Project Manager – (ACALS Project)

Project Manager – (ACALS Project)

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Project Manager.

About the job

The overall purpose of this position is to provide day-to-day management, coordination, and technical oversight of the Adaptation for Climate and Livelihood Systems (ACALS) project in Beledweyne. The Project Manager will ensure timely, high-quality, and compliant implementation of activities aimed at improving food security for 15,000 households and 15 large cooperatives through the distribution of labor-saving technologies (tillage tractors/threshers), climate-smart agriculture, market systems development, and disaster preparedness. The incumbent will also focus on optimizing agricultural output through the management of mechanical fleets, regenerative farming systems, and the economic "graduation" of vulnerable households from subsistence to market-aligned enterprise.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

R1: Project Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

·         Ensure the project is implemented in line with approved proposals, work plans, budgets, and donor requirements.

·         Ensure implementation planning is aligned with agricultural seasons, climate forecasts and local production calendars, with timely adaptation of activities where climate, access or market conditions change.

·         Lead planning, implementation, and monitoring of ACALS activities including climate-resilient agriculture, coordination with UNOPS on water infrastructure utilization, post-harvest management (distribution of metal silos and hermetic bags), and livelihoods.

·         Ensure implementation planning is aligned with agricultural seasons, climate forecasts and local production calendars, with timely adaptation of activities where climate, access or market conditions change

·         Ensure that all project deliverables are completed within agreed timelines and budgets.

·         Develop and regularly update detailed work plans and track progress against targets

·         Ensure proper documentation and filing of all project records (soft and hard copies).

·         Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation quality and provide technical guidance.

·         Coordinate timely preparation, quality assurance and submission of WFP-required narrative, quantitative and financial reporting, ensuring consistency between programme results, expenditure and approved targets

·         Integrate conflict-sensitive, protection-informed, and gender-responsive approaches across all activities.

·         Serve as the primary focal point for project implementation at field level, including engagement with donors such as World Food Programme where applicable.

·         Ensure the project implements the Complaints Feedback Mechanism (CFM) and adheres to the Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) lens in beneficiary targeting to prevent elite capture

·         Lead periodic reflection and learning reviews with the project team and partners, using monitoring, field-level evidence and beneficiary feedback to adapt implementation and strengthen project performance

R2: Technical Oversight & Capacity Development

·         Provide technical oversight on the operation and maintenance (O&M) of shared equipment models, fodder conservation (feed block-making machines), and market systems development.

·         Support implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS), post-harvest management practices, and agricultural input distribution.

·         Lead the establishment of pay-per-use or shared-service models for tillage tractors and grain threshers to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Ensure that appropriate management, ownership, access, operation and maintenance arrangements are established for project-supported agricultural machinery and equipment, including sustainable shared-service or fee-for-service models where appropriate

·         Oversee the technical training of 15,000 households in regenerative practices and Farmer Field Schools (FFS) tailored to riverine and pastoral contexts.

·         Facilitate the "Graduation Model" by transitioning Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) into formal Microfinance Institution (MFI) pathways.

·         Oversee market-linkage and collective marketing activities for priority agricultural and livestock value chains, ensuring that farmer groups and cooperatives are linked to relevant traders, service providers and market information.

·         Oversee post-harvest management interventions, including grain threshing, storage, metal silos, hermetic/insecticide-treated bags and related farmer training, ensuring appropriate use, maintenance and sustainability of equipment and technologies

·         Conduct continuous conflict and protection risk analysis to navigate clan dynamics and prevent resource-based conflicts over new water and rangeland assets.

·         Facilitate market linkages for specific value chains: maize, sorghum, cowpeas, and small ruminants (sheep/goats).

·         Oversee the establishment and strengthening of community-based early warning and disaster risk reduction structures, ensuring linkages with local disaster management authorities, climate information, preparedness planning and appropriate early action

·         Ensure total compliance with AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) and the Environmental & Social Management Plan (ESMP).

·         Assess and monitor the capacity of contractors to implement ESIA measures and site-specific mitigation strategies.

·         Identify capacity gaps within the team and develop targeted capacity-building plans.

·         Provide ongoing mentorship and technical support to Project Officers and Assistants.

·         Facilitate training for farmers, cooperatives, and community structures on climate resilience, livelihoods, and disaster preparedness.

·         Ensure adherence to minimum technical standards and best practices in food security and resilience programming.

