Hello Hello! Alight is recruiting an Area Manager to be based in Semera, Afar Regional office. You’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here!

If you join us, you will find…

A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.

A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.

Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee) is an international non-profit organization with its headquarters located in the United States. Alight has provided humanitarian assistance to millions of beneficiaries in 29 countries over the past 40 years, currently reaching over 10 million refugees, IDPs, and disaster-affected communities in 17 countries around the world, helping people regain control of their lives after conflict and natural disasters. Alight maintains full-fledged humanitarian programs in Africa, Asia, and Americas.

The overall objective of ALIGHT Ethiopia program is to provide  multisectoral life-saving assistance to the IDPs, drought  and conflict affected regions through Protection (CP and GBV), WASH, Livelihood, Health and Nutrition interventions; enable them respond to recurring emergencies, help them build resiliency of communities through strengthening of existing social services such as health, water facilities/structures and support creation of durable solutions for IDPs and conflict affected communities through a set of integrated activities.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, and in collaboration with Sector Technical Coordinators, the Area Manager is responsible for managing all Alight Afar Program activities. The Area Manager contributes to and leads in the management of Program and operations in the region. S/he is responsible for high quality, effective and accountable program design, and delivery.

MAJOR/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

AREA PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• In collaboration with Program Coordinator and technical teams, the Area manager will lead need assessments, development of Concept Notes, and local resource mobilization for the region.

• S/he will also contribute to resource mobilization, development of Concept Notes, proposals, annual response plans, Fund raising strategy, strategic Plans, etc. of Alight Ethiopia Country Program.

• Support program teams and the Grants Officer in coordinating and writing new project proposals.

AREA PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The Area Manager is responsible for coordinating and overseeing projects/program implementation. In line with local laws, donor requirements, and Alight policies (ensuring adherence to logistic, human resources, administration, and security procedures), as well as providing operational support to the programs.

• Facilitate and support PMs in the implementation of projects and monitoring of activities implemented, in coordination with the Program Coordinators and with the assistance of technical advisors and operational support staff.

• Ensure that partnership projects and reports are delivered according to Alight and donor contractual requirements, within the agreed timescale and budget in collaboration with the sector Coordinators.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

• In coordination with the Deputy Directors, take overall responsibility for managing the offices, the guesthouse, and the warehouse, ensuring efficient application of Alight’s policies, procedures, and administrative systems.

• Ensure that existing schemes of delegation, finance guidelines and related administrative procedures are adhered to and that grant finances are kept in a good state.

• Ensure proper archiving of the relevant documentation, implementing Alight archiving methodology in coordination with the Country Representatives.

LOGISTICS, SUPPLY CHAIN AND ICT SUPPORT
Coordinating the Logistic activities in support to all field activities, in coordination with the Logistics Manager.

Ensuring:

• efficient application of Logistic policies, procedures, tools, and systems at area level.

COORDINATION AND REPRESENTATION

The Area Manager represents the organization at the local and regional level. The role includes:

• Represent ALIGHT in general meetings, including with humanitarian actors, local authorities, protocol meetings, security meetings, as well as sector program meetings in coordination with the Program Coordinators and the Project Managers.

SECURITY MANAGEMENT

In cooperation with the Security Focal Point, the Area Manager ensures that optimal security management procedures and practices are in place. The role includes:

• Ensure that appropriate and timely measures are put in place to reduce risks and threats to ALIGHT staff, assets, operation, and beneficiaries.

• Ensure that security incidents are duly reported, and information is effectively collected and exchanged with staff and other organizations.

• Comply with all relevant ALIGHT policies and procedures with respect to health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies.

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties assigned by supervisor within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Ensure that directly managed staff have clearly defined objectives, understand their responsibilities, and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.

• For non-line managed staff, provide support, and advise in supervision, guidance, coordination, and monitoring for project technical staff, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities and encouraging effective teamwork.

Job Requirements

• At least 6 years experience and a master's degree desirably management, in International Development, Development Studies, Project planning and management, Sociology, Community Development, Economics, or related fields.

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in similar managerial role, particularly, with, proven experience of Program & Area management is required.

• S/he is expected to be technically competent in and contribute to program development and management.

• Experience with complex/protracted emergencies, refugee/internal displacement settings is desirable.

• Knowledge of, and familiarity with and experience in the region of assignment.

• Senior management experience and/or community development; previous experience in area management within Ethiopia is an added advantage.

• Skilled in, and committed to, community participation/interaction, field visits and presence in program areas.

• Practical experience managing staff and programs in insecure locations.

• Proven experience in research, Project/program planning, monitoring and Evaluation, or consultancy on related fields.

• Experience working in conflict and post conflict contexts is essential, experience working in Ethiopia and specifically, in current Alight program regions.

• Flexibility and willingness to work early mornings / late nights as required.

• Computer proficiency in use of standard MS Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Proven commitment to humanitarian and accountability principals and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems.

• Fluency in English, and Amharic, and local language.

Key Behaviors and Abilities:

• Good communicator with proven diplomacy who has the ability and willingness to engage with all levels of staff and all types of stakeholders.

• Should have good documentation and dissemination / presentation skills.

• Should be able to live, work and travel in an insecure environment, always following strict security guidelines.

• Proven capacity to work in a quickly moving, unstable situation and work against targeted outputs with tight time frames and deadlines.

• High level of confidentiality and integrity.

• Experience of working under high pressure, in fast-paced environments.

• Strong service orientation with the ability to proactively approach staff to understand their needs and to find effective solutions.

Plus

• Gender-sensitive

• Understanding of and commitment to the “Humanitarian principles”

• Understanding of and commitment to Alight code of conduct and organizational goals

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can send motivation/cover letter and updated Resume (not more than 3 pages) to etjobs@wearealight.org before July 31, 2023, COB.

Note

• Please, indicate the position/title applied for in your cover letter and subject of the email.

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Only qualified applicants will be short listed and contacted.

• Open to Ethiopian nationals ONLY.

“FEMALE APPLICANTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”