Banana Accompanying Measurers

The Financing Agreement for the BAM 2012 programme was signed on the 18th February 2013. The overall objective of the proposed programme is to foster social and economic development contributing to the reduction of poverty, focusing on the workers and their families in the region of the Stann Creek and northern Toledo districts of Belize.

Its specific objective is to ensure that the efficiency of banana production is increased, the economic and social development of the banana farmers, their workers and communities are improved.  Three expected results are foreseen, namely:

(i) increased efficiency of banana production

(ii) improved economic diversification opportunities for rural communities in the target region; and

(iii) improved quality of and better access to heath, water and sanitation services.

The National Authorizing Office (NAO), which is part of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in Belize will be the Contracting Authority for the Belize Accompanying Measures 2012 programme.  It seeks to recruit a Technical Assistance Team (TAT) to provide resident technical and administrative assistance that will enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture which is the Implementing Agency for the programme.

The Team Leader -Project Manager will be responsible for the following activities:

  • Assist with the preparation and review of all tender and contracting documents relating to work, supply, and service contracts ensuring adherence to EU and GoB requirements;
  • Manage the overall implementation and monitoring of the Banana Accompanying Measures, using relevant project monitoring tools to be submitted as part of the project reports;
  • Oversee the economic and social development components of the project and ensure close coordination/collaboration with other EU funded rural development programmes;
  • Liaise with the Banana Growers’ Association, the NAO office, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture and other Line Ministries, the EU Delegation and all the parties involved;
  • Prepare technical and financial reports, providing an analysis of project activities and achievements, including keeping all reports updated by preparing monthly statements, monthly reconciliation, and monthly budget expenses;
  • Maintenance of up-to-date records of expenditure of the project and available balances – for timely and accurate reporting to the NAO and EU;
  • Implement the Communication and Visibility plan of the project;                                                                               
  • Exercise fiduciary responsibility with respect to legitimacy of all expenditures in accordance with EU and GoB procedures.  Ensure that all invoices and receipts are correct; prepare and check payments for projects;
  • Prepare draft contracts and follow up on execution (e.g. issuing of commencement orders, selection of payment methods and the preparation of provisional and final acceptance certificates);
  • Oversee timely implementation of programme estimates and application of rules and procedures related to this implementation modality;
  • Ensure timely preparation of payment requests by the NAO office for transmission to the EU by agreed deadlines under the BAM;
  • Maintain a management information system for the management of project funds and make forecasting of payments;
  • Serve as the Recording Secretary for the Project Steering Committee meetings;
  • Other relevant BAM-related duties assigned by the National Authorising Office.
Qualifications: 

The Team Leader and will be responsible for the overall management, coordination and monitoring of the BAM programme, the TAT and its activities, and in assisting the NAO office in the implementation of programme estimates.

S/he will support the NAO office in the preparation of guidelines to launch one or more call for proposals for implementation of grants under the competitiveness component of the BAM.

Qualifications and skills

  • Master’s degree in Development Economics, Rural Development, Business Administration and Management or a relevant, directly related discipline or an equivalent of preferably 15, minimum 10, years of relevant, directly related experience.
  • Excellent command of the English language with excellent communication skills (oral and written)
  • working knowledge of the Spanish language an advantage;
  • Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the proven ability in managing a team of individual experts and to undertake tasks and assignments under minimal supervision;
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and related project management computer software.

General professional experience

  • Preferably 10 years of experience, but a minimum of 7 years required in leadership roles managing rural and/or socio-economic development programmes and projects, including contractual and financial management experience in ACP countries.
  • Preferably 10 years of experience, but a minimum of 7 years required of demonstrated experience in institutional strengthening, capacity building and training/mentoring.
  • Preferably 10 years of experience, but a minimum of 7 years required in managing projects using EU procedures for implementation of external actions (PRAG).

Specific professional experience

  • Experience as a Team Leader/Project manager in at least 2 similar positions for a period of at least 2 years in each instance (dealing with agricultural sector competitiveness; integrated rural development, socio-economic development for poverty reduction and related issues);
  • Preferably 10 years, but a minimum of 7 years, hands-on experience in EU (Budget and/or EDF) contractual procedures and implementation modalities and management working at various levels in accordance with the PRAG (drafting of terms of reference and project proposals, preparation of log-frames, preparation and management of programme estimates, preparation of tender documents; launching and evaluation of tenders, award of contracts, drawing up of contracts, contract management, etc..);
  • Preferably 5 years, but a minimum of 3 years, experience in monitoring EU-funded projects in particular through the use of Project Cycle Management tools (e.g. Logical Framework tool, Monitoring and Evaluation framework and methodology).
  • Experience of provision of institutional support to government departments at a senior level including the provision of technical support and coaching to implementers/beneficiaries in at least 2 previous contracts.
  • Working experience in Latin American and the Caribbean region is an advantage.
Start / Duration: 

The intended start date is November 5, 2013 and the period of implementation of the contract will be 36 months from this date.

If you are interested to cooperate with AFC Consultsns International in this tender, please send you most recent CV to:

Barbara.Barbara.Braun [at] afci.de

Thank you!