Project Manager (The Gambia)

Job Title: Project Manager

Location: Banjul, with regular travel to project communities in the Greater Banjul Area / Tanbi Wetlands catchment

Reports to: Country Programme Manager – The Gambia

Direct Reports: Short-term consultants/service providers (as required)

Key Relationships:

Internal: Director of Programmes, Head of Strategy & Impact, Senior External Engagement Officer, Communications Officer, Members of the WasteAid Gambia Team.

External: Municipal councils, community leadership structures, recyclers/offtakers/aggregators, relevant government bodies and NGOs.

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 promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence based and inclusive practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action. We partner with public, private and community-based organisations in countries where practices are harming the environment, economy and society.

Context and Programme Summary

This role will lead delivery and scale-up of Phase 2 of the First Step Resource Management Programme, with the goal of reducing plastic waste dumped in and around water sources feeding the Tanbi Wetlands through:

· Building local collection and processing capacity,

· Enabling financially sustainable collector enterprises with market linkages and reliable offtakers, and

· Influencing community knowledge/attitudes/practices on plastic waste disposal.

Expected results include functional collector groups operating safely and profitably, increased volumes of plastic recovered and sent for recycling, formalised partnerships across collector groups/municipal councils/private sector recyclers, and measurable improvements in community behaviour.

Job Purpose

The Project Manager is accountable for the high-quality delivery and operational leadership of nominated project(s) in The Gambia, initially focused on scaling first-step resource management systems that support plastics recycling and protect the Tanbi Wetlands. Working under the strategic direction of the Country Programme Manager, the post-holder will ensure strong implementation, robust compliance and reporting, effective partnerships, and practical systems that enable expansion, sustainability, and future funding.

Accountability note: This role leads day-to-day programme delivery and scale-up execution; overall country strategy, donor positioning, and portfolio direction remain with the Country Programme Manager.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

1) Delivery Leadership and Scale-Up Readiness:

· Lead programme start-up and scale-up planning, translating objectives and expected results into a practical delivery plan, sequencing, and resourcing approach.

· Operationalise scale-up readiness across delivery systems, partner coordination, procurement planning, risk controls, and learning loops, in line with guidance from the Country Programme Manager.

· Provide timely implementation insights (risks, constraints, learning, opportunities) to inform Country Programme Manager decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

2) Programme Delivery and Quality Assurance:

· Own and manage the integrated workplan; ensure timely delivery of activities and milestones.

· Lead field implementation across the programme objectives, including training, equipment provision, establishment/strengthening of collection and processing centres, and support to collectors and aggregators.

· Ensure implementation is inclusive, safe, community-led, and aligned with WasteAid quality standards.

· Manage external consultants and service providers through clear TORs, deliverables, and performance oversight

3) Partnerships, Government Engagement and Market Systems:

· Build and maintain strong working relationships with municipal councils, community leaders, relevant government bodies, NGOs, and private sector actors.

· Strengthen market linkages between collector groups, aggregators, and recyclers/offtakers—supporting reliable, fair, and sustainable offtake arrangements.

· Lead stakeholder coordination and problem-solving to address operational constraints affecting collection coverage and system performance.

· Represent WasteAid at relevant external meetings and events.

4) Budget Management, Compliance and Procurement:

· Manage project budgets, forecasting, and spending controls; monitor burn rate and take corrective action to stay on track.

· Ensure compliance with donor requirements and WasteAid finance and procurement policies (including cash advance management and documentation).

· Lead procurement planning and execution with transparency and value-for-money; maintain accurate procurement and asset records.

· Coordinate with Grants Finance Officer on timely and accurate financial reporting.

5) Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

· Implement a practical MEAL approach aligned to donor requirements and programme objectives, in collaboration with relevant colleagues.

· Ensure routine monitoring, data quality, and evidence capture across communities and partners.

· Commission and manage assessments/evaluations where required; ensure findings are used to improve delivery.

· Document learning and support adaptive management to strengthen sustainability and readiness for expansion.

6) Donor Reporting and Communications:

· Lead timely, high-quality narrative reporting to the donor, covering progress, results, risks, mitigation, learning, and value-for-money.

· Work with communications colleagues to capture field stories, photos (where consented), and case studies that demonstrate impact and programme learning

7) Team Leadership and Partner Capacity Strengthening:

· Line-manage and coach Project Officer(s); set clear priorities, provide feedback, and support performance and wellbeing.

· Build partner capacity (collector groups, councils, aggregators) through coaching and practical systems (records, route planning, safety practices, quality control, and business readiness).

· Promote a culture of accountability, safeguarding, and continuous improvement.

8) Risk Management, Safeguarding and Duty of Care:

· Maintain and actively manage a project risk register (delivery, fiduciary, safeguarding, reputational and operational risks); escalate issues appropriately.

· Uphold WasteAid’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding requirements; ensure partners and contractors meet required standards.

· Ensure safe working practices across field activities, including appropriate use of PPE and duty of care procedures.

9) Pipeline Support:

· Identify delivery lessons and evidence that can strengthen future proposals and partnerships.

· Support the Country Programme Manager and fundraising colleagues with inputs to concept notes and proposals (implementation approach, budgets, delivery risks, and evidence of results).

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

 

Person Specification

Essential

· Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent professional experience).

· Strong experience delivering donor-funded programmes with high compliance and reporting standards.

· Proven ability to manage budgets and procurement processes with strong financial controls and value-for-money.

· Demonstrable experience building and managing partnerships with government/municipal stakeholders, communities, and private sector actors.

· Experience in community-led implementation and capacity strengthening for sustainability.

· Team leadership and people management experience, including supervision of staff and/or consultants.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting high-quality donor reports

Desirable

· Experience in waste management, recycling, circular economy, or informal livelihoods programming in The Gambia or the region.

· Experience developing and maintaining value-chain/market linkages (aggregators, recyclers/offtakers, pricing, quality standards, supply assurance).

· Experience designing or managing behaviour change / awareness programming and measuring changes in knowledge and practices.

· Experience with MEAL frameworks and managing baseline/endline studies or third-party evaluations.

· Experience working in matrix teams across country and remote functions

Core Competencies

· Delivery-focused leadership: plans, executes, tracks, adapts, and meets deadlines under operational constraints.

· Sound judgement, proactive risk management, and clear decision-making.

· Relationship building and stakeholder management across diverse groups.

· Solutions-oriented and hands-on, with a strong sense of accountability.

· Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and ethical practice

How to Apply

To apply please send your CV, salary history/expectations for this role, and a 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 Project Manager – The Gambia in the email subject box.

Deadline for applications is Sunday 12th April 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.

Applicants will ideally be already based in The Gambia and have the right to live and work in the country.

The successful applicant will be salaried in GBP, paid from the UK, and required to take responsibility for deduction and remittance of their own taxes and other statutory payments in The Gambia.

WasteAid is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from candidates from historically underrepresented groups.