Project Management Specialist I

JOB SUMMARY

The Project Management Specialist will be responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and optimizing the day-to-day operations of SIEE with best practices. This role involves assisting and collaborating with various departments/units to support timely decision-making, proper implementation and reporting, and complete closing out of project under budget. Project management specialists should have excellent organization and communication skills and should be able to work well in cross-departmental teams. The individual should have diplomatic temperament and experience, able to handle situations from both sides, and have a cool attitude to handle pressure.

JOB FUNCTIONS/DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management and Coordination

· Assist the AVP in planning, implementation, monitoring, and closing out of projects and special initiatives, ensuring alignment with grant objectives and timelines.

· Develop and maintain project management plans, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

· Identify and mitigate risks that may affect project implementation and outcomes.

· Ensure that projects are implemented in compliance with federal, state, and donor regulations and SC State University policies.

· Collaborate with MACCOM to design, develop and publish special projects.

2. Project Budget Spending and Financial Management

· Oversee project budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure efficient use of resources.

· Work closely with the project director, managers, and coordinators to ensure proper project spending and financial reporting in collaboration with department of finance.

· Prepare financial forecasts, budget revisions, and financial reports of partners and other relevant stakeholders.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

· Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for each project, ensuring timely data collection, reporting, dissemination, and distribution.

· Ensure that key performance indicators (KPIs) and project deliverables are met, and that reports are submitted to donors and other donors on time.

· Conduct bi-monthly progress reviews and provide recommendations to AVP and project directors and managers improve project performance.

· Prepare quarterly, semi-annual, and final reports for internal and external stakeholders, including donors.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management

· Organize regular meetings and workshops with stakeholders to discuss project progress, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.

· Foster strong relationships with community of stakeholders including local, state, national, and international institutions, organizations and governments.

· Assist AVP to coordinate timely implementation of international MoUs, projects and partnership opportunities.

5. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

· Support the training and capacity building of SC State staff, students, and community partners involved in the projects.

· Organize workshops, training sessions, and seminars to share best practices and lessons learned.

· Promote knowledge exchange and collaboration across USDA and other funded projects at SC State.

6. Communication and Outreach

· Develop and implement communication strategies in coordination with the Marketing and Communications team to raise awareness about project activities and achievements.

· In coordination with the Marketing and Communication team, produce project-related communication materials, including newsletters, briefs, and social media content.

· Represent SC State at relevant conferences, meetings, and events related to agriculture and rural development.

· Collaborate with the departments of Grant Administration and Compliance, Accountability and Reporting to prepare and submit quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.

· Assist the AVP in faciliting the strategic planning process.

7. Expected Deliverables

· Assist AVP, VP/ED, and senior leadership team with special projects.

· Develop comprehensive project work plans, implementation, and closeout schedules.

· Coordinate timely submission of project/program reports to internal and external stakeholders.

· Successful coordination and implementation of project activities in line with the approved budgets and timelines and established M&E frameworks and regular progress reports to monitor project outcomes and effective communication and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

This individual must be skilled in the development, implementation, administration, and management of multidimensional projects and initiatives especially international partnerships. The ideal candidate will have expertise in communication, team dynamics, and functional knowledge of formal and informal presentation. The candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively to technical and nontechnical audiences verbally and through preparation and presentation of reports to various communities of stakeholders are key requirements for hiring consideration. The individual must demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others.

The individual must have the following essential competencies:

• Communication: Work with principal investigators, project directors and managers, externals clients to understand project requirements and objectives, and communicate with project stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties
• Planning: Develop project plans that include objectives, funding, schedules, and staff
• Vendor selection: Assist project directors, managers, and coordinators identify, review, and select vendors or consultants to meet project needs.
• Task assignment facilitator: Ensure assigned and expected duties or responsibilities to project staff are completed as scheduled. Assist and guide the work of technical staff.
• Problem resolution: Confer with project staff to identify and resolve problems
• Milestone monitoring: Monitor project milestones and deliverables
• Plan modifications: Propose, review, and approve modifications to project plans
• Document production: Produce and distribute project documents and reports to appropriate entities

· Strategic Planning and Organization: Ability to set priorities, plan, and execute project activities effectively.

· Communication: Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including the ability to present project updates clearly and concisely.

· Collaboration and Partnership Building: Proven ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and foster strong partnerships

· Results-Orientation: Focused on delivering results and achieving high standards of performance.

· Adaptability: Ability to respond to changing circumstances and deliver under pressure.

Personal Competencies

· Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing tasks effectively.

· Strong leadership, team coordination, and problem-solving skills.

· High level of proficiency in financial and narrative reporting.

· Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation systems and ability to track project progress against goals.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse teams. Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills capable of explaining technical information clearly to non-technical staff.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management software.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This individual should possess the minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience in collaborative leadership and managing and coordinating funded programs including international partnerships and development initiatives. Proven experience in strategic planning, budget development and management, compliance and reporting, stakeholder engagement and partnership management.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Work Environment: Office

Travel Requirements: yes

Application Requirements/Special Instructions:

This position is federally funded by the Farm Bill (Agriculture Improvement Act) Section 1444, Agricultural Extension Activities at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions / Section 1445, Agricultural Research Activities at 1890 Land Grant Institutions.

The individual will be housed in the 1890 Administrative Building located in Orangeburg, SC.

The individual must have the ability to perform duties on own initiative while receiving minimal supervision. The employee must be able to use good judgment in making decisions, exhibit a good working relationship with people, and highly dependable in planning, implementing, and reporting activities. Individual must be able to relate to diverse disadvantaged rural/urban people as well as professionals. A valid driver's license is required.

South Carolina State University is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment for all staff and applicants, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Compensation Package:

• Yearly pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Orangeburg, SC 29117 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Orangeburg, SC 29117: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000