for renewal subject to funding.

About WasteAid

WasteAid is an international non-governmental organisation that works in low and middle-income countries to implement environmental and economic development programmes, focusing on support to nascent green businesses and grassroots entrepreneurs.

The work improves the livelihoods of some of the poorest and most marginalised, promotes circular economy innovation and contributes to a cleaner and healthier future for all.

WasteAid promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence-based and inclusive practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action.

We partner with public, private and community-based organisations in countries where practices are harming the environment, economy and society.

WasteAid in South Africa

Since its launch in , WasteAid has focused on empowering those at the start of the waste value chain.

Through a tailored training and mentorship programme, we help participants develop essential life skills and learn how to run viable waste businesses – from financial management to extracting value from different waste streams.

Micro-grants for tools and equipment further enable them to work safely, confidently and profitably.

Today, WasteAid continues expanding its reach across Gauteng and Mpumalanga, delivering this proven curriculum and supporting a growing network of Wastepreneurs and informal waste workers.

Our vision is a world where waste causes no harm, and its value is fully recovered—and empowering informal waste workers is central to achieving it.

Job Purpose

The Project Manager will have responsibility for delivering nominated project(s) in South Africa – initially focusing on first-step waste management systems in two districts of Mpumalanga Province and a Wastepreneur® project in Cosmo City, Johannesburg.

The nature and number of projects managed will vary according to organisational needs and available funding.

Reporting to the Programme Manager, the post-holder will lead the day-to-day delivery of high-quality and impactful community-focused projects in the waste management and recycling sectors.

With a small, but growing, project portfolio, the Project Manager will need to take a hands-on approach to supporting many different aspects of programme growth and delivery.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Project Delivery

Develop and / or maintain an up-to-date activity plan for each project, ensuring that all staff, secondees and consultants involved in project delivery are aware of, and delivering in accordance with, the agreed timetable.

Lead the timely delivery of project activities against the activity plan with support from direct reports, colleagues and external consultants as appropriate.

Ensure that project activities are professionally delivered in accordance with donor obligations and requirements and achieve value-for-money.

When project activities are being delivered with external support, ensure that the necessary legal agreements are in place supported by clear Terms of Reference (or similar) and that partners / consultants are held accountable for delivering to a high standard against them.

Ensure that high-quality donor reports are submitted in line with contractual obligations.

In collaboration with the Programme Manager, ensure that project activities align with national waste management strategies and environmental policies.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build strong relationships with project participants, municipalities, businesses, government bodies, NGOs and other key stakeholders in the waste management space as appropriate for each project.

When appropriate, facilitate the establishment of strong partnerships between communities and private sector actors, for example recycling businesses and waste offtakers, to create sustainable market linkages.

Represent WasteAid externally, attending meetings and events as reasonably requested.

Contribute to the creation of a positive image and credibility of WasteAid in South Africa.

Financial & Resource Management

Manage the project budgets, including tracking expenditure against available funds.

Manage and report on cash advances issued to you for project delivery purposes.

Ensure that all expenditure is incurred in accordance with contractual obligations and requirements and in line with WasteAid's financial policies and processes.

Ensure that all procurement is carried out in accordance with donor and WasteAid requirements.

In collaboration with UK-based finance staff and the Programme Manager, ensure that high-quality accurate financial reports are submitted in accordance with donor requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

With support from the Head of Strategy and Impact and the Programme Manager, ensure that there is an appropriate MEL plan in place for each project that aligns with donor requirements.

Ensure that the MEL plans are followed, with relevant indicators data collected on a regular basis in line with project monitoring and reporting requirements.

When appropriate, coordinate the delivery of external assessments such as baseline or endline surveys by external consultants.

Document lessons learned and shared insights with stakeholders to improve future interventions.

Communications, External Relations & Business Development

Work in partnership with WasteAid's communications staff in the UK to ensure that an appropriate external communications plan is in place for the project(s) that aligns with internal and external (donor) requirements.

Provide a regular flow of information and updates on project delivery for dissemination through WasteAid's online and offline communications channels.

Attend and contribute to WasteAid project and team meetings, ensuring the Senior Management Team are kept up to date on the progress against key milestones set for the project(s); and ensuring activities reflect WasteAid technical recommendations.

Proactively seek to identify opportunities for additional funding or partnerships to expand the project.

Support with developing funding proposals for new projects in South Africa.

Line Management

Lead and motivate direct reports, providing them with the guidance and support needed to thrive in their roles.

Contribute to fostering a positive and collaborative 'remote working' spirit amongst staff in South Africa, Uganda and beyond.

Monitor the performance of direct reports in line with their job description and objectives.

Lead by example, promoting and demonstrating best practice behaviours that align with the WasteAid Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies.

Perform other duties as assigned; the duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's Degree in a related field; or equivalent combination of qualifications and practical experience (Essential).

Experience of leading project delivery in the development or other relevant sectors (Essential).

Preference will be given to candidates with experience of working on projects in the waste management and / or recycling sectors.

Experience of working on donor-funded projects, including ensuring adherence to donor requirements and producing reports for donors (Essential).

Experience of engaging with communities to implement locally led initiatives, with a strong focus on participation, capacity-building and sustainability (Essential).

Budget and / or expenditure management experience (Essential).

Proven ability to lead, manage and motivate others (Desirable).

Experience of remote line management (Desirable).

Experience of working with monitoring & evaluation tools and frameworks (Desirable).

Knowledge of the waste management and / or recycling sectors in South Africa (Desirable).

Skills & Abilities

Outstanding verbal communication skills; and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of different stakeholders and audiences (Essential).

Excellent written communication skills; and the ability to produce high-quality written documents such as donor reports (Essential).

Good decision-making skills, and able to make good judgements on when your decisions need validating by a more senior staff member (Essential).

Excellent organisational skills (Essential).

Personal Qualities

Self-motivated, with the ability to independently manage your workstreams and workload (Essential).

Excellent relationship-building skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with many different types of stakeholders ranging from informal waste collectors to government officials (Essential).

Flexible, solution-orientated attitude to managing the delivery of project activities in a logistically challenging context (Essential).

Guidance for Applicants

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 pages) explaining your interest in the role and how your profile aligns with the criteria laid out in the person specification by email to with 'Project Manager – South Africa' in the email subject box.

Deadline for applications is Monday 5th January pm SAST.

Please note that WasteAid may review, shortlist and interview candidates prior to the closing date so we encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible.

If we receive a very high response, we may close the vacancy early and will not accept further submissions.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in South Africa and should already be based in / around Johannesburg as WasteAid cannot support relocation costs.

The successful applicant will be salaried in GBP, paid from the UK, and required to take responsibility for deduction and remittance of their own taxes and other statutory payments in South Africa.

WasteAid is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from candidates from historically underrepresented groups.

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