Department: Program
Position: Program Manager Contract duration: 1 year renewable Location: Kenya/Somalia Starting Date immediate
I. Background on ACTED:
ACTED, l’Agence d’Aide à la Cooperation Technique et au Développement or the Agency for Technical Co-operation and Development, is an NGO registered in France with global operations in Central Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa. ACTED has been active in Afghanistan since 1993, and is one of the largest NGOs in the country, capitalizing on a continued 10-year presence in Afghanistan throughout successive regimes and on established operations throughout Central Asia. ACTED operates mainly in the North, Northeastern and Central areas of Afghanistan. While most of ACTED’s operations in Afghanistan have so far been centered on relief activities (e.g. provision of food, shelter, response to natural disasters and IDP camp management), the agency is moving towards an integrated development strategy including community mobilization, infrastructure rehabilitation, water and sanitation, agriculture and micro-credit. As such, ACTED Afghanistan is both growing and changing, and requires staff which have the ability to operate in and manage this change effectively and creatively.
II. Program Information
ACTED Somalia has been implementing a project in South Central Somalia since 2008, focusing primarily on helping pastoralist and farmers communities to re establish and diversify their livelihoods in the wake of natural disasters. Taking into consideration the impact of climate change, the need to strengthen local governance and in anticipation of future drought- and flood-related disasters, ACTED implemented a first phase drought-response programme targeting the highly affected rural and agricultural populations in partnership with in-country development organisation SADO (Social-life and Agricultural Development Organization) an organization with more than ten years of experience working in food security related interventions in Somalia. Through this first phase, 11 340 households were supported through the distribution of 200 tons of agricultural seeds, tools and the provision of agricultural training. As a result of this intervention 80% of target households were able to resume their livelihoods while 100% of beneficiaries reported an improvement in household food security. However due to flooding in 2009 affecting Riverine populations in Sakow, destroying crops from the most recent season, an influx of IDPs and pastoralists from neighboring districts, vulnerable households in the Sakow area have been once again in need of emergency food support. Phase 2 of this intervention is being implemented since early 2010, aiming to build on the success of the previous project in order to ensure immediate emergency assistance to vulnerable families whilst also ensuring longer-term impacts for these communities. For rain-fed communities this intervention focuses on providing food for work for the most vulnerable e.g. IDPs, while improving access to water for agro-pastoralists who were able to re-start productive activities in Phase 1. Riverine communities who have lost their crops due to flooding receive seeds and agricultural training in order to replicate the previous success and ensure livelihoods are rebuilt.
III. Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will contribute to the development of his Program, which is a constitutive part of the country strategy, and subsequently manage its implementation. In the absence of the country director, the Program Manager will also ensure the overall supervision over ACTED operations in Kenya./Somalia.
- Ensure external representation of ACTED in relevant sectors
- Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities: Participate in technical and sectoral meetings to ensure visibility amongst local authorities;
- Representation vis-à-vis Donors: Participate in technical and sectoral Donor meetings and pass relevant information to the Country Coordinator;
- Representation vis-à-vis international organisations: Participate in technical and sectoral meetings and working groups involving NGOs and UN Agencies (OCHA, PNUD, UNICEF, FAO, etc.) and all other inter-governmental institutions; Contribute to the creation of reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required;
More generally, the project manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.
Project Cycle Management
- Project implementation: Plan the various stages of project implementation; Guide the implementation of the project and the methods of follow-up; Manage project finances, logistics and materials; Liaise with all internal and external counterparts of the project; Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources;
- Project reporting requirements: Set up a clear timeline of reports to be submitted to project Donors; Draft narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up; Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures. More generally, communicate systematically to the relevant Country or Area Coordinator on project progress and planning.
Provide Relevant Technical Expertise
- Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during project implementation: Collect technical information and analyse associated opportunities and risks; Identify relevant technical authorities and partners, and propose formal partnership and/or contracts.
- Undertake quality control: Analyse technical added-value and project impact; Set up technical evaluation exercises during and following implementation.
Oversee Project Staff and Security
- Guide and direct project staff: Organise and lead project coordination meetings; Prepare and follow work plans with each project member; Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts); Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life; Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of project personnel according to the project development; Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country or Area Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.); Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.
- Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff: When requested by HQ, undertake interviews to assess technical abilities of expatriate candidates living in the country.
- Oversee staff security: In cooperation with the relevant Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country or Area Coordinator and Country or Area Security Officer of developments through regular written reports; Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention; Ensure that security procedures are respected by each member of the project team.
Identify Best Practices and Lessons Learned Collect information and tools employed for project implementation; Draft memos detailing lessons learned and best practices identified during the project; Share such memos with internal and external partners; Communicate such information to the Country or Area Coordinator, to Regional Support Offices and to HQ Reporting Department.
IV. Qualifications:
- At least 2 years of field experience in program management and coordination;
- Familiarity with the aid system, and ability to understand donor and governmental requirements;
- Excellent communication and drafting skills;
- Able to coordinate and manage staff and project activities;
- Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
- Being a strong team player and adept at creating a strong team spirit;
- Ability to organize and plan effectively;
- Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people;
- Ability to travel and work in difficult conditions and under pressure;
- Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
V. Conditions:
• Salary according to internal grid of ACTED can varies from 1400€ to 2200€ depending on level of education (BA or MA), technicity the position request and on the security level in the country. • Living allowance per month of 300US$ • Benefits : All accommodation, food and travel expenses covered. Medical and life insurance also covered. • Living & Security conditions : Further information available during the interview process.
VI. Submission of applications:
Applications, in English, should include a resume, a covering letter and three references. Application to the following address: jobs@acted.org REF : PM/SO/RW
Mailing address :
ACTED 33, rue Godot de Mauroy 75009 Paris FRANCE
Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46 E-mail: jobs@acted.org
For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org
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