Project Manager Benin (100%)
Benin, Littoral, Cotonou with frequent travels
Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation
Other
Date of last update: 2026-06-10 (Expiry date: 2026-06-30)
Company presentation
Swisscontact est une organisation de développement indépendante à but non lucratif créée en 1959 par des représentants du secteur privé et de la société civile suisse. Notre travail de développement est axé sur un développement économique durable, mené par le secteur privé et sur l'amélioration de la qualité de vie pour tous dans les pays en développement et émergents. Un accent est mis sur le renforcement des compétences des individus et la promotion de la compétitivité des entreprises.
L'organisation est actuellement active dans plus de 138 projets dans 39 pays avec environ 1100 employés. Le siège se trouve à Zurich, en Suisse.
Job description
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Swisscontact has been active in Benin since 2002. We support project work in inclusions of small producers, rural economic development and vocational education.
The project FORCE (funded by SDC) aims at creating a more efficient and attractive vocational education system with apprenticeship training which fosters inclusive socio-economic development in Benin. This includes easier access to training courses in promising future professions for young people, strengthening the national education system, and supporting various reforms to improve governance in vocational education and training.
For the second phase of the FORCE project, we are looking for a Project Manager Benin (100%).
Place of work: Cotonou with frequent travels to Parakou, Benin
Start date: 1 October 2026 or by agreement
Contract duration: 2 years; with option of renewal
Tasks
- Manage and supervise the successful implementation of project FORCE ensuring high-quality delivery, partners' satisfaction, and achievement of the project results
- Ensure fully compliant and robust project and country office administrative and financial management, including overall office operations, internal controls, compliance with local laws and Swisscontact standards, audits, procurement and reporting
- Lead the Planning-Implementation-Monitoring-Evaluation-Controlling system according to the contracting donor requirements
- Represent the FORCE project to partners, government counterparts and key stakeholders in Benin, ensuring visibility, credibility, and alignment with national priorities
- Manage a team of 6-8 employees, ensure strong leadership, supervise HR planning and recruitment, empower and coach project staff and manage
performance - Lead risk management and ensure understanding and compliance with Swisscontact's Code of Conduct, Operations Manual and Local Security Plan, and regularly update relevant documents in line with internal and contextual shifts
View details
Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%
80-100% / 100%Type of contract: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)
Duration: 2 years; with option of renewal
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa
Level of experience: Senior Professional, more than 5 years
Area of work Definition: Leadership and Management
Type of organisation: NGOs
Join date: 1 October 2026 or by agreement
Skills required
Requirements
We are looking for a person of integrity with strong self-awareness, entrepreneurial spirit, strong communication, networking and negotiations skills who is used to work independently and takes accountability for his/her decisions and actions:
- Strong leadership skills and experience in coordinating interdisciplinary and intercultural project teams
- At least 5 years relevant work experience in leading and managing projects and/or multi stakeholder initiatives in development cooperation
- Experience with bilateral international donors
- Profound experience in vocational training
- Strong knowledge of the African context
- In depth understanding of all aspects of Project Cycle Management (including financial management) and adaptive steering
- Excellent communication skills in French, good communication skills in English
- Willingness to travel frequently from Cotonou to Parakou and occasionally to other countries
- Good understanding of gender equality and social inclusion, environmental responsibility, conflict-sensitive programme management and good governance
Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and multicultural context. We see our work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture: mutual respect, trust and teamwork.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages), diplomas and references. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal.
We particularly encourage women to apply. For further information please visit www.swisscontact.org.
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