About Global Cycle
Solutions:
Global Cycle
Solutions is a social enterprise that strives to bring quality affordable
technology to communities in Tanzania and other East African countries. We
currently market bicycle, hand, and solar powered devices designed to increase
productivity, improve quality of life, and/or generate income. For more
information, visit our website .
Position
Overview:
GCS is currently
developing a human-powered multi-crop threshing machine that is suitable for
the Tanzanian and East African context. The Multi-Crop Thresher (MCT) is
envisioned as a single, easy-to-use machine that will allow smallholder farmers
to thresh the major grain crops produced locally in a fast, modular, and
affordable way. Compared to traditional methods of threshing, the MCT should be
significantly more productive (in output per unit of time), less arduous (i.e.,
less labor quantity and less physical energy exerted), and ergonomically
superior (more comfortable to work with, especially for women). When compared
to motorized threshing devices, the MCT will have a lower throughput (though
still significantly more efficient than traditional methods), but will be a
fraction of the cost. GCS is seeking a Project
Manager for this project.
Reporting directly
to the CEO, the Project
Manager will be responsible for managing a 3-5 person team
that will include engineers, technicians, and researchers. Activities will
include: extensive market research; engineering design in active consultation
with users in rural communities; product performance testing; creation and
implementation of a project timeline and budget; aligning required tasks with
the strengths of existing personnel and determining when additional skills are
needed; budget management, record keeping, and grant reporting. In
addition, the incumbent will need to facilitate significant coordination
between the GCS team in Arusha, and a collaborating team at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. A minimum one-year
commitment to the project is required, and the position is based in Arusha.
Responsibilities:
- Manage
the day-to-day activities of the project and coordinate the work of all
team members to ensure steady progress towards clearly identified goals - Coordinate
the successful achievement of critical project deliverables (market
research, product design, field testing, market testing) and the
documentation (internal reporting and grant reporting) of all work - Report
progress and challenges to the CEO on a regular basis
Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate
is an experienced, self-motivated and team-oriented person who can thrive in
professional contexts that require high levels of both technical and people
skills. An ideal candidate will have a genuine interest in innovation, in
finding solutions, and in positively contributing to the livelihoods of rural communities
in Tanzania and East Africa.
Requirements:
- At
least 5 years of related project management experience at an engineering
or product design firm. Candidate must have some work experience in a
technology related setting. - University-level
education, or equivalent experience, in mechanical engineering, industrial
engineering, agricultural engineering, systems engineering, international
development, business management or a related field. - Demonstrated
skills in technical communication, report writing, and grants management. - Positive
team-work attitude, and respect for both local cultures and diverse teams. - Fluency
in English and Kiswahili
Desired Skills:
- Excellent
written and oral communication skills - Demonstrated
ability to build and lead a diverse team - Demonstrated
ability to cultivate customers in markets akin to rural East Africa - Demonstrated
ability to navigate the product development process - Demonstrated
proficiency in mechanical product design and engineering - CAD
modeling proficiency - Machine
shop proficiency - Ability
to drive an automobile (must have a clean driving record)
To Apply:
Interested
candidates should submit a letter of interest specifically addressing the
qualifications listed in this announcement, a current resume/CV, and a list of
3 professional references using the link below
