Project Manager – Waste Management & Circular Economy Program

Company: WasteAid
Job Type: Contract (1 Year – Renewable Based on Performance & Funding)
Location: Banjul, with regular travel to Greater Banjul Area and Tanbi Wetlands Catchment Communities
Reports To: Country Programme Manager – The Gambia
Industry: NGO / Nonprofit, Waste Management, Environmental Sustainability, Circular Economy, Project Management
Job Category: Administrative, Business Development, Communication & Public Relations, Monitoring & Evaluation, Operations, Project Management, Waste Management, Record Keeping & Reporting

Project Manager – Environmental & Waste Management Job in The Gambia

Job Overview

WasteAid is seeking an experienced and results-driven Project Manager to lead environmental and waste management programmes in The Gambia. This exciting opportunity focuses on scaling sustainable plastic recycling systems, circular economy initiatives, waste collection programmes, environmental protection, NGO project implementation, community development, donor-funded programmes, and livelihood improvement projects.

The successful candidate will oversee implementation of the First Step Resource Management Programme – Phase 2, aimed at reducing plastic waste pollution affecting the Tanbi Wetlands through stronger recycling systems, community partnerships, waste collection enterprises, and market linkages.

Professionals searching for project manager jobs, NGO jobs, environmental jobs, sustainability jobs, donor-funded programme jobs, waste management jobs, development sector careers, monitoring and evaluation jobs, operations manager jobs, and community development vacancies are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants interested in additional NGO and development opportunities can also explore project manager jobs in Gambia for updated vacancies in project management, humanitarian work, administration, and sustainability sectors.

About the Organisation

WasteAid is an international non-governmental organization working in low- and middle-income countries to improve environmental and economic outcomes. The organization supports green businesses, grassroots entrepreneurs, recycling systems, circular economy models, waste management innovation, environmental sustainability, and livelihood creation.

The organization works closely with communities, municipal councils, private sector actors, and government stakeholders to promote cleaner environments and sustainable economic growth.

Job Purpose

The Project Manager will provide operational leadership and high-quality delivery of waste management and environmental sustainability projects in The Gambia. Reporting directly to the Country Programme Manager, the successful candidate will oversee programme implementation, compliance, reporting, stakeholder engagement, budget monitoring, procurement, and project expansion readiness.

The role focuses heavily on programme delivery, donor compliance, waste recycling systems, market linkage development, project implementation, financial oversight, risk management, safeguarding, and monitoring & evaluation (MEAL).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programme Delivery & Scale-Up Leadership

The Project Manager will:

• Lead programme start-up and implementation planning.
• Translate project objectives into practical delivery strategies.
• Coordinate programme scaling and operational readiness.
• Ensure strong implementation systems, procurement planning, and partner coordination.
• Identify implementation risks, lessons learned, and operational opportunities.

2. Project Implementation & Quality Assurance

Responsibilities include:

• Managing project workplans and delivery timelines.
• Supervising field implementation activities across target communities.
• Supporting plastic waste collection, recycling initiatives, processing centres, collector groups, and waste aggregation systems.
• Ensuring safe, inclusive, and community-led project implementation.
• Managing external consultants and service providers effectively.

Candidates exploring broader development careers in East and Southern Africa may also browse project manager jobs in Ethiopia for current NGO, sustainability, and programme management opportunities.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building

The successful candidate will:

• Build relationships with municipal councils, government agencies, NGOs, private recyclers, aggregators, and community leaders.
• Strengthen market systems connecting waste collectors with recyclers and offtakers.
• Facilitate stakeholder coordination meetings and problem-solving initiatives.
• Represent the organization in external meetings and partnership discussions.

4. Budget Management & Financial Compliance

The role involves:

• Managing programme budgets and expenditure tracking.
• Monitoring financial performance and spending controls.
• Supporting procurement planning and implementation.
• Ensuring donor compliance and value-for-money procurement.
• Coordinating financial reporting with grants and finance teams.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

Key responsibilities include:

• Implementing monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Ensuring quality data collection and programme reporting.
• Managing assessments, evaluations, baseline, and endline studies.
• Documenting programme learning and adaptive management practices.
• Measuring environmental and community impact.

6. Donor Reporting & Communications

The Project Manager will:

• Prepare timely donor reports with programme progress updates.
• Document risks, achievements, mitigation measures, and programme impact.
• Work with communications teams to collect case studies, success stories, and community evidence.

Professionals interested in regional environmental and development sector jobs may also visit project manager jobs in Mozambique for sustainability, NGO programme, and project leadership vacancies.

7. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

The selected candidate will:

• Supervise Project Officers and short-term consultants.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
• Strengthen partner capacity in waste collection systems, record keeping, safety procedures, business readiness, and route planning.
• Promote accountability, safeguarding, inclusion, and teamwork.

8. Risk Management & Safeguarding

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining project risk registers.
• Managing operational, fiduciary, safeguarding, and reputational risks.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols.
• Promoting safe fieldwork practices and proper use of PPE.

9. Proposal & Pipeline Support

The candidate will:

• Support proposal development and fundraising efforts.
• Contribute implementation insights and programme evidence.
• Assist with concept notes, budgets, delivery planning, and donor proposals.

Education & Qualification Requirements

Applicants should possess:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Waste Management, Sustainability, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Equivalent professional experience may also be considered.
• Professional certifications in project management, MEAL, procurement, donor compliance, or environmental sustainability are an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong experience managing donor-funded projects with compliance and reporting responsibilities.
• Proven background in budget management, procurement, and financial controls.
• Experience engaging government institutions, NGOs, municipal authorities, communities, and private sector stakeholders.
• Experience in community-led development, environmental programmes, recycling systems, waste management, livelihoods programming, and sustainability initiatives.
• Team leadership and staff supervision experience.
• Strong donor reporting and proposal writing skills.

Desirable Experience

Additional advantages include:

• Experience in plastic recycling, circular economy, environmental sustainability, informal livelihoods programming, and waste management systems.
• Knowledge of market linkages between collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and private sector actors.
• Experience in behaviour change communication, awareness campaigns, and impact measurement.
• Familiarity with MEAL frameworks, assessments, and third-party evaluations.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: Competitive (Paid in GBP from the UK – Amount Not Disclosed)

Additional benefits may include:

• International NGO experience
• Exposure to donor-funded environmental programmes
• Professional training and leadership development
• Career progression opportunities in sustainability and development sectors
• Experience in international project implementation and stakeholder engagement

Important Tax Note: The successful applicant will be responsible for handling personal tax deductions and statutory remittances within The Gambia.

Training & Professional Development

The organization supports continuous professional growth through:

• Project management and leadership training
• Monitoring & Evaluation (MEAL) workshops
• Environmental sustainability and circular economy learning
• Procurement and donor compliance training
• Stakeholder management and safeguarding sessions
• Waste recycling and green business systems development

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send:

• Updated CV / Resume
• Salary history or salary expectations
• Cover Letter (Maximum 2 Pages) explaining suitability for the role

Submit applications via email to:

[email protected]

Email Subject Line

Project Manager – The Gambia

Application Deadline

Sunday, 12th April 2025

Important Notice: Applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged as the vacancy may close before the stated deadline if sufficient applications are received.

Eligibility Requirement

Applicants should preferably already be based in The Gambia and possess the legal right to live and work in the country.

WasteAid is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates from historically underrepresented communities.