Project Assistant, Tanzania

Location: Tanzania

Reports to: Project Manager

Contract duration: 6 months (with possible extension) – anticipated to start in September 2014

Salary: Highly competitive within Tanzanian NGO market rates

Application instructions:

Candidates should send their CV and a covering letter (PDF or Microsoft Word format) which outlines their experience and suitability for the role in English to tzrecruitment@tz.bbcmediaaction.org. The name of the position applied for should be included in the subject line of the email.

Please do not send certificates or other attachments. Applicants with no separate covering letter will not be considered. Please only apply if you meet the basic criteria under the person specification. This is a local post applicable to people who have the legal right to live and work in Tanzania. 'National terms and conditions will apply'.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Application deadline: 5pm on Friday 26 September 2014

Job purpose:

Reporting to the Project Manager, the Project Assistant is responsible for providing all project-specific administrative and coordination support. Project activities include capacity building and training with the media and development-partners, production of radio outputs, field-based research, and reporting.

Main Duties:

• Manage day-to-day communication with all project-partners and ensure implementation of activities, and regular and timely submission of reports;

• Coordinate project training sessions and workshops, with responsibility for all logistical arrangements, attending some training events to ensure smooth management, and to provide administrative support;

• Prepare budgets for training sessions and other activities;

• Ensure the project work-plan is updated and accurate;

• Prepare written meeting notes and training summaries, in English;

• Maintain the project asset register and manage all project equipment and materials;

• Manage the project information files, to ensure all project documentation and reports are complete and up-to-date;

• Liaise with administration team on project procurement requirements;

• Ensure the project is compliant with all BBC Media Action policies and procedures, including Finance, HR, Procurement, and Travel;

• Perform any other duties as maybe required.

Required skills, knowledge and experience:

• 3 years' experience in administration or coordination;

• 1 year experience within the international development sector in Tanzania;

• Fluency in English and Swahili is essential – spoken and written;

• Experience of coordinating training events or workshops with external partners is desirable;

• Ability to prioritise, and to manage several tasks simultaneously;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to quickly establish effective working relationships with colleagues and partners in Tanzania, and internationally;

• Confident to highlight potential problems, and to provide suggested solutions;

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail;

• Experience of working to tight-deadlines, and under high-pressure;

• Experience of using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook in a professional environment;

• Any other duties that may be required.

Key competencies:

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

• Decision Making – Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.

• Planning and Organisation – Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.

• Resilience –Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

• Communication – The ability to get one's message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

• Managing relationships – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.

• Self-development – Is able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development.