R3: Coordination & Partnership

·         Technical Liaison:  Coordinate with UNOPS and relevant authorities on the handover, operationalization and appropriate utilization of rehabilitated water infrastructure, ensuring alignment with agricultural production and community needs.

·         Policy Alignment:  Coordinate with the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range (MoLFR) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) to align field activities with the National Transformation Plan.

·         Risk Management:  Partner with the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to mainstream anticipatory action and early warning systems into community disaster risk management.

·         Coordinate day-to-day project implementation with internal teams and external stakeholders.

·         Serve as the primary technical liaison with UNOPS to synchronize the "soft" extension services with "hard" infrastructure completions

·         Support the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) in integrating the M-Dalag digital extension system for pest and disease surveillance

·         Maintain strong working relationships with local authorities, line ministries, and community leaders.

·         Represent DRC in coordination platforms, including cluster meetings and local forums.

·         Ensure effective communication and collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

·         Promote integration and complementarity with other programmes and actors in Beledweyne.

·         Strengthen engagement with community structures such as farmer groups, cooperatives, and DRR committees.

R4: Budget, Procurement and Compliance Oversight

·         Oversee the approved project budget, ensuring effective budget monitoring, forecasting, expenditure tracking and timely corrective action in coordination with FinanceMonitor budget utilization and ensuring expenditures are in line with approved plans and DRC financial procedures.

·         Prepare and update spending plans, and cash forecasts.

·         Conduct regular budget reviews (BFU) and ensure timely corrective actions where needed.

·         Lead the development, review and timely implementation of the project procurement plan in coordination with Supply Chain and technical teams, identifying procurement risks, seasonal constraints and mitigation measures

·         Ensure appropriate management, operation, maintenance and sustainability arrangements for project-supported agricultural machinery and equipment

·         Ensure timely initiation of procurement processes for critical agricultural inputs, machinery and equipment to avoid delays to seasonal activities

·         Ensure efficient and transparent use of resources in compliance with donor regulations.

R5: Staff Management

·         Lead, supervise, and motivate Project Officers and Assistants.

·         Set clear performance objectives and conduct regular performance reviews.

·         Ensure effective team planning, coordination, and communication.

·         Promote staff participation in decision-making and problem-solving.

·         Ensure timely recruitment and onboarding of qualified staff where required.

·         Foster a positive team environment and support staff development and wellbeing.

R6: Country-Level Economic Recovery Support

·         Provide managerial support to the Economic Recovery team and other DRC programmes in Somalia to strengthen the quality, coherence and integration of economic recovery and livelihoods programming across locations.

·         Contribute to the development, review and adaptation of DRC’s country-level Economic Recovery approaches, tools, guidance and programme models, drawing on learning and evidence from ACALS implementation and other relevant programmes.

·         Support identification of economic recovery opportunities, including market-based livelihoods, financial inclusion, enterprise development, value-chain strengthening and climate-resilient livelihoods, and promote linkages and complementarity across DRC programmes.

·         Contribute to country-level technical learning, capacity building, assessments, proposal development and strategic discussions related to Economic Recovery, as requested.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have:

·         Minimum Bachelor in Rural Development, International Development, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, or other relevant fields.  

·         Further short trainings in project management, livelihoods and other technical areas is highly desirable for this role

·         Minimum 5 years of experience in managing donor-funded humanitarian or development projects.

·         At least 3 years of experience in food security, livelihoods, or resilience programming.

·         Demonstrated experience in climate-resilient agriculture, irrigation, or market systems development.

·         Strong understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and accountability frameworks.

·         Proven experience in project cycle management (PCM), including planning, implementation, and reporting.

·         Proven experience in Market Systems Development (MSD) and establishing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)

·         Experience in team management and capacity building.

·         Strong analytical, reporting, and communication skills.

·         Good understanding of conflict-sensitive programming and protection principles.

·         Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

·         Strong interpersonal, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.

·         Deep understanding of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation, specifically concerning the safety of women at distribution sites and water points

·         Languages: Proficiency in written & spoken both English and Somali

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length:  6 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Employment Band: M-F2

Work location: Beledweyne

Start date: 20th October 2026

Reporting to: Base Manager, Hirshabelle

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for

employees on national contract.

Application process

·         All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

·         Closing date for applications: 30th September 2026.

·         The vacancy is open to both internal and external applicants. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.