Project Manager - Mauritania (Weapons & Ammunition Management)

Job Title: Project Manager (Weapons & Ammunition Management)

Location: Nouakchott, Mauritania

Salary: 48,038 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Reports To: WAM Programme Manager (East)

Direct Reports: National staff team

Key Internal Contacts/Relationships: WAM Programme Manager (East), WAM Directorate Team

Key External Contacts/Relationships: Mauritanian Authorities, NATO Programme Manager

Job Purpose: The Project Manager is responsible for strategy development, leadership and delivery of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) projects in line with HALO’s global and regional plans. To inform this, the post holder will need to develop and maintain a close understanding of the political, security and social events and trends of Mauritania, as well as a wider regional view.

About HALO:

HALO is the leading global NGO addressing the impact and drivers of conflict in 30 countries and territories, with over 8,000 staff. Most of our staff are local employees and include a growing number of women.

Our primary duty is to serve people affected by conflict, clearing landmines and the explosive remnants of war that threaten lives and livelihoods long after fighting has finished. We make land safe where war has ended, while also assisting those affected by active conflict and endemic violence.

HALO addresses human suffering caused by armed violence in some of the world’s most fragile places, securing weapons and ammunition and working with both state and community actors to reduce the prevalence of armed violence.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS BASED FULL-TIME IN MAURITANIA, AND CANNOT BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY

About the role:

The post holder will lead, manage and deliver NATO funded Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) projects in Mauritania. The successful candidate will manage resources, workflows and outputs to deliver projects across Mauritania whilst, in parallel, developing HALO’s presence in Mauritania, including seeking out further funding opportunities.

A key element of this role will be to ensure that contractual obligations are met, and that project activities are conducted in the safest and most efficient manner possible. This will be done in accordance with HALO’s SOPs, regulations and policies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the project and ensure the achievement of operational/contractual objectives across the project’s area of operations.
• Lead the development of new funding opportunities in Mauritania with support from the Programme Manager and other HALO HQ departments.
• Oversee all project activity, ensuring that project tasks are conducted in accordance with HALO’s SOPs, policies and national standards.
• Manage the project’s finances, ensuring that expenditure is in line with budget and transactions, and that procurement and payroll are conducted in accordance with HALO global financial policies.
• Liaise with partners, local civil society, authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders, to ensure the effectiveness of HALO’s work and ongoing support for it.
• Manage the coordination of international and domestic travel arrangements for all staff and track external visitors to the project. Provide security / project briefs to visitors.
• Manage staff welfare, including morale, motivation, and discipline. Ensure that all staff are managed in line with relevant employment laws. Conduct fair and objective evaluations of employees, including appraisals if needed.
• Manage the training, employment and vetting of project staff.
• Manage HALO’s presence in Mauritania, ensuring compliance with all relevant national laws and regulations.
• Establish close coordination and communication with designated donor points of contact, submitting formal reports and responses to queries when necessary.
• Ensure regular referrals and coordination takes place between the project team and technical Subject Matter Experts at HALO HQ.
• Ensure HALO and donor visibility and recognition is appropriate.
• Be present during major engagements with government institutions or partner events such as workshops or round table meetings.
• Conduct other tasks and cover any other duties as required, where capacity and availability permits.

General:

• Uphold HALO’s core values and standards, promoting its ethos and mission statement.
• Ensure familiarity with and adherence to all HALO policies and procedures, especially the code of conduct and safeguarding.

Requirements

• Three years of project management experience within or outside of HALO.
• Experience of working in mine action, WAM, EOD, arms control or another related field.
• Two years of working overseas in a low or middle income country.
• Strong IT skills, highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Experience of working with government institutions and ministries.
• Experience of designing and managing budgets.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience of managing international research projects related to security or arms control.
• Working knowledge of Arabic or French.
• Tertiary level education in international development, security or a related subject.
• Experience of leading bidding/proposal writing processes.
• Experience of briefing embassies and hosting donor representatives.
• Recognised technical qualification in mine action, WAM, EOD, AVR or a related field

Skills & Competencies required for the role:

• Resilience and Adaptability
• Strategic Thinking
• Cultural Awareness
• Results Oriented
• Financial Acumen

Physical Requirements for the role:

• Ability to live and work in austere environments

Travel Requirements

• In-country road / air travel. Regional air travel as required.

Benefits

• Monthly living overseas allowance (LOA)
• Free accommodation in a rented HALO apartment or house
• 49 days annual leave per year, increasing to 56 days after 2 years’ service.
• Three economy return flights to the member’s official home address
• Private medical health insurance
• Insurance package: life assurance and emergency medical insurance, including evacuation and repatriation.