Equal Access International (EAI) – a non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Washington, D.C. – partners with communities around the world to co-create sustainable solutions utilizing community engagement and participatory media and technology. With funding from bi-laterals, multi-laterals, foundations, and individual donors, EAI has a 20-year track record implementing social change projects around the world and currently operates through 12 country programs across Asia and East and West Africa.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Program Manager based in Washington, DC is a blended role, responsible for ensuring technical excellence and project compliance to EAI’s field-based projects. 

The Program Manager will be responsible for troubleshooting complex operational matters, identifying, and mitigating areas risk to programming, and escalating issues to the leadership team with proposed solutions. The Program Manager will oversee project officers and assistants, assigning and overseeing program’s administrative tasks.

Technically, the Program Manager will contribute to and monitor technical strategies, working with the Technical Director to ensure field activities meet EAI quality standards. He/she will travel regularly to the field; represent the organization with existing and potential clients, partners, and funders and at workshops, conferences, and other public fora; as well as support monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning. This position may have direct reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership

• Works closely with in country program teams on assigned projects, to support them to implement their initiatives with the highest possible quality.
• Advances and develops EAI’s technical work, expertise and reputation in the field of– but not limited to – Countering Violent Extremism, peacebuilding, participatory media & technology, SBCC and norms change.
• Ensures effective and efficient program implementation including running weekly technical check-ins with in-country project staff, reviewing and / or co-drafting technical outputs, ensuring that technical activities are implemented on time and within the allocated budget and scope of work, and ensuring high quality technical outputs from partners and subs.
• Provides oversight of project MERL deliverables, ensuring work plans/GANTT charts, logic models, and M&E plans are developed and delivered (see below for more details).

Project Oversight and Compliance

• Leads communications with the field team communications and is responsible for EAI’s reputation with field staff.
• Addresses field inquiries and needs promptly, recommending solutions to resolve a variety of issues, including programmatic, technical, client, contractual, compliance, personnel, financial, and administrative matters.
• Uses strong knowledge of procurement processes to ensure field and HQ procurements align with EAI’s Procurement Manual; mentors program field staff to strengthen adherence to applicable manuals.

• Responsible for overseeing, contract-related procurement, subcontracting, expenditure and budget monitoring, long-term and short-term personnel, travel, report editing and formatting, success story drafting and other relevant matters.

Financial

• Oversees budget monitoring, tracking level of effort utilization, deliverables, reviewing invoices, subcontractors, expense reports, etc. to monitor compliance with funder and EAI policies.
• Ensures projects remain on target for monthly burn rates.

Supervision

• Supervises project officers and assistants working on assigned projects as applicable.
• Provides mentoring and opportunities to officers and assistants per professional development plans.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area or equivalent additional work experience
• At least 7-years of relevant work experience in international development with demonstrated ability to handle progressive levels of responsibility
• Experience working on USAID and DOS-funded projects
• Experience working in and/or knowledge of operating context for Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan
• Proven technical knowledge and experience supporting projects covering Countering Violent Extremism, peacebuilding, participatory media & technology, SBCC and norms change
• Proven ability to backstop large-scale programs and/or portfolios, manage complex budgets
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English to effectively present information, respond to questions, and prepare written reports in a professional and timely manner
• Proficiency in English and one of the following: Tajik, Pashto, Dari
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, US and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy-makers

• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Smooth multi-tasking among multiple responsibilities, ability to think innovatively and introduce new concepts
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel (25%) internationally sometimes in demanding physical and/or security situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This hybrid position is based at EAI’s Washington, DC office with up to 25% travel, sometimes in demanding physical and/or security situations. This job operates in an office setting in an open plan environment and may require sitting for long periods of time. The open plan environment consists of larger open spaces with less walls, offices, or rooms. There can be periods of activity and talking amongst other employees that can be seen or heard more frequently in an open plan environment.

This role has regular uses of office equipment such as computers, smartphones, copiers, and scanners which involves close visual activity, fingering, grasping, and reaching. This is largely a sedentary role with heavy use of cognitive skills. At times, this position may have activities that would require the ability to lift or carry up to 25 lbs along with frequently bending, twisting, or squatting.

This role has travel internationally via air travel. Flights are a minimum of 8 hours long or go longer depending on the field location. There will be additional time in transit to and require additional modes of transportation to areas that are remote and difficult to get to. The availability of adequate medical resources available are limited in these areas.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a 40 hour per week full-time/hybrid position. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL

There is international travel associated with this role. There may be local travel depending on events and donor activities. 

COMMENT

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. EAI does not provide sponsorship.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

EAI is an equal opportunity employer. EAI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all employees and applicants seeking employment. EAI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making or any other protected classifications, activities, or conditions as required by federal, state and local laws. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at EAI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical related condition.