Project Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

‍Project Directors are the most senior Cowater representatives on our programmes. They are overall accountable for the successful implementation of and compliance with our client contracts. The role includes the following key responsibilities:Project Implementation:‍

• Provide effective leadership and oversight of the implementation of project activities in accordance with the client contract and in support of desired project results. Ensure strong project performance and client satisfaction.
• Build, maintain, and manage client and partner relationships, and represent Cowater to project stakeholders.
• Lead a flexible and adaptive approach to project delivery; ensuring the workplan, approach and method of delivery remains relevant to the context and priorities.
• Supervise technical and operational project teams in the field and internationally to achieve project results, including especially Team Leaders and Project Managers.
• Ensure strong financial performance of projects and compliance the clients’ and Cowater’s financial management processes. Manage commercial contract in line with contract and business targets.
• Ensure compliance of field operations with local regulatory and legal requirements, in coordination with Cowater’s Finance team.
• Ensure projects’ compliance with Cowater’s and the client’s Code of Conduct policies, including Duty of Care for staff in the field (in coordination with Cowater’s Head of Risk and Security).
• Report to Cowater UK’s Head of Programme Delivery on project progress, risks and issues. Take corrective action in the management of projects as required.

‍Business Development:‍

• Identify prospective projects through various channels, contacts and networks.
• Carrying out robust research and analysis that will aid in the pursuit of new projects.
• Represent the company with key stakeholders, including potential clients and partners; conduct scoping trips as required.
• Prepare promotional materials for the sector and specific projects being tracked.
• Lead the development of technical proposals, including:
  • leading on innovative project design and approaches;
  • leading on technical writing and conveying technical methodologies compellingly;
  • assembling partners/consortia as necessary for each opportunity;
  • managing the bid process efficiently and effectively from beginning to submission in accordance with donor requirements;
  • managing the bid team, including quality assuring and coordinating inputs from team members and developing junior team members.
• Develop compelling commercial strategies for live bids in coordination with Cowater’s Finance team and Cowater UK’s Head of Business Development.

The exact split between project management and business development will be dependent on need, but is expected to be approximately a 50-50 split.