Africa Regional Program Director at Relief International (RI)

Position Summary: Relief International (RI) seeks a Regional Program Director (RPD) for its programs in Africa with regular travel to regional country offices. Under the leadership of the Regional Director, the RPD has five main tasks:

1. Support, monitor and ensure the quality implementation of the projects in the region;
2. Ensure the grant management function for Africa;
3. Play a substantial role in promoting the RI way and strengthening Accountability to Communities Frameworks;
4. Help strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning systems; and
5. Represent RI with the donors and other partners supporting the region.

The Regional Program Director will have significant management and international experience, a passion for humanitarian relief and development work, and be capable of successfully guiding and supporting program teams in the region.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Project Cycle Management
  • Help country teams in their efforts to implement RI country, region and global strategy in particular in the design of new programs and technical capacity building of teams.
  • Support country teams for the development, implementation and analysis of needs assessment tools and surveys and the preparation of related reports.
  • Carry out the timely project mobilization for all new projects in the region, involving country Program, regional and GSO relevant departments.
  • Participate in international program personnel recruitment and on-boarding; performance evaluation of international personnel; grievance management; international deployments and repatriations.
  • Carry out bi-annual project follow-up coordination meetings for projects that are longer than 6 months.
  • Undertake multi-faceted strategy to promote elements of the RI way in our programmes
  • Support and ensure that the programme teams develop and follow project management tools such as action plan, budget projections, procurement plans, M&E plans.
  • Ensure appropriate Monitoring and Evaluation activities are carried out regularly (including data collection & analysis, monitoring of project progress against established work plans, monitoring of established indicators and utilization of results to inform program design).
  • Closely monitor, review and analyze monthly budget vs. actual expenditure reports, and make recommendations on the basis of these and ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely fashion.
  • Review and approve country Request For Funds (RFF) and ensure that they accurately match with programmatic requirements.
  • For each project, design and monitor with the country team, project progress tools.
  • Ensure that program implementation complies with RI and donor policies for projects.
  • Assist country offices in drafting and finalizing agreements such as MOUs, registrations, etc.
  • Act as liaison and Point of Contact between program teams and relevant internal departments such as finance and operations.
  • Conduct regular field visits to provide support, monitoring, capacity building as per program needs.
  • Provide content and updates for websites and communication materials relating to programming.
  • Carry out the timely project close-out for all closing projects in the region, involving country Program, regional and GSO relevant departments.
  • Prepare regular updates on programs implementation and alert the Regional Director of any issues arising.
• Grant Management
  • Be responsible for the timely submission of proposals, reports, fund requests and amendments.
  • Contribute substantially to reporting and ensure that all donor report submissions are fully compliant with donor regulations and of the highest quality.
  • In close coordination with the Regional Director, conduct regular meetings with Country Directors and senior field staff for follow up of programming and operations.
  • Ensure that soft copies of all program and grant related documents are archived and easily accessible.
• Program Development
  • Take a pro-active role in identifying new programme opportunities in collaboration with Africa RD and Country CDs and PD Department.
  • Attend meetings with potential donors to represent RI.
  • Consult with peer and UN agencies on international standards with regard to programme design and implementation.
  • Work with relevant staff to develop high quality concept notes.
  • Support and participate in the completion of funding proposals that meet RI program quality standards and donor priorities.
  • Assist in marketing proposals to appropriate donors.
  • Provide technical proposal review for the Africa region.
  • Contribute to and upon request of the RD lead the final negotiations with donors in particular those based in the US.
  • Participate in planning and implementing programme development assessments for new opportunities and in new countries.
  • Contribute to the integration of programme activities to create coherent, quality and complimentary programming.
  • Provide regular updates on program development activities to the RD.
• Representation
  • Represent RI in meetings such as Interaction, and other relevant meetings with implementing agencies and partner organizations.
  • Participate actively to relevant conferences and events related to Africa or one of the countries where RI has programs.
  • Act as focal point between RI and US-based donor agencies.
  • Regularly and actively organize meetings with donor representatives which are based in Washington DC and the US.
  • Facilitate the interaction and regular meeting (on-line or in person) between US-based donor representatives and country/program teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Public Health, or related field preferred.
• At least 10-year experience in implementing multi-sector humanitarian relief or development projects in RI’s countries/regions of operations.
• At least 5-year experience developing and implementing operations and administrative management activities for an INGO.
• Excellent spoken and written English is required.
• Strong leadership and teambuilding skills, staff management and capacity building experience.
• Highly organized and systems-oriented.
• Knowledge of donor guideline requirements (e.g. USAID, UN, DFID, ECHO EuropeAid)
• Experience in proposal writing and programme development activities.
• Experience of external relation, networking and representation in particular with donors.
• Field experience with an INGO working on program implementation.

RI Values:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and accountability
• Agility and innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability