About the Opportunity

The IT Project Manager will be a new position for AEC as we scale across 8 countries.  AEC has developed more technology systems as the company grows, needing a comprehensive digital approach to improving efficiency, operations, client services, and communications.

The IT Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring that a range of AEC technology projects (app development, Odoo CRM system, IVR, Digital Payment platform,  API integrations, which are all current projects) are planned with the end-user in mind, staffed appropriately, and meet budget and timeline expectations.  The position will also be responsible for identifying new integration and digitalization opportunities and new digital solutions for our entrepreneurs working collaboratively with staff across multiple departments and geographies.

Responsibilities

The IT Project Manager will be technical enough to manage a range of IT projects delivery/testing/deployment, but as a Project Manager you will not have to do the development yourself.  Specifically, the role will include:

Project Inception 

• Direct and manage technology project development from inception to end rollout.


• Define project scope, goals, success criteria, and deliverables with management and stakeholders.


• Draft and complete detailed project documentation to include Statement of Work (SOW) Requirements


• Develop full-scale project plans, timelines, and milestones, and manage to meet these expectations


• Develop a budget and identify resources needed, including staff and consultants


• Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals. Draft and submit budget proposals, and recommend subsequent changes where necessary


• Staff the IT Change Committee and ensure that all needed materials are presented for decision, showing the long-term value to the organization.


• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to appropriate staff and consultants, and manage their deliverables.


• Engage deeply with staff and clients to identify problems, create IT solutions that are fit for the user and purpose – now and in the future.

Project Management

• Once a project is approved, track project milestones and deliverables, and develop/deliver progress reports, documentation, and presentations using Asana and other methods


• Analyze results and processes of project management, and troubleshoot problem areas, raising challenges as appropriate.


• Proactively and effectively communicate project expectations to stakeholders and leadership, and engage stakeholders on an ongoing basis.


• Determine staffing plan with the IT Director, including contracting with external vendors if additional expertise or capacity is needed to deliver on time or on quality.


• Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential challenges, and devise contingency plans. Review proposed modifications on project plans, including meeting with interested parties to approve and implement beneficial changes.


• Establish roll-out plans for the piece of technology, including developing training materials, user guides, and other systems which ensure smooth adoption of the completed IT project.


• Conduct project post mortems and create a recommendations report to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements.

Team Management

• Work with the AEC Operations Teams to develop, implement and execute technology initiatives


• Coach, mentor, motivate, and supervise project team members (Senior Developer and needed third parties) to execute initiatives


• Work with the developers to ensure that at the end of each project, users are presented with clear and detailed users training guides preferably videos.


• IT Vendor management


• Build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the project


• Support and backup other IT colleagues as needed and other duties as assigned


• Participate in quarterly reviews, annual KPI setting, and strategic planning for the company’s IT growth.

Minimum Qualifications

The position requires a broad technical background in project/program management and in building and managing multiple complex projects and customer relationships. Clear and effective communication with customers, partners, and developers is essential

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, information technology, or another related field


• 5 years of experience managing software and hardware projects of various sizes and complexities


• Project Management Experience –  Has run complicated tech projects, on-time and within budget from start to finish, ability to work independently with minimal supervision


• Project Management Certification preferred


• Understanding of relevant coding languages preferred but not required (our stack: Python, XML, Javascript, Postgresql)


• Experience with Human-Centered Design and UI/UX to ensure solutions are relevant for our context


• Experience managing people to achieve their best


• Experience managing multiple simultaneous projects (5-10 projects at a time) with durations of 2-16 weeks


• Exceptional communication skills (oral and written) in English, plus either Kinyarwanda or Swahili


• Familiarity with CRM/ERP systems is required, and Odoo is highly desirable


• Experience managing vendor service level agreements and securing vendor deliverables.

What You’ll Get

• Fun, collaborative work environment


• Opportunity to work with a talented, passionate, and committed team of professionals


• Challenging work and the opportunity to grow and develop your skills


• Ability to make a significant social impact and contribute to economic growth


• Competitive benefits package – health insurance, staff savings program, parental leave, sabbatical program, and more.

COMPENSATION

Compensation includes salary and potential KPI-based bonus, healthcare, retirement benefits, flexible annual leave, possible travel in East Africa, professional development opportunities, and the chance to connect with colleagues across East Africa in a supportive and inclusive environment. In addition, this role is a tremendous opportunity to work in a high-growth, mission-driven organization.

Deadline: 13th March 2022