Country Programme Manager – The Gambia 973 views

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 in The Gambia

WasteAid is delivering a growing portfolio of projects in The Gambia centred around the Greater Banjul Area. Our work focuses on supporting grassroots green businesses, first-step waste management systems and establishing a circular economy network. Our existing programme in The Gambia is funded by a combination of institutional, corporate and private donors.

Job Purpose

The Country Manager will have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of WasteAid’s operations in The Gambia. This will include leading the country team (currently two staff supported by external consultants), programme delivery, stakeholder management, partnership development and organisational representation at a national level. With a small, but growing, project portfolio, the Country Manager will need to take a hands-on approach to all aspects of the role, and in particular project delivery.

The post-holder will also take a lead role in driving the growth of WasteAid’s programme in The Gambia – identifying partnership, funding, and project opportunities, and leading the project design and proposal development process where necessary and appropriate.

The Country Manager will be a key link between the programmes team in the UK and The Gambia helping to embed best practice in Project Cycle Management across our portfolio (Monitoring and Evaluation, Donor Compliance, Safeguarding, Feedback Mechanisms).

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Management & Project Delivery:

• Lead the delivery of all WasteAid projects in The Gambia – ensuring all planned activities are delivered to a high-standard, on time, and achieve value for money.

• Manage project budgets and maintain accurate and up-to-date records of in-country expenditure.

• Lead on the reporting process (internal and external) with a particular focus on ensuring that donor reporting obligations are met.

• Integrate Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEAL) approaches and activities into project plans and operations, outlining how MEAL will be implemented at each stage of the program cycle.

• Ensure adherence to WasteAid policies and procedures, and contractual obligations with donors, across all aspects of the project delivery cycle.

• Regularly evaluate projects effectiveness, to develop improved methods; share findings and to advise project staff on the direction of project.

Driving Programme Growth:

• Establish and cultivate relationships with local and international donors, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders – identifying project, partnership and funding opportunities for WasteAid in The Gambia.

• Build strong relationships with national stakeholders and potential project participants – understanding their needs and priorities; and using them to inform program design.

• Lead the process to design new projects in The Gambia, and where appropriate develop concept notes and proposals.

Team Management:

• Lead and motivate the WasteAid Gambia Team – providing team members with the guidance and support needed to thrive in their roles.

• Foster a positive and collaborative ‘remote working’ spirit amongst staff in The Gambia.

• Lead on recruiting new staff for the country team as required and requested.

• Monitor project staff performance according to their job description and set objectives.

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

Stakeholder Engagement & Organisational Representation:

• Represent WasteAid in The Gambia, attending relevant meetings and events as reasonably requested.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including government officials, CBOs, community leaders, development agencies, donors and SMEs operating in the circular economy and waste management sectors.

• Advocate for WasteAid’s mission and priorities at the national level.

• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and credibility of WasteAid in The Gambia.

Communications & External Relations:

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

• Ensure that the global WasteAid team is aware and informed of projects in The Gambia – sharing best practice where applicable.

• Develop knowledge pieces as required that demonstrate successes and learnings relating to WasteAid’s efforts to drive the circular economy in The Gambia.

Person Specification

Eligibility: Applicant must have the right to live and work in The Gambia.

Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience:

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

• Significant project/programme delivery experience in the development sector (Essential)

• Budget and/or expenditure management experience (Essential)

• Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate others (Essential)

• Experience of remote line management (Desirable)

• Experience managing donor-funded programmes, including relationship management, ensuring adherence to donor requirements and producing reports for donors (Essential)

• Experience of living and working in The Gambia (Essential)

Skills & Abilities:
• Fluency in English (Essential)

• 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 funding proposals and 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)

• Good networking skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with donor agencies, international organisations, and other foreign and domestic government officials and partners (Essential)

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

How to Apply

To apply please send your CV and 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 recruitment@wasteaid.org with Gambia Country Programme Manager in the email subject box.

Deadline for applications is Friday 7th March 2025.

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.