Project Manager GFA Regional Hub for Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Affiliated companies of GFA GROUP: GFA B.I.S. ∙ GFA Holding ∙ GFA Certification ∙GFA Consulting Group ∙ GFA South East Europe ∙ GFA SysCom ∙ GKW Consult ∙ HEAT ∙Projekt-Consult

Position: Project Manager GFA Regional Hub for Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

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

Introduction: GFA Consulting group (GFA CG), a part of the GFA GROUP, is 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.

GFA CG has established Regional Hubs in the Balkans, West Africa and East Africa to deliver measurable value to its clients in high-quality project management by integrating client proximity with operational agility and robust quality assurance.

Regional Hub for Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia is hosted by GFA CG’s subsidiary company GFA South Eastern Europe (SEE), based in Belgrade, Serbia. It is engaged in the acquisition of new contracts and implementation of technical assistance projects in designated region.

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 Regional Hub Manager. 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.

1 Tasks

Project Management:

• Independent project management, including monitoring KPIs and project budgets within GFA’s standard processes
• Quality control of project reports and other project knowledge products
• Act as the primary point of contact for the contracting authority, consortium partners, and experts on all administrative and financial matters on the project
• Monitor team leader budgets and expert day allocations
• Prepare quarterly revenue and cost estimates for Controlling
• Review invoices, timesheets, monthly journals, inventory lists, and project fund requests
• Prepare and compile documentation for invoicing
• Conduct expert negotiations and manage expert contracts
• Prepare for and participate in project-related meetings and events, such as steering committee meetings, kick-offs, and closing events
• Onboarding of (new) project staff in GFA administrative processes
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Acquisition:

• Continuous screening of market opportunities
• Define the composition of project teams, including the identification and recruitment of experts
• Prepare pre-qualification documents and coordinate technical and financial proposals
• Prepare and support fact-finding activities and missions (e.g. background research and identification of key stakeholders)
• Maintenance of client, partner, and expert contacts

Other:

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

2 Requirements

Technical Qualification

• Completed relevant university studies (bachelor degree or equivalent) relevant for one of the technical areas: governance, environment, or energy.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in project management and/or business development.
• 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.
• 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 company 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 behaviour. For this position, the following competencies are mutually important:

• Pronounced problem-solving behaviour, 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

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV, a motivation letter, and a recommendation letter.