Program Development Associate – Central, East and Southern Africa

The Organization

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 615 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 57 offices in 35 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff that is committed to its mission and values. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.

Summary of Position

The Program Development Associate will support program development and fundraising efforts for conflict transformation projects in 13 countries in Central, East and Southern Africa (Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe).

The Program Development Associate will support fundraising, reporting, visibility, and developing partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders working on conflict, ensuring that quality and innovative concepts and proposals are produced, in line with country and regional strategies. The Program Development Associate will also support external communications with donors and partners and liaise with the Global Affairs and Partnerships (GAP) and Communications Departments to enhance the visibility of the region and represent the organization in relevant forums, including supporting coordination of the Great Lakes Policy Forum.

The Program Development Associate will be a key member of the Africa Regional Support Team and will be supervised by the Program Development Manager, East, Central and Southern Africa. The Program Development Associate will work in close collaboration with the Regional Directors, Regional Program Managers and country teams, in a manner which consistently builds capacity and enables creativity and country program strategies to be funded.

Work Environment

Search for Common Ground has a great work environment with a mission of peacebuilding in the world. SFCG is a stimulating and richly rewarding organization to work for – full of hard-working, friendly, bright, enthusiastic, and passionate people dedicated to the work they do. There are many opportunities for team-building and involvement in staff events. The organization has won numerous awards.

Responsibilities

Program Development

Under the supervision of the Program Development Manager, East, Central and Southern Africa, the Program Development Associate will support new program development for the 13 countries in the East, Central and Southern Africa portfolio. Key responsibilities will involve the following:

1. Lead the design, development and submission of strategic concept notes and proposals, ensuring compliance with donor rules and regulations, alignment with SFCG and country strategic priorities and innovation and quality.
2. Provide administrative support to the production of large proposal bids, ensuring that the submissions include all required documents and meet the administrative criteria.
3. Support country teams with budget preparation and liaise with the Finance Team and Regional Director to ensure compliance with donor and organizational guidelines and policies.
4. Provide support to country programs in their development and design of their country strategies and donor strategies, ensuring alignment with the organization-wide priorities.
5. Support country teams in developing communication products aiming at promoting country programs or strategies as part of the region's fundraising efforts.

Reporting

1. Supervise project reporting process, provide review and edit prior to submission, ensuring high quality donor reports which communicate results clearly.
2. Track report submission deadlines and ensure that donor reports are on time and in line with reporting requirements.
3. Support capacity building efforts for in-country staff to improve capacity

External relations, communications & visibility

1. Be a focal point where delegated on donor communications, working together with the Program Development Manager, country team and Regional Program Manager to clarify information, follow-through on requests.
2. Liaise with GAP and Communications to enhance the visibility of the region, through participation in conferences, workshops, working groups, etc., and contribution to visibility material as relevant.
3. Support the organization of the Great Lakes Policy Forum, in coordination with GAP and the Regional teams.
4. Develop and cultivate relationships with key actors within government, potential partner organizations, multi-laterals, corporations, and others who are working in Central, East, and Southern Africa.
5. Coordinate with country programs to facilitate opportunities for funding, specifically unsolicited, in the region.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in business/program development for international organizations, with a preference for focus on conflict transformation and/or international development.
• Experience supporting proposal production, including writing narrative and coordinating input.
• Specific experience with a range of donors, including for USG (USAID and Department of State), European Commission, United Nations, and various European Member States is necessary.
• Demonstrated knowledge of various funding mechanisms and of donor rules and requirements.
• Experience designing projects which include the essentials of Monitoring & Evaluation.
• Experience in relevant region.
• Willingness to travel.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively to work with a diverse team, with attention to mentorship and professional development of staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience, with excellent benefits

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send cover letter and resume through our Application System. Please be sure to include salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary. No phone calls please. Please visit our web sitewww.sfcg.org for full details of our work.