Deputy Project Manager

Seeking Hard-Working, Dedicated Problem-Solver
Deputy Project Manager in Cameroon
Innovation: Africa

Background
Innovation: Africa (iA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose team of dedicated
problem solvers work together to bring solar and water technologies to rural
communities in Africa. We use solar energy to pump clean water and provide schools,
orphanages, and medical clinics with light and refrigeration to store vaccines and
medicines. iA has completed over 900 solar, water, and agricultural projects, providing
light, clean water, food and proper medical care to nearly 4.2 million people in Ethiopia,
Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, eSwatini, Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal and
the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Job Summary
We are seeking a highly trained and qualified professional to join our Cameroon team
as a Deputy Project Manager based in Garoua, requiring immediate relocation. The
Deputy is responsible for providing critical support to the Country Manager, including
assistance with managing and overseeing the local staff and contractors’ field work,
ensuring strict compliance with iA’s community-based sustainability model and the
technical requirements of our community-owned solar water pumping systems and solar
electrification projects. The Deputy shall ensure that the iA team and contractors
complete daily, weekly, and monthly reports, properly and promptly, as is required by iA.

Additionally, the Deputy shall assist with administrative tasks, financial budgets and
expense reports, technical field supervision of staff and contractors, and maintain close
contact with the communities we serve to ensure the sustainability of our projects. The
Deputy will support all project and field activities, including identifying and selecting
project beneficiaries, actively engaging with the communities to facilitate community
engagement and sensitization, establishing and maintaining regular communication with
the communities we serve, implementing project-related activities, and monitoring the
progress of ongoing projects and the condition of older ones.

Additionally, the Deputy Project Manager will support all project and field activities. This
includes identifying and selecting our project beneficiaries, actively facilitating
community mobilization and sensitization, establishing and maintaining regular
communication with the communities we serve, implementing project-related activities
and providing regular reports and ongoing monitoring of the projects. This position
requires frequent travel to the field to identify new projects, as well as manage all stages
of iA’s solar and water projects.
Management and monitoring of local staff, contractors, ongoing and completed projects,
and frequent community engagement meetings, requires our ideal candidate to be
exceptionally passionate, proactive, and detail-oriented candidate with a go-getter work
ethic. The Deputy is required to provide a written weekly report to Israel Office, where iA
Cameroon’s Country Director and Deputy Country Director are based.

Reports To
Project Manager and Country Directors in Israel

Responsibilities

 Work closely with the Country Manager to support with management of local
team and contractors, and all field and community activities
 Ensure project activities comply with the policies and regulations of iA
 Assist with managing the development and execution of project deliverables,
project planning, budgeting, action plans and monitoring processes
 Responsible for submitting weekly activity reports and regular financial reports
the Country Director in Israel
 Oversee and manage the implementation of iA’s community-based sustainability
model, including facilitating frequent community meetings with the beneficiary
communities, conduct community trainings and sensitization
 Help to motivate the project team and monitor project activities and project
expenditure and coordinate work with contractors in the project
 Ensure close collaboration and coordination with cooperating partners and local
contractors to guarantee smooth implementation of activities and achievement of
results
 Participate in the beneficiary selection processes
 Track the progress of ongoing field activities, including conducting community
mobilization and oversee technical implementation of iA’s projects in Cameroon
 Perform monitoring and evaluation of existing projects, work with communities to
ensure project’s sustainability
 Assist in the management in the operations of the office such as liaising with
suppliers, getting quotations, scanning, printing, insurance for vehicles, collecting
and sending items through courier service, filling forms, submitting reports etc.
 Assist in organizing community trainings in coordination with the water
development office in Garoua
 Assist in responding to queries from the communities and forwarding the
information to the responsible contractors and inhouse engineers
 Support Country Manager to establish and manage relationships and
communication with local, national, and international stakeholders
 Fully coordinate and participate in visits from the international team, donors and
guests
 Develop and maintain relationships with local government and local partner
NGO’s

Qualifications
 The ideal candidate is extremely organized, detail oriented, results-driven, and
possesses a proven passion for working with rural communities.
 Minimum 5-year experience managing teams and supporting communities in a
field-based position.
 A strong Deputy has the ability to work closely and in tandem with the Country
Manager, anticipating and initiating places where the team requires assistance,
but always under the guidance of the lead manager.
 Ability to create and monitor the team’s weekly work plans, managing all
reporting processes require from the team and contractors and ensuring that it is
completed in a timely and efficient manner, enabling completion for 30+ solar and
water projects in accordance with each project’s Program of Work.
 Demonstrate interpersonal skills and a proven commitment to serve vulnerable
communities.
 Professional experience working in the field of community development with
vulnerable rural communities and exhibit detail orientation and problem-solving
skills.

Compensation
Commensurate with experience.

Requirements
 Bachelor’s Degree
 Degree/diploma in community development, international development, or similar
field
 A second degree in water or civil engineering, and long-term proven experience
working with solar water pumping systems will be considered an advantage.
 Experience working in WASH programs – advantage
 Technologically oriented with excellent computer skills, including proficiency in
email and Microsoft Office software
 Driver’s license and off-road driving experience
 Ability to commit to flexible working hours, including some weekends
 High proficiency in English; both writing and speaking
 Ability to relocate to Garoua

As an international organization, our team works in New York, Israel, and Africa, and is
constantly on the move. To maintain close contact despite our travel schedules, we
regularly use technology solutions, such as WhatsApp and Skype. The ideal candidate
thrives in this type of fast-paced environment and is comfortable working with
colleagues in different time zones and continents.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.