Deputy Multi-Country Project Manager

We are currently looking for a: Deputy Multi-Country Project Manager

• 1-year initial international contract, with a possibility to extend
• Fulltime
• Location: one of the three programme countries — Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Bamako (Mali), or Niamey (Niger) —with regular travel to other countries and to present SNV and the programme on fora.
• Expected start date: 01 June 2026

Overview of the assignment
Pro-ARIDES is a programme to increase resilience, food security, and incomes for farmer and (agro)pastoralist- especially women and young people in the Sahel, one of the most climate vulnerable regions in the world. The program started its second phase in January 2026 and runs up to 2030. The programme is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Danish funding in addition and implemented by a consortium led by SNV, together with CARE, WUR, and KIT, the programme operates across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The Deputy Multi Country Project Manager would be part of SNV's team.

Pro-ARIDES aims to ensure that households adopt climate resilient agro-sylvopastoral practices, local economies function more effectively, and communities jointly manage natural resources through inclusive and conflict sensitive mechanisms. We work to enhance the influence of women and young people in economic and community decision-making, and to support local governments in delivering accountable, inclusive services integrated into local plans and budgets.
 

During the first phase of the programme, activities focused on empowering institutions, building institutional capacity, and restoring trust, while also developing, testing, and refining methods and strategies. As the programme moves into Phase II, institutionalization, system transformation, and continuous learning become central objectives. To support this shift and to drive the ambition forward, the role of Deputy Multi-Country Project Manager has been established within the programme management team.

Pro-ARIDES - SNV | Official website

Overview of the position
As Deputy Multi ‑Country Project Manager, you will play a key role in steering Pro-ARIDES into its next phase of maturity and largescale system‑ ‑level impact across the Sahel. You will help shift the programme from piloting to deepening, scaling and embedding proven approaches and ensure they become embedded in governance, social, and market systems for long-term‑ sustainability.

Based in one of the programme countries, this role requires a systems oriented leader with strong partnership, coordination, and adaptive management skills. You must be able to navigate complex, conflict‑ sensitive‑ environments and drive sustainable change in collaboration with a wide range of actors.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will collaborate with country teams, partners, and key institutions across three countries while driving the programme’s systemic transformation by scaling proven approaches, embedding cross‑cutting priorities, and strengthening locally led, evidence driven‑ governance. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Operationalise adaptive management, translating it into concrete, practical approaches and embedding these throughout all programme processes and ways of working.
• Drive SNV’s work on fragility, leading the development of a clear organisational approach for operating in fragility, conflict and violence (FCV) contexts and guiding how the programme engages in fragile environments.
• Guide the programme’s transition from experimentation to consolidation and scaling, ensuring that proven approaches are deepened, expanded, and stabilised to achieve long-term‑, system level‑ impact.
• Shape coherent pathways for scaling and institutional anchoring, aligning interventions with governance, social, and market systems to ensure relevance and durability.
• Embed successful approaches into public policies, local development plans, institutional budgets, and government service systems, securing sustainability beyond programme funding.
• Lead knowledge development, communication, quality reporting and branding efforts, integrating adaptive management into all learning and communication processes. Identify opportunities for additional funding and foster new strategic partnerships.
• Monitor programme integrated monitoring and learning systems including  MEL, action research, knowledge development for adaptive management.

Qualifications

To be considered for this role, you bring:

• Academic background in rural development, agronomy, livestock farming, knowledge management or a related field
• 10+ years of project management experience, including at least 5 years leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects, preferably in the Sudano-Sahelian zone in relation to resilience, food security, local economic development, governance, gender, and social inclusion.
• Proven experience in capacity strengthening, coaching, and advising teams on systems transformation within development programmes.
• Strong knowledge of gender equality approaches, conflict sensitivity, and participatory research and M&E methods.
• Excellent French (written and spoken) and a good level of English.
• Willingness and ability to travel in the Sahel contexts.

Additional Information

Working at SNV 
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote international career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with local expertise and knowledge. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

SNV is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment and make recruitment decisions based on merit, competence, and organisational needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from under-represented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply 
If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity, we warmly welcome your application. Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English by 31st of March 2026 via SmartRecruiters.
The 1st round of interviews will be conducted in de 2nd week of April.

To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process, we kindly ask that you apply only if you meet the essential qualifications and are available to work in the specified location.

If this role isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile.

Reference and vetting check
At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

SNV is committed to safeguarding and to protecting children and adults from all forms of harm, with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of misconduct. As part of creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, all staff, consultants, and partners are expected to uphold SNV’s safeguarding, child protection, ethical standards, and CARE principles. In line with these commitments — and as a participant in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s), covering any substantiated findings of misconduct, to ensure a recruitment process that safeguards and protect the communities we serve.