Project Manager - Abaco

OrganIzation & OPERATION

Founded in 2017, Global Emergency Relief, Recovery & Reconstruction (GER3) is a non-profit that supports crisis-affected communities to build back better. GER3 clears the debris left by a disaster, provides temporary facilities and immediately starts the reconstruction process with a particular focus on affected homes, schools and health facilities. GER3 is committed to using sustainable, culturally appropriate and community-led interventions. GER3 works in partnership with a range of international and national entities.

Since Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamian Islands in September 2019, GER3 has been actively involved in the relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas. Beginning on the island of Grand Bahama and now working on Abaco, GER3 has led debris management and sustainable recovery programs focused on communities and schools.

In June 2020, GER3 was awarded funding for a new project titled “Building Resilience and Increasing Preparedness in the Abaco Islands, Bahamas”. With a strong focus on hurricane shelters and homes, this project seeks to rehabilitate communities on Abaco and to ensure communities are more resilient and better prepared for future hurricanes and emergencies. The project will support the rehabilitation of two (2) government-sanctioned hurricane shelters, such as schools, churches, and community centers on Abaco.  In addition to repairs and upgrades to the shelters themselves, GER3 will train local community representatives as shelter managers and provide the shelters with essential emergency items.  The project will also support a minimum of fifteen (15) hurricane-damaged private homes in the Marsh Harbour area, utilizing a cash modality similar to the approach of the DRA and the Red Cross. As with all of GER3’s programs, there will be a community-led approach to both program design and implementation.  The community members and homeowners will be the primary community stakeholders engaged along with all the other organizations and governmental representatives.

GER3 recognizes the significant amount of reconstruction work that remains to be completed on Abaco and sees many opportunities for GER3 to support.  In addition to the project described above, project plans are being developed for several additional projects that may begin in August or early fall. The works associated with these projects might also be included within the new project manager’s scope of work.

Position

The GER3 Project Manager position is based in Abaco, The Bahamas. The Manager is responsible for managing GER3’s Shelter and Home Rehabilitation project, as described above. The position is responsible for ensuring the project is delivered on time, within budget and to standards that meet and exceed the expectations of GER3, the Bahamian Government, donors and the Abaco community.

With an aim to ensure a philosophy of “build back better” and enhanced building resilience, the Project Manager will lead GER3’s efforts to complete the rehabilitation of two hurricane shelters and 15 vulnerable homes. The duration of the project is expected to be between 3 and 4 months (currently projected from August 1st through end of October). The Project Manager will report to and work closely with the GER3 Program Manager in Abaco (along with GER3 colleagues at headquarters level) to ensure the GER3 program operates safely, productively, according to budget and (most importantly) meets the needs of the community being served.

Project Planning

• Finalize a detailed scope of work, budget and project plan for the rehabilitation of the two shelters (including shelter management training and provision of emergency supplies) and the 15 vulnerable homes.

• Facilitate detailed assessments of the current conditions of the shelters and homes, providing technical inputs and incorporating the results into the scope of work & associated project plan.

• Work with Program Manager to determine how the scopes of work will be divided between local contractor and GER3 daily workers.

• With the Program Manager, develop a new system for safely disbursing cash grants for home rehabilitation.

Project Management

• Implement a sound and detailed project management approach to manage all aspects of the project.

• Implement financial management processes and systems, ensuring that the project is delivered within the authorized budget, optimizing cost and quality parameters.

• Ensure timelines are met and that necessary preplanning and scheduling is completed in a timely manner to ensure contractors and suppliers can meet and exceed expectations.

• Maintain regular, comprehensive and open communication with all key project stakeholders (Bahamian Government, donor agencies, partners, etc.).

• Participate in key partner and donor meetings to share progress updates and ensure effective collaboration and communication.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Identify and contract appropriately skilled and qualified contractors to undertake rehabilitation and reconstruction activities through competitive bidding process.

• Manage contractor activities and scheduling to ensure the required scope of work is completed within budget and time scale. 

• Ensure that the project delivers the contracted engineering requirements using the highest levels of technical expertise and efficiency.

