Project Manager - International Development

Job Description

Mott MacDonald’s International Development Services (“IDS”) Unit operates across multiple low and middle-income countries globally, as well as geographic leadership and resource hubs in the UK, USA and the Netherlands. The working environment ranges from city office space to major construction projects in rural -sometimes off grid - locations. Many projects also involve vulnerable people or environments which require bespoke safety considerations like safeguarding and modern slavery issues.

We work development projects across South Asia and Africa. Our areas of work are social sector development, economic development and governance, health and education, water and sanitation, environmental management and climate change, and integrated water resources management.

On assigned projects, the Project Manager will be responsible for project / programme management tasks including:

• Agree the project approach with the client and document the agreement.
• Establish project budget, project plan of work and project control systems.
• Establish the project team and develop it through leadership.
• Identity, manage and quantify project risks.
• Liaise closely with the relevant support functions to ensure proper establishment of project e.g. with relation to tax exposure, contract reviews and entity set-up.
• Manage costs and resources: staff, other divisions, Outside Services
• Maximise sustainable profit and minimise capital employed.
• Assure technical/professional quality of work.
• Encourage the use of Share practice sites by teams.
• Organise completion of deliverables, on time
• Maintain project records.
• Review state of project with Project Director at monthly project control meetings
• Monitor progress against project management plans.
• Manage identified change(s) to the project.
• Make updates to plans and systems as appropriate.
• Routine reporting to Client on progress
• Develop a strong relationship with Client.
• Complete the project on time, to budget and to the required quality.
• Promote further work opportunities with Client.
• Close and file plans at the end of the project

Working closely with the Team Leader and Project Principal for the successful implementation of projects and liaising with territory mangers and support functions is required to ensure full compliance with internal standards.

You will also be required to: be engaged with the process of continuous improvement and seeking ways of increasing efficiency demonstrate behaviours which emulate our PRIDE values accept other tasks and responsibilities which may reasonably be requested by the Project Principal.

PM’s may also work in a Bid Manager capacity, which will include:

• Managing a team to preposition for and prepare competitive tenders.
• Ensuring compliance with MM’s internal STEP process including establishing a clear capture plan from early prepositioning through to the final submission of the tender.
• Establishing a clear timeline for all prepositioning and proposal activities and ensuring all internal and external deadlines are adhered to.
• Managing external relationships e.g. with consortium partners and external experts.
• Reviewing tender documents and ensuring compliance with all requirements.
• Planning and managing the preparation of all tender documentation (technical, commercial, Expressions of Interest).
• Presenting at internal technical and financial reviews.
• Managing timely response to client clarification questions and contract negotiations.

Key skills, qualifications and experience

• Master’s and/or higher degree or equivalent
• Experience of managing international development projects in various sectors is desirable.
• Previous experience in a similar role and/or environment.
• Qualifications and chartership in project management is preferred e.g. ChPP, PRINCE2, PMQ.
• Highly proficient with MS packages, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and previous experience of financial management software.
• Proficient in use of financial management software packages including Connect Business to manage project budgets and forecasts. Able to generate and keep updated WIP and Contingency reports.
• Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong client and stakeholder relationship building skills.
• Team working skills, willing to provide support where needed.
• A track record of working in or supporting multi-disciplinary teams with team members based in several countries.
• Excellent communication skills (for speaking, writing, and listening).
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Able to plan and organise own work and support others with the same.
• Numeracy skills and previous experience of working with large budgets and complex financial management systems.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable, to learn new skills and apply existing skills to new areas of business.
• Proactive and able to use own initiative to solve problems and seek opportunities for continuous development.
• Patience and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences in developing countries.
• Willingness to travel on short or long-term overseas assignments, preferably including conflict-affected areas.
• An interest in the international development sector.

• Master’s and/or higher degree.
• Experience of managing international development projects in various sectors is desirable.
• Previous experience in a similar role and/or environment.
• Qualifications and chartership in project management is preferred e.g. ChPP, PRINCE2, PMQ.
• Highly proficient with MS packages, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and previous experience of financial management software.
• Proficient in use of financial management software packages including Connect Business to manage project budgets and forecasts. Able to generate and keep updated WIP and Contingency reports.
• Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong client and stakeholder relationship building skills.
• Team working skills, willing to provide support where needed.
• A track record of working in or supporting multi-disciplinary teams with team members based in several countries.
• Excellent communication skills (for speaking, writing, and listening).
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Able to plan and organise own work and support others with the same.
• Numeracy skills and previous experience of working with large budgets and complex financial management systems.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable, to learn new skills and apply existing skills to new areas of business.
• Proactive and able to use own initiative to solve problems and seek opportunities for continuous development.
• Patience and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences in developing countries.
• Willingness to travel on short and long-term overseas assignments, preferably including conflict-affected areas.
• An interest in the international development sector.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.