About the Position 

Dexis Consulting Group (Dexis) is seeking a Program Manager (PM) to support a project with USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) in Ethiopia. This is a three-year contract with two optional years to support activities that aims to build an enabling environment for inclusive and peaceful national consensus processes by strengthening intra- and inter-group relationships and actions, advancing inclusive and constructive public discourse, mitigating mis/disinformation and hate speech, and responding rapidly in the wake of violent conflict. Dexis is USAID/OTI’s implementing partner in providing this assistance. 

The PM will work closely with and report to the Chief of Party (COP) to oversee activity identification and development and provide technical oversight throughout activity implementation in the national Grants Management Unit (GMU). The role will oversee the Addis-based GMU including Senior Program Development Officer (SPDO), Program Development Officers (PDOs) and Grants Managers (GMs). The PM will be responsible for facilitating the learning feedback loop, ensuring close cooperation with ESP’s MEAL and research teams. The PM will serve as a member of the program’s Senior Management Team (SMT) and will work closely with the COP and wider SMT to support the development of the program’s Program Performance Management processes, including Rolling Assessments, SRSs, and deliverables such as semi-annual and bi-weekly reports, and other requests that may come from either USAID/OTI or Dexis. The PM, as requested by the COP, will also represent the program before a range of audiences and in a variety of platforms, at the national, state and regional levels. The PM will ensure all actions and interventions adhere to USAID/OTI and Dexis technical guidance and align with global best practices, including the training of staff as required. Finally, the PM will also keep the COP regularly informed on all program matters affecting the national GMU, and assist the COP in meeting various technical, governmental, company, and USAID/OTI deliverables as requested.

 This is a full-time position based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with an immediate start date.  

Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership

Supervises: GMU, SPDOs, and PDOs

• In close coordination with the SPDO, manage strategy development processes for the national GMU including facilitating continuing contextual analysis of the political context and the adaptation of the national portfolio in response; providing oversight of and guidance to the processes of regional engagement plan (REP) development; supporting engagement by the national GMU in internal and external forums to broaden understanding of the context and/or enhance the understanding of the impact of OTI’s work;   
• Draft, edit, and make material contributions to the program document, the regional engagement plan for the national portfolio, any PowerPoint presentations, reports, studies, papers, survey instruments, and other operational and MEL-related documentation relevant to the national portfolio, as required;
• Ensure information-sharing within the national GMU and between other GMUs on programmatic lessons learned from grant implementation;
• Maintain rigorous focus on the achievement of the program’s results.

 Activity Cycle Management

•  Overseeing and managing the national GMU (SPDO, PDOs, GMs) ensure that established procedures are complied with for activity development, activity worthiness, activity implementation, management, monitoring, evaluation, and closing on the national portfolio of grants;
• Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with Dexis and USAID regulations and procedures. This will include monitoring grantee worthiness, ensuring that all procurement processes are perceived as transparent by beneficiary communities, ensuring fair and transparent processes, review of financial management, and monitoring activity implementation;
• Maintain responsibility for reviewing “Green Light” packages, closeout packages, weekly grants financial management, and troubleshooting grants mechanics as they arise.
• Conduct field visits to monitor activity implementation progress, outcomes, and challenges;
• Working closely with SPDO, PDOs, the GMs, and DCOP Operations, oversee the development, design, implementation, and closeout of all small grant activities in the national portfolio. This includes:
• Support activity development during the YL process providing mentorship to (S)PDOs and carrying out technical reviews of activities developed, including initial review of the Purpose Tab, implementation plan, and objectives. Ensure the timeliness of activity development per ESP’s agreed upon timelines.
• Take responsibility for any STTA required in support of the portfolio, including drafting SoWs, supporting the recruitment and selection of STTA consultants, scheduling and mobilization, field implementation, and review and acceptance of work/deliverables completed.
• Support implementation of Direct Distribution of Goods and Services activities in     coordination with the national procurement, logistics, finance, and HR teams, including providing input for vendor scopes, monitoring implementation, and overseeing delivery of goods and services.
• Oversee the close out process, ensuring each member of the GMU understands and performs their role in close out, and making sure contractual deadlines are met. Ensure the timeliness of activity closeout per ESP’s agreed upon timelines.

 Program Performance Management (PPM), reporting and representation

•  Under the direction of the Chief of Party, participate in the development and implementation of the program’s Rolling Assessments, SRSs, bi-weekly, and semi-annual reports, and other requests that may come in from USAID/OTI and Dexis.
• Work with the Chief of Party and Regional Program Managers (RPMs) on the management, implementation, and coordination of all events, technical forums, conferences, and roundtables.
• Represent ESP and Dexis in meetings with the private and public sector stakeholders as requested by the COP.
• Work closely with other senior managers to ensure that the program consistently employs the values of Dexis, ensures the highest ethical standards, emphasizes the importance of communication and teamwork, promotes collaboration with other donor-funded projects and activities, adheres to USAID/OTI and Dexis technical guidance, and directly contributes to the attainment of the program’s contractual deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned on an ad hoc basis by the COP

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements: 

• Master’s degree, or higher, in international relations, development or related fields.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant, progressively responsible management experience, including at least two (2) years of direct supervisory experience.
• Two (2) years of experience managing USAID programs.
• Demonstrated experience and a proven track record of implementing and/or managing small grants focused on transitional governance, conflict, and mitigation activities.
• A combination of technical familiarity and management skills that span the subject areas covered by the program (i.e. political dialogue, intergroup relations, conflict mitigation).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred Requirements: 

• Knowledge of Amharic and/or other local language(s).
• USAID/OTI project implementation experience.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now!

Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.

Deadline of application: Friday May 27,2022 before CoB. 

How to apply: Interested and qualified applicant can apply through CLICK HERE