Senior Project Manager

ABOUT Q2 IMPACT

The QED Group, LLC doing business as Q2 Impact is a global consulting firm with more than 25 years of experience providing data-driven and insightful solutions in close to 100 countries. We are passionate about transforming lives through knowledge-based solutions. Leveraging deep expertise in monitoring, evaluation, global health, and learning, we help our clients collect, analyze, visualize, and ultimately use data in more effective ways. Our work maximizes results through the use of cutting-edge technologies and innovation, organizational development, and evidence-based decision-making.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) is responsible for financial, administrative, and compliance aspects of Q2 projects. The candidate will possess specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to use judgment in the performance of their duties and be capable of carrying out work with little guidance or supervision. This position reports to the Program Director and may also supervise Project Managers/Associates/Coordinators, when applicable. S/he ensures that Q2 projects follow all applicable Q2Impact and client requirements, and continuously focuses on opportunities to improve internal operations and implement best practices. The SPM is responsible for monitoring and reporting any project(s) risks and suggesting solutions to minimize risk while ensuring effective implementation and compliance of Q2 projects. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for directly managing a portfolio of projects, carrying out core managerial and administrative functions, and participating in technical work as appropriate. S/he will work closely with other teams across Q2, including Finance & Accounting, Contracts & Compliance, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Communications, Business Development, and Information Technology. The preferred location for this role is in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management Implementation

• Serves as the primary Q2 corporate liaison with relevant client points of contact; prime contractors and subcontractors; resolves corporate level issues that arise with clients, prime contractors, and sub-contractors
• Ensures financial and technical integrity of projects – including quality assurance and quality control processes are in place and adhered to, contract deliverables are met, and project is proactively managed towards strong CPARS (4 or greater)
• Ensures that all applicable Q2 and client rules, regulations, policies, and procedures are consistently applied and followed
• Ensures the financial and reputational integrity of projects under his/her supervision
• Resolves complex implementation issues
• Develops activity budgets and oversees financial management of project budgets; including creating budget forecasting and projections, tracking invoices and project finances, ensures that field cash balances are sufficient for project operations, and minimizes unnecessary balances
• Ensures project issues and risks are logged, monitored, reported on, managed and mitigated, and escalated to corporate/project leadership, as required
• Approves financial transactions as needed and within individual signature authority
• Coordinates, oversees, and reviews team inputs for contract deliverables - ensures contract deliverables are on schedule and meet QED’s standards
• Mobilizes and demobilizes international staff with support from HR
• Manages and ensures the quality of field procurements, ensuring compliance with Q2 and client requirements
• Maintains compliance and asset management procedures
• Ensures the adequacy of records retention practices in compliance with Q2 and client requirements
• Reviews monthly project expenditures and sends invoices to clients
• Ensures compliance in field projects with host country laws, including labor policies, tax reporting and regulations
• Manages; reviews and monitors monthly and annual projections, burn rates against ceiling, revenue, utilization rates, and gross margin monthly; takes proactive steps to drive revenue for prime contracts and ensure Q2 percentage on subcontracts
• In collaboration with Practice Leads, supports projects to generate appropriate thought leadership and communications pieces, highlight pain points for innovation or opportunities for piloting innovation activities
• Supervises project team members as appropriate and required - ensures individual performance of project staff is on track, encourages career development and growth, strives to retain qualified staff, ensures staff are happy, engaged, and well supported
• Assists with recruitment of personnel and in-country partners
• Provides front-line contractual and financial management support to the field programs, subcontractors, partners, and clients, and engages with internal Contracts and Finance Teams when additional support is necessary
• Liaises closely with technical staff to integrate project management and technical oversight in support of effective program delivery

Process Development

• Leads the development of manuals, procedures, policies, recordkeeping, and duties related to overall administration of projects, including procurement, financial management, technical deliverables, and other aspects of project management
• Works with Q2 Directors to find process improvements and codify them

Contract Management

• Liaises with internal Contract Team to draft RFPs, RFIs, Job Postings, and contracts for consultants, subcontractors, and service providers
• Serves as a reference point for contracting questions
• Leads the internal approval process for contracts for services and procurement for the assigned project
• Reviews basic legal issues for employment and procurement
• Ensures administrative and financial compliance with USG regulations, including regular review of the USAID ADS, FAR, AIDAR to ensure compliance
• Acts as point of contact for project related audits

Business Development

• Supports new business and proposal preparation and capture activities
• Assists with recruitment of personnel and in-country partners
• Researches legal and program implications for countries participating in programs
• Assists with writing and production of proposals

Reporting

• Reviews and oversees financial and administrative reports and other correspondence on activities and transactions related to projects in his/her portfolio
• Supports the preparation and presentation of comprehensive administrative, fiscal, statistical and technical studies, reports, specifications, and correspondence as required

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in international development or relevant field required
• Minimum of 6-8 years managing the administration of USAID and other donor-funded projects with a Masters; minimum of 10 years with Bachelors. Minimum of 4 years project management experience
• Significant demonstrable experience in acquisition mechanisms, USAID ADS, FAR, AIDAR, and other USG international regulations
• Knowledge of project management procedures for planning and processing international development projects, and for establishing plans, specifications, monitoring and management of the development projects
• Detail-oriented, experience developing/managing program budgets
• Willingness to travel to post-conflict environments
• Fluency in English required

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience on a long-term overseas field assignment
• Experience with business development roles and processes, particularly for USAID
• Master’s degree in international development/Relations, Public Administration, Business, or a related field
• Foreign language skills, preferably in French, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, or Russian
• Experience managing programs for CDC, Department of Defense, Department of State, and/or other similar organizations
• Experience serving on long-term field projects for USAID in a management or operations role
• Experience developing project management training curriculum and tools
• Experience delivering project management training to a team of project managers

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

This position reports to the Senior Director of Programs

This position will be required to travel to developing countries as needed to support project implementation.

SALARY RANGE

USD 105000 - USD 125000

NOTE

Please note that applications submitted by other means; or without either a resume/CV and/or biodata may not be considered. Only finalists will be contacted.

The Q2 Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. AA/V/D. Reasonable accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.