Program Manager

SUMMARY

The Program Manager (PM) ) is a member of the Program Implementation Unit. The primary role for this position is to effectively manage the implementation of development and emergency programs, including government, public, and privately funded activities, in assigned countries/regions following ADRA International’s, the Program Implementation Unit’s, and Donors’ Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines.

The PM will fill the role of “Country Program Team Leader (CPTL)” for the countries assigned to his/her team. The PM will develop programmatic strategies, systems, and plans, and will identify new funding opportunities, in close coordination with ADRA Regional Office, the assigned ADRA country office (s), and ADRA International’s Program Units.[1] 

The PM will be actively engaged in the planning/design stage of program development, taking on a technical, management, or generalist role in support of the program development team. The PM will represent ADRA to key stakeholders, including community leaders, government and private donors, host government and partner organizations. _____________________________________________________________________________________

OUTCOMES

• A Program Manager will supervise the adequate implementation of the assigned projects, based on the approved proposal, leading both ADRA International team and Country teams towards the achievement of the expected programmatic targets and objectives, a healthy financial burn-rate and assuring the compliance of ADRA I and donors regulations and policies.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

PRE-REQUISITES

Required 

• Educational requirement 

Master’s Degree in International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Public Health or related field, or equivalent combination of formal education/training and experience.

• Experience requirement
  • At least three years of experience in humanitarian program management with international NGOs, the U.S. government, multilateral or corporate organizations.
  • Specific experience managing BHA/PRM projects will be positively evaluated.
  • At least 3 years of field experience in a developing country context.
  • Experience in program design and implementation of U.S. government, private funded programs, and emergency programs.
  • Experience in management and monitoring of U.S. government-funded agreements and sub-grantee monitoring, previous experience with BHA/PRM funds is highly desired; U.S. government contract management experiences are also preferred.
  • Experience with U.S. government regulations that apply to USAID, USDA, and State Department Funding.
  • Substantial experience mentoring cross-cultural teams.
  • Understanding of international development innovations, best practices, lessons learned & program management standards.

• Other skills and abilities that are required.
  • Understanding of international development innovations, best practices, lessons learned & program management standards.
  • Ability to lead and motivate a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Ability to solve complex problems and operate at advanced levels of leadership responsibility over technical projects, new business efforts, budgets, and resources.
  • Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with U.S. and local government personnel, donors, clients, NGOs, and other partner institutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, perform, and direct management assignments and write relevant documents and proposals.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform work assignments in a team and cross-cultural environments.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Computer proficiency in Microsoft products or equivalent
  • Advanced written and verbal ability in English required
  • A second language is required (Spanish or Portuguese)

Preferred 

• PMD 1 Certificate
• Certificate in USAID Assistance Management 

______________________________________________________________________________

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Deciding and initiating action: Make prompt and clear decisions which may involve tough choices or considered risks. 
• Working with people: Demonstrate an interest in and understanding in other; adapts to the team and builds team spirit.
• Planning and Organising: Set clearly defined objectives; plan activities and projects wells in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances.
• Adapting and Responding to Change - Adapts to changing circumstances; accepts new ideas and change initiatives.

______________________________________________________________________________

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory Responsibilities

Capacity Building / Technical Assistance: (10%)

• Supports the improvement and updating of ADRA development/emergency standards and tools for program design, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation.

• Guarantees adequate program quality and project management through field visits, training, mentoring, and support to implementing office management and technical personnel.
• Assists the country office in the development of a Capacity Building Strategy for the office and project staff by following up and supporting the implementation of an Action Plan.

Country Program Team Leader (CPTL):

• In the role of Team Leader, serves as a contact point for communications and decisions with countries assigned to his/her team.
• Assists and engages in the development of Country Office’s Programmatic Plans.
• Manages all the initiatives in the assigned countries with assistance from a technical specialist.
• Leads out on intelligence gathering toward future business development opportunities on the countries assigned.

Functional Responsibilities

Project Management: (60%)

• Serves as the ADRA International PM for assigned portfolio of projects.
• Monitors and ensures completion of project obligations and adherence to donor and agency standards, regulations, and procedures.
• Build and foster a good relationship with USG key personnel through face to face and virtual meetings, emails, and phone calls in Washington DC and Local Missions,.
• Facilitates the timely start-up, implementation, and closeout of assigned U.S. development and emergency public and privately funded ADRA programs.
• Coordinates cross-sector and cross-unit grant management activities to ensure satisfactory and timely completion of grant obligations, including field visits, mid-term reviews, timely submission of reports, evaluations, and resource requests.
• Coordinates review of field reports, ensuring good dialogue, and follow-up with field staff.
• Edit and ensure ADRA presents quality reports to donors.

New Business Development: (20%)

• Coordinates with the BDU in the development of plans to meet ADRA programming targets, outlining target clients, donors and foundations, and geographic regions.
• Keeps informed of what the client is expecting and what the competition is offering to enhance ADRA’s proposals.
• Stays informed of U.S. Government Development and Emergency related priorities, donor trends, methodologies, and approaches that impact ADRA’s business and proposal development process.
• Cooperates with other sectors/units to identify and act on development/emergency related opportunities.

Representation to clients, partners, and other key stakeholders: (10%)

• Liaises, represents and participates in the development and emergency-related donor, industry, and ADRA working group meetings as appropriate.
• Establishes and maintains good working relations and communication with donors, clients, country offices, implementing partners, and other key stakeholders, including ADRA HQ staff.
• Participates in agency meetings, including relevant internal and external committees and working groups, as assigned.
•  Performs other duties as required

TRAVEL

Up to 40% of domestic and international travel required. Must have the ability to travel on short notice if necessary.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work in a fast-paced and customer service-oriented environment; to perform duties under pressure and meet deadlines in a timely manner; to work as part of a team as well as to complete assignments independently; to take instructions from supervisors; to exercise problem-solving skills; and to interact with co-workers, supervisors, network employees, donors and the public in a professional and pleasant manner.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

Person must be able to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation. Incumbent should be in optimal health for difficult and temporary below-basic living conditions at overseas location and for field travel in general.

[1] ADRA International’s Program Units: Program Technical Support Unit (PTSU), Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning Unit (MEAL), New Business Development Unit (BDU), Program Finance Unit (PFU) and Emergency Management Unit (EMU).

Qualifications