Donor Project Manager (DPM)

Job description

JOB OPPORTUNITY: DONOR PROJECT MANAGER (DPM)

Location: COMACO Head Office, Lusaka

Reporting To: Chief Operations Officer – Extension & M&E Manager

About COMACO

COMACO (Community Markets for Conservation) is a leading organization dedicated to improving rural livelihoods while promoting conservation-friendly farming practices. We work closely with smallholder farmers, donors, and partners to deliver impactful, sustainable development programs.

Position Summary

The DPM is a position which will be based at COMACO’s Head Office and will carry out the outlined functions in line with the prescribed guidelines, work ethics and standards necessary for COMACO’s continued development.

This role will ensure that there is a stronger team approach built into the COMACO operations that cuts across various sections and departments to provide accountability for accurate results, impacts, and statistics that will feed into timely and accurate reporting for the organization and Donors alike.

The DPM will have dual reporting lines to the Chief Operations Officer – Extension (COO) and the M&E Manager, while maintaining a direct working relationship with the Grants Program Administrations Officer. He/she will be required to direct, weekly communications with each designated project teams comprising the Project Managers, Project Accountants and M&E Officers

The DPM will work closely with senior management to build cost-efficiency and achieve the highest level of output possible and will have a daily responsibility of managing and resolving problems that could undermine COMACO’s mission objectives. The DPM tasks are listed below:

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Grants department through the Grants Program Administrative officer to ensure grant agreement obligations are adhered to and met with regular compliance updates and verifications and complete information made available for timely reporting to Donors.
• Develop working skills in the use and application of Salesforce for all related work and responsibilities
• Coordinate weekly Project team meetings (COMACO East, West and South) to review workplan deliverables, budget requirements, specific targets, activity reports and upload such information into Salesforce for easy access and transparency
• Ensure Project staff conduct field activities according to Workplans and provide Activity reports and retirements in a timely manner into the Salesforce system.
• Provide written meeting minutes after each weekly meeting, to be shared with the section heads (COO Extension, M&E Manager, Grants office) as well as Salesforce uploads
• Provide information through the Grants Program Administrative office for feeding into Salesforce to enhance team coordination across section and for up and down reporting lines.
• In consultation with the COO provide feedback to Project field staff and undertake random spot checks and inspections on key activities as and when required to verify accuracy of activities.
• Maintain a close relationship with the Internal Audit support function to ensure all activities are conducted in a compliant manner as well as accountability of all project assets.
• Ensure compliance of all MOU’s and Agreements that COMACO may enter into with regards to extension related activities.
• Identify and link key results and stories to the Communications department to be considered for Newsletter and social media requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, Agriculture Economics, or a related field (Master’s degree is an added advantage).
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing donor-funded projects, preferably in agriculture, conservation, or rural development.
• Strong knowledge of project cycle management, donor compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Proven experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex programs.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data and produce high-quality reports using Salesforce data management system.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and reporting tools).

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and coordination skills
• Results-oriented with high accountability
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability
• High integrity and professionalism
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines

To apply, send your cover letter and CV to hr@itswild.org by 15th May 2026, clearly stating the position in the email subject.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted through COMACO’s official email.