Job Title : Project Coordinator for ACE II Project
Organization: Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
Funding Source : World Bank
Project Name : East and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence Project
Duty Station : Kampala, Uganda
Salary Grade: P4 as per East African Community Staff Rules and regulations
Reports to :Executive Secretary
Recommended:
Duration : Ends on 31st December 2025
BACKGROUND
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is an institution of the East African Community (EAC) responsible for the development and coordination of higher education and research in the region.
The World Bank, in collaboration with the governments of eight participating countries, has been funding and supporting the establishment of African Centers of Excellence (ACEs) in selected universities in Eastern and Southern Africa.
In mid-2022, the World Bank approved Additional Financing (AF) for Malawi and Mozambique to establish 5 new ACEs, increasing the total number of Centers of Excellence to 29. The main objective of the AF is to strengthen linkages between universities in the participating countries and regional agricultural sector needs through: (i) promotion of agri-food related education and training using trans-disciplinary approaches and applied research; (ii) strengthening university linkages with the regional agricultural sector, taking into account its priorities, needs and stakeholders; and (iii) building university partnerships with private and public entities related to agri-food, both within and outside the region.
Currently, there are 8 ACEs receiving support and guidance in Malawi and Mozambique, with the project set to conclude on December 31, 2025.
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) was competitively selected as the Regional Facilitation Unit for ACE II and approved to continue facilitating and coordinating the implementation of the project activities under AF, providing capacity-building support to assist the ACEs, supporting project operations, including M&E, and verifying ACEs’ results for disbursement.
A Regional Steering Committee (RSC) composed of representatives from the ACE II participating countries and other key experts oversees and guides the project’s implementation at a strategic level.
Job Summary: The Project Coordinator ACE II (P4 Grade)
The Project Coordinator will lead the Project Team at RFU and manage and coordinate the implementation of the ACE II project. This role involves providing strategic leadership, effective management, and technical guidance. Additionally, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for producing quality outputs and providing implementation support and guidance to enable the ACEs to implement their proposals.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the delivery of the ACE II Project according to the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Project Implementation Manual (PIM), Grant Agreement, and relevant World Bank policies.
- Manage day-to-day project operations at the RFU, offering support and guidance to staff.
- Develop and secure approval for RFU annual work plans, supervise their implementation, and report on the ACE II Project’s Components 2 and 3.
- Ensure timely submission of necessary financial reports, such as quarterly unaudited interim financial reports and annual audit reports.
- Work with ACEs to create and submit their annual work plans and procurement plans, evaluate these plans, and assist ACEs in executing them.
- Arrange regular meetings with ACEs to monitor project progress and address pertinent issues.
- Plan, organize, and facilitate RSC meetings.
- Represent the project in relevant forums.
- Supervise financial and procurement functions in line with the grant agreement.
- Efficiently coordinate project operational tasks.
- Supervise and coordinate the independent verification of project outcomes and disbursement notifications to countries.
- Ensure timely preparation and sharing of project reports with the RSC and the World Bank.
- Coordinate and participate in implementation support missions.
- Arrange regular project management meetings with the World Bank.
- Promote knowledge sharing among ACEs and partner institutions. Facilitate meetings with higher education agencies linked to the ACE II Project.
- Facilitate and coordinate networking among the ACEs of ACEII and between them and other Centres of Excellence in Africa and beyond.
- Undertake other duties as assigned by the IUCEA Executive Secretary.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Timely implementation of annual work plans and procurement plans, with at least 70 percent of the plans satisfactorily executed.
- Satisfactory verification of results (PBCs) for disbursement.
- Satisfactory quarterly M&E reports as per the results framework.
- Timely preparation and submission of the required financial reports
- Convening of RSC meetings and ACE II Project technical and advisory workshops as required.
- Conduct satisfaction surveys of ACEs.
- Hold knowledge sharing meetings.
- Provide periodic reports on substantial matters arising from specific ACEs to contribute to ACE II Project implementation support mission’s reports and documentation.
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Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
The ideal candidate should have:
- A PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field, with preference given degrees in Agriculture or related fields (Engineering, Economics, Public Policy) and a minimum of 10 years of proven experience in a senior leadership/managerial role working with government agencies and with partner organizations; OR a MSc in a STEM field and a minimum of 15 years of proven experience in a senior leadership/managerial role working with government agencies and with partner organization.
- A postgraduate Diploma or certification in Project Planning and Management.
- A minimum of 10 years of proven experience in a senior leadership/managerial role working with government agencies and with partner organizations.
- Eight (8) years of working experience at a university.
- Five (5) years of working experience in managing projects funded by multinational development agencies.
- Strong analytical and technical skills, including an understanding of the core education data sets, indicators, tools for analysis of these data, and the use of evidence for education policy.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment with minimal supervision.
- High levels of energy, initiative and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements, as well as ability to juggle numerous competing demands and priorities, respond quickly to internal and external requests, and set priorities for self and others.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) skills to convey complex technical ideas to a non-specialist audience and lead substantive policy dialogue with stakeholders.
- Familiarity with higher education and research dynamics in Eastern and Southern African sub-regions, as well as globally.
Additionally:
- Experience with the higher education Centres of Excellence in Eastern and Southern African sub-regions will be desirable.
- Relevant experience with policies and interventions in the higher education sector, and familiarity with World Bank’s operations and business processes will be a plus.
- Language skills – Foreign language, Portuguese in particular– will be an advantage.
- Applicants from ACE II Centers of Excellence will have an added advantage.
How to Apply
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their application form that should be downloaded and filled online accompanied with the following:
- Certified copies of the applicant’s degree awards.
- Application letter.
- Update Curriculum Vitae.
- Addresses of three referees, one of whom should be the current immediate supervisor.
- Proof of nationality/copy of passport biodata page.
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Applications should be marked “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ………..Title of Position….” in soft copy addressed to:
The Executive Secretary,
Inter-University Council for East Africa
Plot M833, Kigobe Road Kampala, Kyambogo
P.O. Box 7110, Kampala, Uganda
Email to: recruit@iucea.org.
Deadline: July 11