Senior Program Manager 

Country Office: Ethiopia 

Work Base: [Waghimra] 

Availability: As Soon As Possible 

 Salary Scale: EMS–09 

 Insurance - (Life, Group Personal Accident and Medical Insurances are covered upon the organization policies). 

Seniority Allowance – paid depending up the years of service. 

 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position. 

 About Action Against Hunger 

Action Against Hunger-USA is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children and we enable entire communities to be free from hunger. With more than 8,000 staff in over 50 countries, our programs reached 17 million people in 2019. 

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience. Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, and others. 

Summary of Position 

The Senior Program Manager leads integrated health, nutrition, WASH, and food security and livelihood projects in ACF operational bases. Reporting to the Field Coordinator, the role ensures high-quality program delivery, compliance with donor regulations, and capacity building for program coordinators and partners. The position involves representing ACF at coordination platforms, maintaining professional integrity, and fostering relationships with stakeholders.

Purpose 

• S/he will closely monitors contextual situation, needs, gaps, and analyses program data to contribute to project proposal for new business development opportunities that can improve the service delivery quality, access and coverage of essential lifesaving services in host community operational areas.

• Provides technical support and supervision to the nutrition, WASH and FSL team on the effective, at scale and timely implementation. S/he provides analyses the implementation modalities to improve the quality of service delivery in the intervention areas where Action Against Hunger operates.

Engagement: 

• Collaborates with the Action Against Hunger staff and partners such as RHB, RDRMC, UN agencies and humanitarian actors at base level to amplify our work in tackling acute malnutrition as well as building synergies with other sectors to promote a multispectral approach to address underlying causes of undernutrition. Engages with nutrition, WASH and FSL-related working groups within the region and represents Action Against Hunger’s program efforts externally. Ensures Gender and Protection are also mainstreamed effectively across sectors.

Delivery

• Leads/monitor the day-to-day activities in the intervention areas, provides technical oversight to the intervention sites nutrition and health, WASH and FSL response, undertakes regular supportive supervision to the team, ensures program delivery and data quality in accordance with the existing procedures, standards, MEAL system. S/he further aims to meet the quality standard of reports that are related to Action Against Hunger, donors and other stakeholders. Supports the operational coordination at various levels, and ensures the beneficiaries have got the right services.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Planning and Management

• Develop and oversee implementation plans, budgets, HR, and procurement for new and ongoing awards in coordination with Capital Technical Team and the Flied Coordinator

• Conduct context and needs assessments to inform program design and ensure interventions are context-appropriate.

• Ensure program adherence to the organization policies, child safeguarding, confidentiality, and quality standards.

• Maintain administrative and programmatic documentation in compliance with donor requirements, coordinating with the Field Coordinators  address any programmatic adjustments.

• Support logistical needs and regular planning for efficient implementation

Technical Supervision and Quality Assurance

• Ensure quality implementation of nutrition, health, WASH, and food security interventions.

• Provide mentoring and coaching to field teams, ensuring adherence to protocols.

• Strengthen referral systems for malnutrition and medical cases.

• Identify training needs and organize capacity-building sessions.

• Promote integration with other sectors like protection and gender.

• Ensure the availability and proper utilization of standard manuals, guidelines and SOPs at each health facility for ease of reference and harmonized service delivery approach. 

• Inspire and motivate team to achieve and maintain desirable program performance outcomes as per the SPHERE standard and national guidelines.

• Identify and propose the development of new innovative programs and projects in collaboration with Program Development and Quality Director and HODs at Capital Level.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Prepare quality grant reports (Narrative and Qualitative), including APR narrative and quantitative reports, both for internal and external purposes in line with agreed timeframes and standards. 

• Ensure that project staff are adhering to the standard reporting and recording system of Action Against Hunger. 

• Collaborate with MEAL teams to implement data collection and quality assurance processes.

• Prepare grant reports (narrative and quantitative) in line with donor requirements.  

• Lead programmatic surveys (e.g., SMART surveys) and document lessons learned.

Human Resource Management and staff development

• Mentor and develop program coordination teams through training and on-the-job support.

• Conduct performance reviews and support recruitment processes.

• Address staff disciplinary issues in collaboration with HR.

Representation and Coordination

• Act as the liaison with local stakeholders, INGOs, and NGO actors, facilitating collaboration and information sharing when needed in consultation with the technical advisors and field management. 

• Represent the organization at coordination meetings, adhering to organizational standards and the Field Coordinator guidance on representation.

• Engage in field and technical advisors, presenting program achievements and addressing challenges in coordination with the Field Coordinator

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise health, nutrition, WASH, and food security and resilience program coordinators.

IV. Key Relationships

Internal

• Collaborate with senior leadership, finance, operations, and MEAL teams.

• Coordinate with advocacy and HR departments for program alignment and staff development.

External

• Engage with implementing partners, NGOs, and community-based organizations.

• Participate in clusters and technical working groups.

V. Gender Equality Commitments

• Promote gender equality in access to information and opportunities.

• Ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all stakeholders.

• Prevent abuse, including workplace harassment and sexual exploitation.

VI. Fiscal Responsibility

• Ensure timely budget utilization and compliance with donor requirements.

• Monitor expenditures and provide guidance on resource efficiency.

VII. Physical Demands

• Frequent field visits and office-based reporting.

• Ability to work under stress and meet tight deadlines.

VIII. Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• Regular attendance in ACF operational areas, with potential weekend work.

• Travel required, including to high-security and basic living conditions.

Job Requirements

IX. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, or related field with 5+ years of experience, or Bachelor’s degree nursing or public health or MD  with 7+ years of experience

• Experience managing donor-funded projects (USAID, ECHO, UNICEF, etc.), Knowledge of national and global nutrition/health policies.

• Experience in INGOs is preferred.

X. Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong program management and team leadership skills.

• Proficiency in MS Office and statistical software (Epi Info, SPSS).

• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

• Fluency in English and local language skills (e.g., Amharic) are desirable.

• Commitment to ACF’s mission and principles.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please send your application composed of nonreturnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Senior Pogram Manager -Amhara” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following addresses:

Through THIS LINK

Deadline: Wednesday 26- February - 2025

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an _attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, thmarital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment