Program Manager for Africa (Niger & Sudan) - Based in DC

Position: Program Manager for Africa (Niger & Sudan) - Based in DC

Location: Washington DC (70%); Field (30%)

About RI: Relief International (RI), an international relief and development agency with cross-sectoral programs bridging relief and development, currently seeks a Program Manger to administer designated country programs in Africa under his/ her scope of work at the HQ level and with routine visits to coordinate country-based teams.

Summary:

This position requires experience managing country based programs in Africa and expertise in health and nutrition. The Program Manager will provide hands-on daily management of country project grants and contract compliances, procurement administration support, finance management leadership, program implementation and project cycle management, and program development (including proposal writing and budget preparation) in collaboration with the field and program development team. The Program Manager plays a key role in partnering (hands-on and strategically) with country-based staff on program design, evaluation, and program implementation. The Program Manager works with HQ departments on program recruitment, daily operations (security and logistics), and public relations. For the designate country programs in his/her scope of work, the Program Manager serves as the vital and responsive link between field officers, HQ staff, and donors. Based on the Africa programs, the Program Manager, Africa is required to have expertise in health, nutrition, and or relevant sector approaches such as child survival, safe motherhood, MCH, and CMAM.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Program Management:
Serve as primary liaison for the Program Department to other departments for country projects under the designate scope of work.
Supervise and mentor program officers or associates, as assigned.
Direct and coordinate program activities to ensure effective operations consistent with RI objectives and mission.
Ensure program activities are consistent with international standards, such as IAC and SPHERE.
Directly supervise Country Directors / Heads of Office for each of the country programs under the scope of work; provide overall guidance and motivation to RI field staff members.
Review and revise all programmatic documentation for submission and dissemination for internal vetting and onward to external dissemination.
Review and revise the submission of periodic narrative program reports to donor in a timely, compliant and consistent manner.
Lead strategic analysis and course correction in project finance management.
Ensure finance, human resources, and operations for country programs are in place to RI standard procedures for efficient and impactful project implementation.
Be a security focal point for countries under the scope of work, providing on-call and strategic support contributions to the country and HQ teams and in coordination with security and operations senior staff members and RI standard procedures.
Read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, and governmental regulations related to technical project deliverables.
Promote RI program results, impact, and visibility with partners in the international relief and transitional development community, government representatives, and to general public; lead contributions to RI external representation in the interagency and donor community in Washington DC.
Liaise with appropriate representatives of donor agencies, UN agencies, international organizations, institutions and other NGOs for the coordination and collaboration that lead to development and implementation of effective projects.
Assist Program Director in formulation and administration of RI’s strategies and policies.
Travel to field offices as needed to monitor operations and program implementation and provide additional linkage/support to country-based personnel; prepare field visit reports for internal review and dissemination.
Oversee safe and effective deployment for any staff reports going to country offices.
Evaluate program results and make recommendations for future program directions.
Facilitate the recruitment of expatriate staff for programs by communicating with prospective candidates and conducting final interviews
Advise program staff on conduct and direction of program, field assessments, agency policies and donor requirements.

Grants and Contracts Management:
Review analyses of project activities, costs, operations, and forecast data to determine progress toward stated goals and objectives.
Work closely with senior finance staffs and program director on legal and financial matters pertaining to the organization's international field programs.
Review and revise all agreements/contracts with federal government, private donors, vendors, and partners.
Track financial aspects of program implementation, including budgets, projection of expenses, pipeline analysis, and processing of expenses.

Program Development:
Supervise development of concept papers, project proposals and responses to RFPs.
Contribute to technical writing of proposals when necessary to fill gaps or add value.
Assist in preparing/fact checking public relations materials such as brochures, information sheets, newsletters, and annual reports that promote project work.
Work with the Program Development unit to develop and maintain strategy for ongoing country programs.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

BA in international relations, business, non-profit management or other related field, graduate degree strongly preferred.
At least 9 years’ relevant work experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
At least 3 years recent expertise on project design, assessment, and or implementation in health, nutrition, or relevant sector approaches including child survival, safe motherhood, MCH, and CMAM.
Prior experience in developing nations, preferably in conflict or insecure zones.
Ability to spend up to 30% of the time in the field offices.
Proven success in leading and managing staff both domestically and internationally.
Deep familiarity with and knowledge of USAID and other US Government agencies’ rules and regulations; working relationship with other members of the INGO community in DC preferred.
Deep familiarity with SPHERE, IASC, and other working standards in the humanitarian community.
At least 4 years’ experience working at the HQ level, preferably in DC
Excellent conceptualization and strategy skills.
Superior writing and editing skills.
Superior budget preparation and analysis skills
Enthusiasm for juggling multiple and competing priorities a must.
Arabic and/or French language fluency highly desired.
Prior regional experience highly desired.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to apply

Application Procedure: To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, salary history, 3 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after a second interview) with the date of availability to hrprogram@ri.org

Incomplete applications will not be considered. The email subject line should include the following: Program Manager- Africa.