Job Title Project Manager

Reports to Position Title PVPSSA Deputy Director

Research Project Title Promotion of Vancouver Principles in Sub-Saharan Africa

Faculty/ Department Africa Center of Excellence, The Dallaire Institute

FTE (based on 35 paid hr work week) 100%

Duration 12 months. Full-time

Date Created/Updated 02/2025

About the Dallaire Institute                                                                               

Lt. General Romeo Dallaire founded the Child Soldiers Initiative in 2007 and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, provided a home to the Initiative in 2010.  In 2020, the Initiative became the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, an international repository of expertise, research, and advocacy to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence.  The Dallaire Institute is the co-developer of the 2017 Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. As part of Dalhousie University, the Dallaire Institute hosts a prestigious Tier 1 Canada Research Chair on International Peace, Security and Children and offers undergraduate and graduate courses. Through academic and practitioner training and community engagement, the Dallaire Institute’s interdisciplinary and applied research advances innovative strategies for preventing recruitment and use of children in armed violence.  The Dallaire Institute is supported through private, public and international contributions.      

To achieve this important objective, the Dallaire Institute conducts activities on four fronts:   

  • World-class, interdisciplinary research to build and share knowledge, which in turn leads to new solutions. 

  • High-level advocacy activities to create and promote the political will to end the use of children in violence as central to the achievement of global peace and security. 

  • Education and programming to sustain the efforts to make the recruitment and use of children as soldiers unthinkable by inspiring leaders, educators, and policy makers to implement new approaches, conduct research, and actively share their knowledge on the prioritization of the children’s rights upfront approach.   

  • Comprehensive, prevention-oriented training to security sector actors, in the service of broader security sector reform, as well as collaboration with civil society to create and implement tools that protect children from the dangers associated with recruitment."

Job Purpose                                        

The Project Manager will oversee the implementation of the Institute's activities under the PVPSSA project aimed at Promoting the Vancouver Principles, enhancing national security sector capabilities to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers in Sub-Saharan Africa, in this case, in South Sudan. This role involves tactical and operational project management, including planning, execution, and reporting, primarily focusing on training, capacity building, finance management and advocacy within the specific country of implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities                   

  • Lead the day-to-day operations of project activities, ensuring compliance with timelines, budget constraints, and quality standards.

  • Coordinate project planning, implementation, and monitoring activities, ensuring alignment with the overall strategic objectives of the Institute.

  • Manage the logistics of training sessions, workshops, and conferences, both locally and regionally.

  • Liaise with local and international partners, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, to enhance project outreach and impact.

  • Oversee project budgeting and financial reporting, ensuring adherence to donor guidelines and organizational financial policies.

  • Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, government officials, and community leaders.

  • Drive advocacy initiatives aligned with the project goals and the Institute's mission

  • Prepare detailed reports on project progress and outcomes for donors, the Institute's leadership, and other stakeholders.

  • Responsible for all the HR procedures and administrate the deliverables by reporting position, ensuring the right communication with the functional managers as needed

Qualifications                                              

Skills

  • Strong financial management skills.

  • Excellent ability to forge relationships at all levels and work across multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams.

  • Adept at handling confidential information with discretion and per Dallaire Institute research and other professional standards;

  • Ability to take initiative to organize time effectively within a range of often conflicting deadlines and competing priorities, within a busy program and while working toward an agreed strategy;

  • Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.

  • Ability to self-teach and problem-solve in difficult situations.

  • Excellent communication skills in English.

Knowledge

  • At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field including International Relations, Political Science, Management, or a related field;

  • Minimum 5 years experience in project management, including overseeing large-scale projects in conflict or post-conflict settings.

  • PMI Certification or any other relevant certification.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office

  • Ability to communicate technical concepts to colleagues

Abilities

  • Proven ability to manage teams and coordinate with various stakeholders.

  • Capacity to tailor messages to different audiences.

Assets

  • International work experience in complex environments, preferably in conflict-affected regions

  • Experience managing or coordinating community engagement activities.

  • Experience with non-profit organizations, and academic or government institutions.

  • Knowledge and understanding of issues related to children's rights, peace, and security.

  • Additional language skills, particularly French.

  • Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa or other fragile contexts.

 Working conditions                                                                                                               

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in person.

The position is based in South Sudan, with the need for travelling up to 50% of the time.

The position oversees and is responsible for the assigned resources for the project’s implementation in South Sudan and is responsible for the performance and deliverables of a team of 4 officers covering the operative side of the Financial, MEAL, Training and Community engagement aspects.

How to apply

Please, send your resume and cover letter to dallairehr@dallaireinstitute.org