Senior Program Manager

Country:              Ethiopia  

Work Base:            Tigray - Mekele

Availability:    As soon as possible  

Number of Posts   1 (One)  

Salary Scale:      EMS09 USD 1,407 and 20% of Transport Allowance.    

 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position   

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.

Essential Roles 

I. 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

II. 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.

         Safeguarding statement:

• Action Against Hunger (ACF-USA)  is committed to safeguarding and protecting the people we come into conduct with, and we expect the same from job applicants. Action Against Hunger (ACF-USA) has ZERO TOLERANCE towards all forms of harm and abuse. We take concerns and complaints relating to Safeguarding involving our Staff, Associated Personnel, Partners, and Suppliers very seriously and will take action to vigorously investigate and manage any violations or alleged violations of this Policy. ACF-USA is committed to safeguarding the children and adults at risk ,we support and doesn’t tolerate any form of abuse, exploitation, and exposure to harm. Because we want to prevent and deter any actions that place children and adults at risk, conduct references are an important part of our recruitment procedure and processes. As part of the selection process, ACF-USA will request standardized references in accordance with the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and a recent Criminal Records statement.

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

 Qualifications & Experience

• 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.

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 and Tigrigna) are desirable.

• Commitment to ACF’s mission and principles.

How To Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

If you are interested, please send your application composed of non-returnable CV, a cover letter with “Senior Program Manager – Tigray - Mekele written in the subject line, and three references, through THIS LINK

Closing date: 25 May 2025

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be communicated, and the selection process includes a technical test and an interview.