Project Manager, Sénégal (NATIONAL ONLY)

Job Title

Project Manager - ReCCAWA Programme

Company/Organisation

Mercy Corps

Location

Dakar, Senegal

Language

Required language fluency in French and English proficiency

Eligibility

This role is open to nationals of Senegal and residents with independent right to work in Senegal.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

The Programme

Mercy Corps is implementing Togg Gu Sell, the Senegal country component of the Regional Clean Cooking Action West Africa (ReCCAWA) Programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Running from 2025 to 2028, ReCCAWA aims to accelerate access to clean, affordable, and sustainable cooking solutions by strengthening the enabling environment for clean cooking through improved governance, coordination and standards, enhancing the competitiveness of clean cooking enterprises, expanding access to finance, stimulating consumer demand, promoting women's economic empowerment and inclusion, and strengthening market intelligence systems. Implemented in consortium with SEM FUND, the project works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, CERER, financial institutions, private sector companies, ReCCAWA regional partners, women's organizations, and local authorities to foster a sustainable, market-driven clean cooking ecosystem in Senegal.

The Position

The Project Manager will provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational management for the implementation of the ReCCAWA Programme in Senegal. S/he will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all project activities to ensure timely, high-quality, and compliant delivery in accordance with Mercy Corps policies and donor requirements. The Project Manager will lead the project team, manage financial and operational performance, ensure the achievement of technical, institutional, and programmatic results, and foster effective collaboration among consortium partners and key national stakeholders. As the primary focal point for the project, the Project Manager will lead on the communication with the donor and maintain close coordination with ReCCAWA regional partners to ensure alignment, knowledge sharing, and coherence between national and regional interventions, while promoting adaptive management, innovation, and sustainable market systems development within Senegal's clean cooking sector.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

• Provide strategic leadership for the implementation of the ReCCAWA Programme in Senegal, ensuring full alignment with the approved project document, Mercy Corps' strategic priorities, and donor requirements.
• Translate the programme's strategic objectives into annual work plans, implementation strategies, operational priorities, and measurable results.
• Ensure effective coordination and integration across all Programme components.
• Champion the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach across all interventions to drive sustainable, inclusive, and private sector-led market transformation.
• Ensure the systematic integration of gender equality, social inclusion, climate resilience, digitalization, and environmental sustainability throughout Programme design and implementation.
• Promote adaptive management by using evidence, learning, and data to continuously improve Programme performance and inform strategic decision-making.
• Foster innovation and cross-sector collaboration to maximize the programme's impact, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure that Programme interventions contribute to strengthening national systems, building local ownership, and delivering sustainable market outcomes beyond the project lifecycle.

Programme Implementation and Stakeholder Coordination

Programme Implementation

• Ensure the program is running on scope, on budget and on time through the set up and constant monitoring of Project Cycle Management tools.
• Develop and regularly update annual work plans, implementation schedules, and activity trackers to ensure efficient Programme execution.
• Coordinate field missions, technical assessments, workshops, and stakeholder consultations across the Programme intervention areas.
• Lead regular project coordination meetings internaly and with external stakeholders to review progress, address implementation challenges, monitor risks, and agree on corrective actions.
• Promote adaptive management by continuously monitoring Programme performance, incorporating lessons learned, and adjusting implementation strategies based on evidence and emerging opportunities.
• Monitor progress against the project log frame, work plan, and key performance indicators, ensuring timely achievement of milestones and deliverables.
• Ensure effective coordination with the Finance, Operations, Procurement, HR, and MEL teams to support efficient Programme delivery and compliance with Mercy Corps policies.

Stakeholder Coordination and Partnership Management

• Serve as the primary focal point for coordination with consortium partner SEM FUND and ensure effective collaboration throughout Programme implementation and regular coordination meetings.
• Maintain strong working relationships with the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, CERER, SENACCA, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, clean cooking enterprises, women's organizations, local authorities, and other key national stakeholders.
• Coordinate closely with ReCCAWA regional partners and RVO to ensure alignment between national and regional interventions, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote the adoption of regional best practices aiming at complementarity across ongoing initiatives.
• Convene and facilitate regular coordination meetings, technical working groups, and multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms to strengthen collaboration and collective action across the clean cooking ecosystem.
• Identify and proactively resolve implementation bottlenecks, partnership challenges, and operational issues to ensure smooth Programme delivery.
• Represent Mercy Corps in national and regional coordination forums, technical meetings, and sector events, strengthening the organization's visibility and strategic partnerships within Senegal's clean cooking sector.

Technical Oversight

The Project Manager will provide overall technical oversight and quality assurance across all Programme components, ensuring that activities are implemented in line with the project's objectives and deliver sustainable market systems outcomes. Specifically, the Project Manager will:

• Oversee the operationalization and effective functioning of the National Clean Cooking Task Force.
• Lead the establishment and institutional strengthening of the Senegal National Clean Cooking Association (SENACCA).
• Coordinate national stakeholder engagement on clean cooking standards, testing, and quality assurance in collaboration with CERER and regional ReCCAWA partners.
• Facilitate Public-Private dialogue to strengthen policy implementation, sector coordination, and private sector engagement.
• Oversee the delivery of Business Development Support (BDS) to clean cooking enterprises.
• Supervise enterprise diagnostics and the development of tailored business improvement plans followed by high-quality coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance.
• Support enterprises in expanding market access, strengthening competitiveness, and improving investment readiness.
• Promote the development and strengthening of inclusive and sustainable distribution networks, including last-mile delivery systems.
• Facilitate strategic dialogue and partnerships with commercial banks, microfinance institutions, investors, and other financial actors aiming at strengthening access to financial products for Clean Cooking entreprises.
• Support enterprises in becoming investment-ready through financial and business capacity strengthening.
• Promote access to carbon finance and other innovative financing mechanisms to enhance enterprise growth and market sustainability.
• Oversee the design and implementation of gender-responsive behaviour change and consumer awareness campaigns.
• Strengthen women-led distribution networks and support women's participation as entrepreneurs, sales agents, and community champions.
• Promote the use of digital communication and marketing tools to enhance consumer outreach, engagement, and behaviour change.
• Oversee the implementation of the project's MEAL framework, ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements.