Project Manager GFA Regional Hub Western Balkans

Position: Project Manager GFA Regional Hub Western Balkans

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Contract: full-time, one year contract with possibility of extension

Introduction: We are a leading European consulting company working in international development cooperation. Since 1982, we have implemented numerous projects and studies in over 130 countries, focusing on topics of global importance. We are dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world and providing technical advisory services to state and non-state actors. We promote sustainability in our international projects as well as at our headquarters in Hamburg because we contribute to achieving the world’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our multinational and multicultural team of professionals is at the heart of our success.

Within GFA Group, GFA South East Europe has the function of a regional hub and is engaged in the  acquisition of new contracts and implementation of technical assistance projects in the Western Balkans. We are looking for a project manager to join our team.

Objective: To carry out particular tasks within the acquisition and project management of GFA tenders and projects within the country and region. The Project Manager provides the administrative and financial backstopping for projects and contributes to the acquisition of new projects as well as to visibility activities of GFA in the region.

The Project Manager reports to the director of GFA South East Europe acting as Regional Hub Coordinator. When the Project Manager is tasked with project management on behalf of a particular technical department, he/she reports to the consultant or portfolio manager responsible for the project at HQ level.

Tasks

Project Management:

• Independent project management including monitoring of KPIs and the project budget (within the framework of GFA standard processes).
• Quality control of project reports and other knowledge products from the projects.
• Contact person for contracting authority, consortium partners and experts for any administrative and financial matters concerning the project.
• Monitoring of team leader budgets and the utilisation of expert days.
• Preparing quarterly estimates of project revenues and costs to Controlling.
• Checking invoices, timesheets, monthly journals, inventory, and project fund requests.
• Preparing and compiling of documents for invoicing.
• Expert negotiations and contract management
• Onboarding of (new) project staff in GFA administrative processes.
• Preparation and participation in project relevant meetings and events (e.g. steering commit- tee meetings, kick-off, closing event, etc.).
• Reference: -SBRH-nETVBXlWscbuF1m9C53jDF0Psm7yD8jlQJ44M.

• Continuous screening of market opportunities
• Defining composition of project teams: Identification and recruitment of experts
• Preparation of pre-qualifications and coordination of technical and financial proposals
• Preparation and support to fact-finding activities and missions (e.g. background research and identification of key stakeholders)
• Maintenance of client, partner, and expert contacts

• Visibility and Networking: Prepare and implement activities to increase GFA visibility in the re- gion, e.g. thematic or networking events, attendance of key events relevant for GFA.

Requirements

Technical Qualification

• Completed relevant university studies (bachelor degree or equivalent) relevant for oner of the technical areas: governance, environment, or energy.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in project management and/or business develop- ment.
• Experience in the development cooperation consulting sector is a distinct advantage.
• Familiarity with the procedures of the European and/or German donors (EU IPA, EIB, EBRD, GIZ, KfW) would be a strong asset
• Full proficiency in written and spoken English. Professional working proficiency in French would be desirable.
• IT skills: very good user knowledge in MS-Office, especially Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint as well as secure handling of databases

Personal / Social Skills

Flexibility and curiosity are personal qualities that all employees in an international and dynamic com- pany like GFA should bring with them. The daily work is characterised by a high quality standard with tight deadlines. This requires pronounced teamwork, motivation for high-level performance as well as a binding communication behavior. For this position, the following competencies are mutually im- portant:

• Pronounced problem-solving behavior, analytical thinking, and quick perception
• High-level consulting, mediation and moderation competence is an asset
• Willingness to take on responsibility within a defined framework.
• Very good written and oral communication skills
• Very good organizational and structuring skills
• Independent and result-oriented working method combined with a high-quality awareness
• Confident and customer-oriented appearance
• Leadership skills that can be developed: sense of responsibility, decision-making, motivation and delegation skills, positive basic attitude, ability to self-criticism and self-reflection
• Negotiating skills
• Ability to think in networks
• Political awareness and intercultural competence
• Enjoyment in the development of new subject areas
• Readiness to travel
• Efficient time management