• Coordinate and arrange payment for contractors at agreed stages of the project with the support of GER3’s finance/accounting personnel.

Reporting and Information Sharing 

• Update and share internal and external project status reports (weekly and monthly) to relevant stakeholders, highlighting progress to date, budget and timeline variance, and existing or expected challenges that need addressing.

• Manage the overall project budget.

• At completion of project, provide a detailed handover document which highlights work completed and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Safety, Quality and Regulatory Management

• Obtain valid building permit and insurance to cover the works being undertaken.

• Ensure all work undertaken meets code specifications and the necessary quality and regulatory standards.

• Communicate GER3 policies (Code of Conduct, Health and Safety, Environmental, etc.) to all members of the project team.

• Ensure the site remains a safe and healthy work environment at all times, ensuring that workers use necessary safety and PPE.

• Implement necessary safety precautions to protect the communities from harm resulting from worksite activities (as this is a public space with public access).

• Engage with relevant government authorities to ensure their inspection and approval of building practices and the work being completed in a timely manner. Facilitate necessary site visits when required.

General Responsibilities & Duties

• Meet the needs of communities GER3 supports.

• Ensure the safety and security of the project teams, partners and the communities.

• Manage the GER3 project to ensure efficiency, quality, timely, and cost-effective management of resources.

• Facilitate donor visits and donor communications throughout the duration of the work.

• Evaluate the performance of the project’s staff, contractors and suppliers, ensuring that all actions are consistent with GER3 values and support team members with performance improvement.

• Report GER3 project performance against overall objectives, targets, and budgets.  Work with fellow team members to make necessary adjustments to improve program performance. 

• Develop and report on key metrics tied to team performance.

• Ensure that GER3 is meeting the highest levels of partner satisfaction.

• Recommend adjustments and improvements to GER3 programming procedures, policies, and standards.

• Take responsible care for GER3 facilities and equipment infrastructure including all field equipment.

• Other duties as assigned.

SPECIFICS

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of relevant construction project management experience, ideally on commercial or public infrastructure projects.

• Relevant Master’s Degree (construction management, architecture, engineering or related field) or equivalent experience is highly desirable.

• Relevant humanitarian, shelter, recovery or reconstruction experience is highly desirable.

• Knowledge of construction best practices and commercial and contractual management.

• Knowledge and proven ability in risk management, security and safety in complex environments.

• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse teams and partnering with a wide range of stakeholders.

• A demonstrated high level of personal responsibility, self-motivation and leadership ability.

• Smart and strong organizational skills, detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple priorities and projects under tight time constraints.

• Demonstrated professional aptitude that includes, but is not limited to, being responsible, disciplined, adaptable, accountable, client-focused and having a strong work ethic. “Can-Do”, positive attitude and ability to overcome significant challenges by using problem-solving techniques, open-mindedness and adaptability.

• Proven respect of others regardless of age, gender, economic status, cultural background, nationality, religion, political affiliation, race or sexuality. 

• Values consistent with GER3’s values including integrity, honesty, courage, acting in an honorable manner and respect of all others.

OUR COMMITMENT

GER3 believes that the main driver of a successful operation and organization is having the best people engaged throughout the organization. Our culture emphasizes the best of what a new international humanitarian organization like GER3 offers - work hard, reap the rewards of working with an emerging and growing organization that is flexible and nimble, work with people that are incredibly bright and motivated, create real change in communities, own your career development, and be a part of incredibly fulfilling experiences that improve people’s lives. 

GER3 is an equal opportunity employer, recruiting people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or belief, color, sex or sexual orientation, age, disability, or ethnic group. All recruitment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and organizational need.

APPLY NOW

For those who meet our qualifications and seek to join this exciting GER3 program, please apply now for this position by sending a cover letter, your Curriculum Vitae and contact details for three professional references with the subject line Project Manager Position to jo.fox@ger3.org. GER3 will contact you for an interview if based on your cover letter and CV we believe that you could be a good match with this position. Deadline for applications: 25 July 2020.