International Project Manager Africa (100%)
Suyana Foundation, Switzerland/Spain
The Suyana Foundation is a private Swiss non-profit organization founded in 2003. Our vision is to empower people and rural communities sustainably. In Bolivia and Peru, we run integrated development programmed directly. In Switzerland, Suyana works to strengthen Swiss agriculture and support education initiatives.
Since 2021, Suyana has supported initiatives in Africa, specifically in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Uganda, with a focus on our three core pillars: Education, Health, and Livelihoods. We work with trusted local partners while gradually building our own presence and moving towards direct implementation through Suyana teams and offices. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of these contexts, strengthen existing initiatives, and create new opportunities that foster lasting community impact.
Position Summary
The position can be based in Zug, Switzerland or in Spain (with frequent travel to Uganda, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone and possible new countries).
We are seeking an International Project Manager Africa to strengthen and expand Suyana’s portfolio. You will review and accompany partner-led projects, directly implement initiatives with Suyana teams, and ensure quality across all phases of the Project Cycle Management (PCM). The role combines hands-on field presence with strategic development: analysing country contexts, building partnerships, and consolidating Suyana’s positioning in Africa.
The ideal candidate embodies Suyana’s values of concern, adaptation, and sustainability, and is passionate about holistic community development and international cooperation. We are looking for a proactive and results-oriented professional with proven experience in African contexts, able to work independently as well as collaboratively. The candidate should be ready to spend significant time in the field, capable of developing new initiatives, strengthening existing projects, and building networks to consolidate Suyana’s presence in the region.
You will report to the Head of Projects & Partnerships Africa and work closely with Suyana’s Zug-based Africa team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Project management: Oversee ongoing and implement new projects in collaboration with local partners/Suyana team, including regular field visits, and ensure quality, strategic alignment, and measurable impact across all phases of the project cycle.
- Context Analysis: Conduct and support in-depth analysis of the context in the countries we are currently working in, focusing on health, education, and livelihood.
- MEAL: Support Suyana’s Impact Manager in strengthening monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems and in collaboration with the Project Managers.
- Partnership Development: Review existing partners, identify new ones, and co-develop initiatives respond to community needs and sustainability, in line with Suyana’s vision and holistic development approach.
- Direct Implementation: Lead and accompany Suyana teams in-country to deliver projects effectively and efficiently.
- Fundraising Support: Contribute to the development of funding proposals, alongside the Africa Project and Partnership Manager, to secure resources for new and ongoing projects.
- Financial Oversight: Oversee and manage project budgets, ensure value for money, and maintain compliance with local and international standards as well as with internal and donor requirements.
- Institutional Standards & Compliance: Align Suyana’s operations with international best practices and local regulations, adapting them into practical policies and procedures that reinforce local ownership, build partner capacity, and support sustainability.
- Networking: Engage with key actors and institutions to consolidate Suyana’s reputation and presence in Africa.
Requirements:
- Degree in international development, social sciences, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing development projects in Africa, with substantial field presence. Experience in Rwanda and/or Uganda is required.
- Proven track record in hands-on project implementation, delivering results across the full project cycle.
- Expertise in policy development and PCM tools, including financial oversight and partner assessments, with the ability to harmonize standards and ensure consistency across contexts.
- Strong analytical capacity to review and evaluate Partners as well as partner projects.
- Leadership skills with the ability to build trust and foster collaboration with partners, communities, and institutions.
- Strong capacity to translate sector trends and donor requirements into lean, context- appropriate procedures that strengthen Suyana’s organizational culture and partner sustainability.
- Excellent analytical, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills in fast- paced, multicultural environments.
- Result-driven, reliable, able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proficiency in English.
- Strong digital literacy, particularly in Proficiency in MS Office and digital tools for project and data management — KOBO is a must.
- Valid Swiss work permit or EU citizenship.