Job Purpose

The Programme Director is responsible for providing leadership of Concern Worldwide’s development programme in Ethiopia.  As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) s/he will contribute to the management of the country programme with specific responsibility for managing and coordinating development programme, program quality and the delivery of results in relation to Concern Ethiopia’s country strategic plan and programme strategies.

 Main duties & Responsibilities:

Senior Management:

• Assist the CD in the management of the country programme (CP) through close and consistent involvement in the decision making processes at the highest level
• Participate actively as a member of the SMT and the wider country management team
• Overall responsibility for the Food Security, Livelihoods and Education programmes, monitoring, evaluation and learning, Grants & business development, in close collaboration with the CD
• Contribute to the elaboration and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) Within the relevant sectors, ensure that all programmes are planned, designed, managed and implemented effectively and efficiently in conformity with Concern’s policies, strategies, programme frameworks and CSP

 Institutional Fundraising:

• Based on the Country Strategic Plan, support the CD, PD Emergency and the Grants unit to develop and implement a business development plan for the country programme
• Liaise with main institutional donors in-country with the support of the Concern Worldwide Business Development Unit
• Coordinate and lead on the development and elaboration of programme proposals for donors
• Researching and analyzing donor funding priorities as well as keeping informed on available funding opportunities in the various sectors and geographical areas of Concern’s programming in Ethiopia.
• Formulation of short, medium and long term funding strategy for programmes in consultation with the Senior Management Team and headquarters.
• Ensuring submission of high quality proposals to meet the funding requirements of development programmes

Programme Management

• Ensure that all programme implementation is guided by result based management principles and have effective planning and implementation review processes in place.
• Line manage programme managers ensuring performance objectives are aligned to programme delivery.
• Lead on resource planning for development programmes including assisting in HR planning, recruitment and staff development.
• Coordinate the programme activities across programmes, sectors and approaches; coaching staff and ensuring complementary approaches.
• Manage budgets and resources in line with organisational procedures; this includes, preparation of programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff and tracking programme expenditure through monthly management and quarterly financial review.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Ensure programme M&E system is in line with organizational guidelines and programme design.
• Provide management oversight for the Concern M&E function in Ethiopia.
• Undertake regular monitoring visits to programme areas and provide feedback to programme staff and management.
• Lead on the attainment of Strategic Objective 4. Implement Learning Working Groups. Identify areas of learning and good practice, sharing with internal and external stakeholders.

Donor and Grant Management

• Track programme implementation progress, programme context and provide regular updates to Country Director and SMT.
• Coordinate with programme managers, finance and support departments to ensure timely grant utilization and compliance with donor requirements.
• Develop an annual reporting calendar for development programmes and lead in ensuring that good quality reports are submitted in line with donor requirements.

Financial Management

• With the Programme Coordinator, review the budget monitoring tool (BMT) on a monthly basis, advise on corrective action relating to underspends and overspend and ensure that accurate forecasting is completed by the PC advise the CD and the finance department of any variances and recommend solutions
• Mentor and assist budget holders in the development of accurate budgets during project proposal development
• Ensure that detailed programme budgets and budget revisions are prepared and submitted by the Programme Coordinator in a timely manner
• Ensure that PCs identify and notify SMT when a cost and a no cost extension is required for any programme and that appropriate timely action is undertaken
• Report any suspected and actual financial irregularities or other fraud that has occurred to the Country
• Accountant and CD and recommend solutions to the identified irregularities
• Comply with authorization levels for expenditure and ensure that all programme staff do likewise

HR

• In collaboration with the HR department and by coaching, mentoring and supporting the PCs the PD will: 
• Ensure sufficient human resources for the relevant programmes to meet their objectives
• Work with directly reporting staff by coaching, training and mentoring to ensure development of their management skills
• Monitor performance based on agreed job descriptions and ensure compliance with agreed objectives and all Concern policies
• Ensure the effective implementation of the performance development system within the relevant programme teams
• When necessary, assist with the recruitment, management of disciplinary and grievances issues and the dismissal of staff

Security:  

• In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, monitor and if necessary report on security issues to the Security Focal Person
• Ensure programme staff awareness and adherence to the Country Security Management Plan and in conjunction with the PCs, identify security training needs as they arise

Systems:

• Ensure the development and timely implementation and review of procurement plans for all grants
• Ensure strong communication takes place between programmes teams and the systems department
• Ensure that all programme teams are compliant with Concern and donor procurement policies and procedures
• In conjunction with the systems director where necessary, monitor and authorize contracts prepared with contractors
• In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, ensure that all goods, services and money are procured using the correct documentation and codes and if necessary ensure training from the relevant systems support department
• In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, monitor the storage, distribution and use of all goods allocated to the programme and ensure that any variances are reported to the Logs Manager or the Systems Director as appropriate

Accountability and Protection

• Ensure that Concern Ethiopia complies with the Core Humanitarian Standards as per Concern’s CHS certification and oversee the review and implementation of an annual CHS action plan
• Ensure that robust complaints response mechanisms are in place in all programmes and that they are developed and implemented with strong community level engagement 

Emergency response    

• Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the Ethiopia Programme is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

Gender Equity 

• As the SMT lead for gender equality, lead on the effective implementation of the gender equality strategy and the CSP gender equality goal and develop an accompanying action plan with indicators
• Submit a gender equality progress report to SMT on a quarterly basis
• Liaise with SAL Equality Advisor and ensure sufficient technical support for Concern Ethiopia
• Ensure that gender equality is successfully mainstreamed into all programmes from design to evaluation stage
• Ensure that all proposals include a strong gender sensitive programme design and that all reports provide quality progress information on gender mainstreaming 
• Ensure that gender mainstreaming is adequately budgeted for in all proposal developments

Job Requirements

Essentials:

• Relevant Third level qualification (agriculture, social science, anthropology, gender studies, public health, nutrition, rural development etc.)
• Masters in relevant discipline

Experience:

• ten or more years’ experience working with an international NGO. 
• Management and motivation of multi-sectoral teams engaged in complex operational environments
• A good track record in management/leadership
• Proven track record in proposal and report writing
• Relevant Experience in humanitarian response programs at management level
• Relevant experience in integrated development programming at management level
• Strong budget management experience

Competencies:

Desirable:

• Overseas experience
• Knowledge of development issues & concepts
• Experience of working in an insecure environment

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• A strong commitment and understanding of the need to advance gender equality at the organizational level and within Concern’s programmes is essential for this role, as is the ability to act as a Gender Champion and lead in the implementation of organizational goals relating to gender equality
• Empathy with organizational goals
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility, adaptability, and patience with facilitation and interpersonal skills
• Ability to surface and analyze problems and recommend solutions
• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines
• Methodical and thorough in approach
• Training, coaching and mentoring skills and ability to motivate and develop skills of others
• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences

What we offer 

• A competitive salary and benefit package
• Excellent medical benefits (100% cover including dependents)
• 20 days annual leave
• 26 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 18 weeks (unpaid) parental leave
• GPA & life insurance cover

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send non-returnable CV. and application letter outlining how their experience and education fit this vacancy, CV’s should not be longer than 4 pages

please note that no need to submit your supporting documents at this stage:

 Send your application to: www.ethiojobs.net

Only short listed candidates will be contacted

This is a national position. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Ethiopia at the time of application

Duration of Contract: 2 years with high possibility of extension

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.