BACKGROUND

The Pharo Foundation (TPF) has a vision of realizing an inclusive and economically vibrant Africa. The Mission is to invest in Africa’s human and physical capital, with a strong focus on job and wealth creation.

TPF has previously focused on a philanthropic model for delivery of development solutions in agriculture, health, education and water. The geographical focus has been Ethiopia and Somaliland.

TPFs vision and strategy is structured under four major pillars (education programs, community development programs, social enterprises and research & evaluation), which ensures delivery of development benefits and jobs to local communities.

In the long term however, TPF has identified the need and desire to develop and run social enterprises across East Africa (and to eventually get to West Africa). TPF has subsequently set up Pharo Ventures, the social enterprise arm, with a view to maximizing job creation1 for the local communities and creating substantial wealth for the communities in target areas.

TPF has acquired 484 Ha of land, approximately 60 kms from Asosa and is currently developing Phase 1 (pilot phase) of the farm on 50 Ha of the land. The farm will produce a variety of both dry season and wet season’s crops and will include perennial crops. The farm includes an irrigation system that will ensure that crop production happens all year round.

PURPOSE

The overall purpose of this fixed term consultancy is to provide project management support to the CEO Social Enterprises (based in Nairobi) and the execution team at the Pharo Farm site, approximately 60 kms from Asosa town in the BGRS region of Ethiopia.

Project management support will cover project planning and scheduling, project progress reporting (both financial and operational), procurement support, activity planning, risk assessment and analysis. It will also include the development and documentation of work progress and lessons learnt, execution quality assessment and support for collaboration with external service providers and partners.

LOCATION

• In order to carry out the assignment effectively, the consultant will be based at the Pharo Farms site in the BGRS region of Ethiopia.
• We will allow the consultant to take a break off the site for some rest, but this will not exceed 3 working days in a month.

DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall support the project management of the Pharo Farm by delivering support on the following deliverables;

• Develop project management tools and processes. Responsible for defining and managing the overall approach / methodology in-line with industry standards.
• Project planning and scheduling – Development, regular tracking and reporting of project plans and schedules.
• Provide support on daily activity planning, ensuring that these are in line with the agreed schedule.
• Preparation of project progress reports, including project performance analysis, for both operational and financial aspects.
• Sourcing and procurement support to ensure that the provision of required goods and services in a timely manner, according to the project schedule.
• Support the operational and financial risk assessment processes.
• Provide data and analytical support for the evaluation of the project KPIs.
• Support the quality review process for the project.
• Analysis of the resource requirements, gaps, and support the development of plans to close the identified gaps.

RESOURCES AND / OR SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• Internal documents and databases.
• Internal TPF staff in Addis, Asosa and Nairobi.
• The execution team for the Farm project.
• External parties who can share and provide relevant data and perspectives in relation to the project execution.
• External services or goods provider

TIMEFRAME

• The consultant shall initially be on a fixed term consultancy contract for a period of 6 months, with a possibility of extension to a maximum total period of 9 months.
• Anticipated start date is 1 April 2020.
• The detailed breakdown and sequence of activities and deliverables will be as agreed with the CEO Social Enterprises.

TIME/ BUDGET

• Expected time commitment is 6 days a week.
• Estimated budget cost to include all fee charges and which are subject to negotiation and relevant tax deductions.

PROFILE OF CONSULTANT & ELIGIBILITY

The opportunity is open either for an individual consultant or for a professional firm offering project management services.

The preferred candidate (whether individual or nominated by the firm) should meet the following;

• At least 5 years’ experience as a project management professional, preferably in the construction or agricultural sector.
• Solid project management skills with demonstrated ability to use MS Project at a high proficiency level.
• Good understanding of the development of KPIs and past experience working or analyzing impact driven metrics.
• Clear ability to multitask and manage multiple activities with tight deadlines.
• Strong communicator and experience in developing project reports.
• Strong understanding of the leading implementation approaches to project management, with the ability to draw on these to implement a tailored, appropriate framework.
• Sound business sense and a market-driven approach, with the flexibility to modify approaches to achieve goals as information changes and events unfold.
• BA / BSc, in project management discipline, or equivalent. Project Management certification will be an advantage.