Humanitarian Program Manager

Oxfam Novib is a world-wide development organization that mobilizes the power of people against poverty.

Oxfam Novib is looking for a

Humanitarian Program Manager (HPM)
40 hours per week
1 year contract (with possibility of extension)
Kabul, Afghanistan (with frequent travel)
Unaccompanied posting

As the Managing Affiliate (MA) for Oxfam in Afghanistan, Oxfam Novib (ON) is responsible for leading humanitarian preparedness and response; directing advocacy, lobby and campaigning; supporting country office operations and managing security. In collaboration with local partners and other Oxfam affiliates, ON implements an integrated development, humanitarian and advocacy program, which is currently undergoing significant restructuring and expansion.

The Humanitarian Program Manager (HPM) will provide strategic leadership to Oxfam's emergency programming in Afghanistan and will also manage Oxfam Novib's humanitarian responses, working in close collaboration with national partners. The HPM also represents Oxfam externally at relevant national fora and works to build relationships with key Afghan and global stakeholders.

Core responsibilities

Oxfam Afghanistan humanitarian programming lead role

• Provide strategic leadership to Oxfam's humanitarian work in Afghanistan, including strategy development, fundraising, donor liaison and partner coordination;
• Monitor the rapidly changing humanitarian and security context in Afghanistan, analyse the impacts and opportunities for Oxfam and coordinate internal and external information sharing;
• Lead the development and regular updating of the Oxfam Afghanistan Contingency Plan (CP);
• Represent Oxfam on relevant humanitarian working groups, clusters and coordination mechanisms, as well as towards donor agencies in country;
• Coordinate with Oxfam and partner security focal points on security issues affected humanitarian programming and support the regular review of Oxfam's Security Management Plan (SMP).

Oxfam Novib emergency response delivery and preparedness role

• Work closely with closely with national partners to maintain up-to-date analysis of the national and regional humanitarian context in order to inform responses;
• Co- ordinate project appraisal, capacity assessment and partner capacity building activities;
• Develop Oxfam Novib's humanitarian profile, working closely with the Institutional Funding Officer (IFO) to identify relevant project and program funding opportunities;
• Develop concept notes and project proposals in response to relevant funding calls;
• Effectively manage Oxfam Novib's humanitarian responses with national partners, ensuring adherence to sound financial management and accountability practice;
• Ensure compliance with relevant Oxfam International program quality standards, including MEAL and gender in emergencies and internationally accepted humanitarian standards and guidelines;
• In collaboration with specialist staff, develop and implement effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems;
• Enhance linkages between humanitarian, advocacy, and long-term development programs;
• Recruit, performance manage and build capacity of humanitarian program staff;
• Manage the Oxfam Novib humanitarian program budget and oversee oversight project budgets;
• Develop annual strategies, work plans and budgets, monitor program implementation and report on progress towards objectives and outcomes in line with Oxfam policies and requirements.

Essential skills and experience

• At least 7 years experience managing emergency and development programs in Afghanistan, or similar, conflict-affected and highly insecure contexts;
• Sound knowledge of industry standards and codes, including the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, the People in Aid Code, SPHERE and Oxfam International polices and best practice;
• Proven analytical, strategic planning, project design, project cycle and financial management skills;
• Sound understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) principles and practice, as well as a commitment to promoting gender justice in all work;
• Proven people management skills, with experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and influencing individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds;
• Demonstrable understanding of relevant security policy and practice and experience negotiating key security issues in relation to humanitarian responses, particularly safe access;
• Commitment to promoting gender justice in all humanitarian programming;
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to build relationships with a diverse range of local, national and global stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritise, meet deadlines, and hold self and others to account;
• Willingness to travel regularly to rural, remote and insecure parts of Afghanistan and regionally;
• Adaptable and resilient, with previous experience of, and willingness to accept, high-risk, insecure contexts, restricted movements and basic living conditions, shared with colleagues;
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.

Desirable

• Afghan language skills - Dari and/or Pashtu;
• Experience with disaster risk reduction (DRR), preparedness and long-term development work;
• Remote program and operations management and monitoring experience.

We offer
Oxfam Novib is committed to providing a competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. The salary range for this position is set between EU 3,269 and EU 5,031 gross per calendar month. Additional allowances include 8% holiday, hardship, R&R, pension and comprehensive insurance.

More information and application procedure
Please send your CV and cover letter addressing the key criteria to Louise Karso, Recruiter, jobs@oxfamnovib.nl before May 15, 2014, quoting reference number 5-7700.
Further information about the job can be obtained from John Watt, CD Afghanistan,john.watt@oxfamnovib.nl . Information about the procedure is available with Ms Stijn Sas, International HR Advisor, stijn.sas@oxfamnovib.nl.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted