Overall Purpose of the Job

HelpAge International (www.helpage.org) is the secretariat to the HelpAge Global Network, which brings together a wide range of organisations and individuals working to ensure that older people lead dignified, active, healthy and secure lives. HelpAge has been operating in Ethiopia since 1992 and engaged on thematic sectors including social protection, health and wellbeing, Humanitarian and capacity building of local partners. HelpAge is looking for a motivated program Manager for its program in Borena, Oromia.

 The Program Manager will manage HelpAge International Borena office and programs, providing leadership and management for quality delivery of programmatic activities, operations management, policy compliance, reporting and representation. The ideal candidate should have reasonable experience and a proven track-record of leading a technical team implementing Humanitarian programs in the context of drought and conflict triggered emergencies, as well as possessing excellent relationship, communications, planning, monitoring and teamwork skills.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS

Program Management

• Responsible for planning, overseeing quality implementation, monitoring and reporting of HelpAge’s programme in Borena with attention to program quality and ensure program activities/indicators are completed within the project period.

• Provide support to the Senior Management Team for strategic leadership of the Borena drought and IDP Response Program

• Actively work with field teams to manage constraints and trouble shoot problems as they arise.

• Ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with HelpAge’s and global humanitarian policies and guidelines, including Codes of Conduct, SPHERE and CHS principles and standards on accountability to the affected populations.

• Promote participatory approaches, in emergency programming to ensure inclusion of all most vulnerable groups including older people, children, women and Persons with disabilities throughout the project cycle and joint learning processes;

• Directly manage the technical officers for timely implementation and quality of interventions including technical oversight &and ensure activities are implemented geared to delivering successful project outcomes;

• Review/Assist in development of action plans and compare actual implementation to the planned activities including coordinate preparation of regular progress reports;

• Closely work with other humanitarian actors for the inclusion of older persons in their humanitarian response;

• Ensure the programmes conformity to core humanitarian standards and principles, regularly monitor project interventions and take corrective actions;

• Produce Monthly Management Report (MMR) for consumption by SMT members.

 Operations Management

• Demonstrate a good understanding of policies and procedures- Logistics, Finance and HR and ensure they are adhered to and implemented in a consistent manner

• Ensure the existence of solid operational management system, with a focus on logistics supply chain and sound financial budget management systems.

• Ensure timely completion of all logistics, financial and administrative matters in the field;

• Develop and implement security policies addressing local conditions in collaboration with the security focal person, Head of Humanitarian program and Country Director.

• Develop strict local vehicle safety policies and ensure that they are consistently implemented and followed.

• Ensure that proper channels of communication are maintained. Regularly consult with appropriate Addis Ababa-based staff on all matters of significance to administration, staffing, finance or program matters.

• Oversee the proper spending of all grants in line with donor regulations;

• Maintain regular meeting with the field team and adjust, as appropriate, the day to day implementation of the project/s. This includes, efficient relations and linkage among program and operations team;

• Maintain a regular telephone call with line supervisor and consult with relevant Addis based staff on all matters of significance to the field program;

 Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership; promote professional working relationships, and encourage staff members to manage their specific interventions within goals and budget;

• Play a leadership role and foster a positive working environment and ensure mutual support within the team and contribute to team building;

• Manage the performance of subordinates, build their capacity through coaching and exercising exemplary management and leadership practice;

• Monitor the security situation and update and implement HelpAge security policies and procedures;

• Review and ensure compliance with security plans and guidelines in collaboration with Head of Operations and CD;

• Monitor the proper usage of IT and communication facilities.

 Representation and Networking:

• Act as HelpAge point person in Borena, develop and maintain excellent relationship with key stakeholders in the field location, including the local government.

• Represent HelpAge in Borena coordination and cluster meetings and ensure that technical officers take part in thematic external coordination forum and influence inclusion of older people in the program.

• Ensure referral linkages are properly developed for protection risks and implemented with relevant and mandated humanitarian actors and build alliance with protection focussed organizations.

• Strong understanding of political, security and humanitarian issues in the area of operations and provide leadership support as they arise.

• Assist HelpAge-Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa staff in facilitating donor visits and assessments.

• Exercise the essence of transparent and supportive partnership with Government administration and NGOs in the area;

 Human Resource Management:

• Follow the standard procedures for new position posting, interviewing and applicant selection.

• Participate in selection of new staff including: interviewing, skills assessment, field orientation and security briefings.

• Provide leadership; promote professional working relationships and encourage staff members to manage their programs within goals and budget.

• Conduct review of all staff including review of key responsibilities, overall performance and recommendations for improvement as well as future training.

• Ensure HelpAge-Ethiopia’s National Staff Personnel Policies are consistently implemented and followed.

• Ensure mutual support within the team and contribute to teambuilding.

Learning and documentation

• Ensure that older people and person with special need data, project beneficiary SADD data are properly generated, organized, documented and shared;

• Promote organisational learning by ensuring timely and quality project reports and updates are organised and sharing with HelpAge and humanitarian community;

• Support staff capacity building in field story gathering and communications related to the project implementations, older people situation at community level.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Preventing harm and abuse from our people, operations and programmes to anyone that encounters our work.

• Reporting all safeguarding incidents, you see, hear, hear about or suspect, using our internal reporting mechanism and complying with all safeguarding framework policies and practices.

Contract Length: One year with possibility of extension

Responsible to: Head of Humanitarian Program and matrix with Country Director

Duty Station:  Mega

Responsible for: Directly Manage sector specialists (WaSH, Protection/Inclusion, Health and Nutrition and Operations Officer)

Key Relationships:           

• Internal: Addis; Humanitarian Programme team; Communications Officer; Finance Manager, Head of Finance and operation and Country Director

• External: Liaison with Government sector offices at Zone and Woreda offices and collaborate with NGOs operational in the area.

Job Requirements

Person Specifications

Educational background:

• Master or MSC/ BA degree in Social Studies, Development, Business Administration, Management, Economics, Programme Management or other related fields and at least 5 years of experience for MA/MSC or BSC degree with 7 years’ experience.

Essential Experience and Skills:

• 2-3 years’ experience in supervisory/staff management roles and programme management, preferable in INGOs;

• Experience of developing collaborative partnerships with other organizations;

• good understanding of budget development and management;

• strong communication, negotiation & representational skills;

• Experience in working with and through local partners;

• Proficient in computer applications (word, spreadsheet, power points, Office 365 etc.).

Behavioral Competencies:

• Team work skill

• Ability to coordinate and mentor staff under his/ her responsibility

• Result oriented

• Resilient under stressful environment

• Good analytical skill

• Self-managed, committed, knowledgeable and confident.

How to Apply

Fill out the Application form through this LINK and Send your Application with CV & 2 referees, including your most recent line manager via email: hr.eth@helpage.org

Note: Indicate the vacancy reference No. and the post you are applying in the subject line of your mail.