Team Lead

Summary

Join Zinc Network as a Start-Up Team Lead for a 4-month fixed-term contract, overseeing the operational and technical start-up of a USAID-funded project in Dakar, Senegal. You will be responsible for establishing project offices, managing staff recruitment, ensuring legal and financial compliance, and coordinating the project launch. This remote position requires experience in project start-up, financial management, and working with USAID-funded projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, cultural sensitivity, and proficiency in French and English. The role involves managing various deliverables, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring adherence to project timelines and client expectations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, or related field is required
• Minimum five years related experience in project financial and administrative management
• Proven experience managing project start-up phases, including operations, recruitment, and systems setup for large, donor-funded projects
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks during project start-up phases
• Familiarity with project finance management, including budgets, financial controls, accounting, auditing, and reporting on accruals, pipelines, and expenses required
• Knowledge of USAID policies and business practices, with direct experience managing finances and administration of USAID-funded projects
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and ensure smooth collaboration across departments
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a stressful environment with colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse contexts, especially in West Africa and the Sahel
• Proficiency in French and English are required
• Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking- related activities) or workplace investigation
• Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting

Responsibilities

• Represent Zinc at high-level meetings with clients and project partners, all while embodying the values of Zinc Network
• Oversee the operational start-up in Dakar, including the establishment of temporary and permanent project offices
• Manage the recruitment process for all non-key staff positions on Zinc’s team. This would include posting job descriptions, conducting interviews, and facilitating the onboarding of new staff
• Engage local lawyers to assist with registration, HR matters, and ensure compliance with local laws
• Coordinate the submission of key technical and operational deliverables to the client, including the initial Annual Work Plan, Branding and Marking Plan, and MEL plan
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly financial and performance reports to the client
• Lead preparations for the project launch event and ensure alignment with client branding and communication strategies
• Support the development and submission of gender analysis, security plans, and other required documents as per client guidelines
• Ensure smooth communication and coordination between the project team, client, and other stakeholders during the start-up phase
• Monitor and ensure adherence to project timelines, milestones, and client expectations throughout the start-up period
• Coordinate work with the Environmental Consultant to produce an environmental and compliance plan

Preferred Qualifications

Proficiency in Arabic is a plus