CONCERNED about the social and economic condition of the world’s people, not least among them Jamaicans? Consider a career as a project manager working in development.

With November 1 to be celebrated as International Project Management Day, ID your Career thought it timely to explore this career option. And so we turn to Sherrone Lobban, chief executive officer (CEO) and lead consultant with DMP (Development Partners and Management) International Limited, for insight.

DMP was set up last year, in part to address Lobban’s stated desire to help foster Jamaica’s development “in a meaningful way”.

She notes that “DPM International’s differential is that we value innovation and are always seeking to develop ground-breaking products that contribute to improving people’s lives”. And since their establishment last year, they have done precisely that.

“For example, we have since launched a flagship online training programme named Project Management for Development Practitioners and now have students from various parts of the world. This online course is the first of its kind globally,” Lobban noted.

The company offers consultancy service in poverty reduction; governance & civil society; and trade & development. They also design, evaluate, implement and research development policies, programmes and strategies, and offer training in such areas as project management, strategic planning, development management, results-based management, transformational leadership and change management.

Who is a project manager?

A project manager is a person who is responsible for managing a project so as to ensure that project activities are implemented according to plan. In managing a project, a project manager utilises several project-based tools and techniques during the project cycle.

What are the functions of a project manager working in development?

The functions of a project manager in the development field are largely similar to those of any project manager, with a few differences. All project managers, irrespective of the application area (area of specialisation) have to ensure, inter alia, that they control the project’s scope and budget; apply effective project human resources and communications management techniques; identify and manage project risks; and ensure that they monitor and evaluate the relevant project processes.

However, while project management is a discipline that may be adapted to any type of professional field, in the field of international development there are preferred tools and techniques such as the logical framework method, results chain logics and social mapping, which are used to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate development projects. These tools are not often used in other application areas such as information technology.

What is the value of the work that you do?

Development management is important to almost every facet of life because it takes place at the community level, within government and international organisations such as the United Nations. There is a clear ripple effect with better development management because a project that is effectively conceptualised and properly implemented can go a far way in enhancing the livelihoods or social mobility of the target group.

In development management there is a deliberate aim to implement programmes and projects that lead to issues such as improvement in the lives of citizens in terms of governance, higher literacy levels, reduced infant mortality and a reduction in poverty. Over the past decade or so, development management has evolved through various stages. Today there is greater emphasis on managing for development results. Therefore, results-based project cycle management alongside results-oriented monitoring and evaluation are now key factors.

What prompted your entry into the field?

I have always been involved in civic activities and community development work, but I decided to seriously pursue development as a career after assisting to implement a homework centre in Jones Town. The satisfaction I received from helping the attendees was quite refreshing. I then planned my career path to where I am now.

What is a typical day like for you as head of Development Partners & Management (DPM) International?

Luckily for me every day is different, dynamic and challenging. On any given day, I would be ensuring that members of my team are on schedule with their respective assignments and that existing clients are given that extra attention that epitomises high impact service delivery. With my team, I may have virtual meetings or face-to-face meetings depending on where team members are located.

As the lead consultant, I am always involved in ensuring that all aspects of current projects are on target and within budget and scope. Proposal writing is an important aspect of development management, so I am also involved in that process. I communicate quite frequently with partners and prospective and existing clients and lead the process of identifying new business prospects and markets.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I like the dynamism it offers in knowing that I am able to touch people’s lives using several development techniques and tools complemented by my own unique style, whether it is here in Jamaica, Africa or the Middle East.

What are some of the challenges you encounter in your line of work?

My greatest challenge is to ensure that my natural human emotion does not cloud my judgments or decisions that I am called upon to make. It is important that a balance is established between the levels of sympathy, empathy and impartiality I exhibit. At no time can I afford to get too emotionally immersed in situations that I am seeking to address. Another challenge is working with individuals from varying geographic, cultural and social backgrounds, who may not be tolerant of other socio-cultural groups. In cases like these, I always exercise a great deal of diplomacy, tact and tolerance.

How do you snag projects with which you get involved?

We bid on projects that are within our areas of specialisation/practice areas. In most instances, we bid on projects by responding to requests for proposals (RFPs). In other instances, we submit unsolicited proposals to organisations introducing them to a concept or service that we are able to offer.

The key to snagging projects of interest is to prepare a well-articulated and logical proposal in response to RFPs that you may be interested in. We also depend on our satisfied customers to refer us to their colleagues.

What are the academic requirements for getting into the field?

The first thing for persons interested in managing development projects is to gain qualifications in development management. To work on a team a first degree is OK; however, if a person would like to manage teams and projects then it is best to have experience in their area of specialisation complemented by a postgraduate degree in an area of development studies.

The person would also need training in project management in general and specifically in the application area of international development, because there are various project tools and techniques that are designed to be used, especially when managing a development project.

Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) would be an added bonus. PMP certification is not compulsory and neither is it restricted to development management. More importantly, in development management, employers often give preference to project managers who have knowledge or training in development over an individual who may be a PMP, but with no knowledge of development management.

Nevertheless, PMP is a credential that makes you eligible to manage most types of projects. The thing to note is that becoming a project manager in the field of international development requires not only educational qualification, but also experience. As a development manager you will be called upon to advise governments, international organisations and other entities, as well as to make decisions that will significantly affect people’s lives.

Therefore, your knowledge base should be sound. My advice to persons at the secondary or tertiary levels who would like to enter this field is to get involved in volunteering with organisations such as NGOs, the United Nations or the government, where they can build awareness of important issues within this field.

What of your own educational background?

I studied at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus where I attained a BA in Literatures in English (major), International Relations (minor); I also have an MA (Econ) i.e. Master of Arts in Development Administration and Management (specialisation Economic and Social Studies) from the University of Manchester, UK. I also have training in project management and am currently doing a refresher course to sit the exam to get credentials as a PMP. In January 2008, I will be pursuing a PhD in Social Policy.

How much money can be earned annually in your line of work? Use your own earnings as a gauge.

In the field of development management a development practitioner can earn an average hourly rate of between $400.00 and $1,000 upward depending on your qualifications and experience. Qualifications as a PMP can push your earnings even further.

Why would you encourage anyone to get into the field?

The field is not for the faint-hearted, but if you have a passion for serving others then this is the perfect career for you. The field is very dynamic and involves many areas of specialisation, for example public sector management, governance, NGO management, education, economics, sociology, community development and strategic planning. Therefore, it is very easy for a person to have a profession that truly aims to make people’s lives better within the context of indicators, such as the Human Development Index and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Think you have a great career? Share it with us. Contact the writer at the above mentioned e-mail address.