Head of Programs (HoP) - Asia
I.JOB SUMMARY
The Head of Programs (HoP) – Asia is responsible for ensuring that ACF responds to the humanitarian needs in Pakistan & Cambodia. When suitable, the HoP conducts and/or arranges exploratory missions to open up operations in new countries within the Asia region. The HoP will be responsible for the coordination and line management of the Country Directors. The position oversees the management of his/her assigned missions’ grants, financial planning, security, and team management, as well as the development of project proposals in line with local needs and ACF’s strategic direction.
The HoP works closely with Technical Advisors, other HoPs, and the Director of Operations to develop and implement country strategies in Pakistan and Cambodia.
Countries assigned to each HoP may be periodically reviewed and re-allocated depending on HQ needs and evolving ACF strategy.
II.Essential Job Duties
Main Objective
As a key member of the Operations Department, the HoP supervises mission activities in assigned countries, provides leadership and vision to ACF’s program agenda, and supports the development of new programs or missions.
Specific Objectives
- General Responsibilities The HoP role’s main responsibility is to ensure that each mission under his/her supervision operates based on sound humanitarian principles, and follows ACF’s operational strategy and standards.
Mission Management
The HoP – Asia is responsible for the management of the Pakistan and Cambodia programs. More specifically, the HoP supports and follows up field missions on:
• Security management (prevention and management) – stays abreast of the security context and ensures security policies and procedures are updated and followed
• Strategic Direction – advises on the development of country strategies and ensures follow up throughout the year both at HQ and in the field
• Financial Accountability – ensures missions are accountable to donors, that mission funding plans are kept up to date, BFUs analysed, and that risks are identified and mitigated
• Grant Management and Donor Relations – ensures missions pursue funding opportunities in line with ACF’s charter, that proposals are submitted in a coherent and timely fashion, that the life of each grant is followed, issues identified, and all reporting requirements met
• Human Resources – ensures strategic HR oversight of national and international employees, and all consultants who may be periodically hired.
• Logistics Accountability – ensures high value procurements are completed as per approved work plans, with appropriate procurement plans developed and utilized by all missions
• Program support – coordinates with technical teams to ensure programs are defined and implemented according to ACF’s technical protocols and quality guidelines, and that new initiatives are implemented as needed.
• Emergency Response – Ensures missions are prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise within their country.
Coordination of Operations’ Department activities for mission support:
• Coordinates the weekly POOL meeting for his/her countries.
• Periodically updates HQ archives with all relevant mission documents and contracts
Mission funding
• Works with the HQ Field Finance Officer and mission Finance Controllers to ensure that current and future programs in Cambodia and Pakistan are sufficiently funded, and that general support is sufficient for implementation.
• Keeps informed of any changes or evolution in the donors’ guidelines so s/he can support and validate the writing of mission budget proposals.
Donors
• Builds and maintains donor relationships. Acts as the focal point for donor relationships - provides relevant updates on context, country strategy and programs’ progress.
• Explores funding possibilities with the full range of institutional donors. Collaborates with the External Relations department to support the development of grants with major private donors.
• Remains informed of any changes or evolution in the donors’ guidelines so s/he can support and validate the writing of mission budget proposals.
Human Resources
• Works with the Country Director (CD) and HR Officer to develop the mission’s organizational structure, ensuring it meets each country’s program needs.
• Validates Job Descriptions for all management roles, irrespective of contracting status. Confirms the budget and supports the recruitment process for all management positions.
• Supports and supervises the CD. Provides CD with regular feedback, conducts Performance Appraisals, and supports each CD’s professional development
• Works closely with the CD and HR Officer to resolve HR issues in each mission. Supports the development of annual HR strategy.
Supports the CD, HR Coordinator and HR Officer to ensure that ACF’s organizational HR policies and procedures are implemented and reinforced in all missions.
• When required, supports the recruitment and professional development of expatriates (interviews, performance evaluations, trainings).
Communication & Advocacy
• Liaises extensively with External Relations department on field issues, as well as to enhance content material for the website, and define and provide content suitable for wider dissemination and advocacy work.
• Provides information from reports to be translated into press releases or communiqués.
Liaises with the Country Director and External Relations regarding media interviews.
• Liaises with ACF Advocacy to support in the development of mission advocacy plans.
Representation
Attends relevant conferences and meetings when the agenda includes missions in his/her portfolio, which may include monthly Interaction and OCHA/UN meetings.
Develops a network of key contacts with NGOs, institutional partners, universities and diplomatic representation.
When necessary, represents ACF at Asia regional meetings relevant to program direction
Develops a network of key contacts with NGOs, institutional partners, universities and diplomatic representation.
When necessary, represents ACF at Asia regional meetings relevant to program direction
III.Supervisory Responsibilities:
• The HoP directly supervises the Pakistan and Cambodia Country Directors (CDs), as well as including the roving Country Director. S/he is responsible for advising, providing feedback and supporting the learning and development of the CDs, in accordance with HR policy.
• The HoP may supervise the Program Operational Assistants, ensuring they have clear objectives and are regularly provided with feedback and performance appraisals
• The HoP may supervise the Program Operational Assistants, ensuring they have clear objectives and are regularly provided with feedback and performance appraisals
IV. Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, carry a backpack or other equipment of up to 50 pounds, to ride long distances over very poor road/water conditions, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, carry a backpack or other equipment of up to 50 pounds, to ride long distances over very poor road/water conditions, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
V. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.
VI. Required Qualifications and professional experience
Masters degree in international relations, international development and policy, or a related field, together with at least five years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Field experience as a Country Director, preferably with ACF. Experience working in highly political, complex emergency, developmental and security environments.
Field experience in the Asia region, and specifically in Pakistan and Cambodia highly desirable.
Field experience as a Country Director, preferably with ACF. Experience working in highly political, complex emergency, developmental and security environments.
Field experience in the Asia region, and specifically in Pakistan and Cambodia highly desirable.
VII. Required skills
Ability to analyze and cogently report on complex, sensitive material.
Demonstrable knowledge of international humanitarian affairs, including a solid understanding of donor policies and procedures (including ECHO, DIPECHO, EU, USAID, UN, DFID, SIDA, DFATD).
Solid understanding of international humanitarian assistance programs, with an emphasis on the functions, politics and procedures of the UN system and donor governments.
Relevant experience in representation and advocacy. Ability to represent the organization, defend humanitarian positions and arguments in public forums.
Ability to work cooperatively with subordinates, colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
Knowledge of MS Office Suite (high proficiency in Excel). Must be comfortable working with computers with minimal IT support.
Genuine interest in & commitment to the humanitarian principles of Action Against Hunger.
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently & as a member of a team.
Fluent written & spoken English.
Knowledge of French & Spanish preferred.
Demonstrable knowledge of international humanitarian affairs, including a solid understanding of donor policies and procedures (including ECHO, DIPECHO, EU, USAID, UN, DFID, SIDA, DFATD).
Solid understanding of international humanitarian assistance programs, with an emphasis on the functions, politics and procedures of the UN system and donor governments.
Relevant experience in representation and advocacy. Ability to represent the organization, defend humanitarian positions and arguments in public forums.
Ability to work cooperatively with subordinates, colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
Knowledge of MS Office Suite (high proficiency in Excel). Must be comfortable working with computers with minimal IT support.
Genuine interest in & commitment to the humanitarian principles of Action Against Hunger.
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently & as a member of a team.
Fluent written & spoken English.
Knowledge of French & Spanish preferred.
How to apply:
Please apply online at the below web link:
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