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.
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.
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
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
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. Safeguarding Commitments
VII. Fiscal Responsibility
Work with the Program Coordinators, and relevant staff to enhance program staff’s capacity in effectively using budget tracking and other project management tools.
Coordinate technical team inputs for project/budget amendments. Provide direct inputs when necessary. Collaborate with Finance for budget recording as required.
VIII. Physical Demands
IX. 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
X. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in public health, Nutrition, Health Policy, Health Service Management, Medicine (MD) with at least 7 years if relevant work experience OR
Master’s degree in the similar discipline with 5 years relevant experience; out of which 2 to 3 years managerial and technical leadership track record during the work tenure
Working in health and nutrition programmes including in a humanitarian context, out of which 2 years managing a multi-sectoral team.
Preference to those managing integrated health and livelihood programmes.
Previous experience of providing technical support to Health and Nutrition in the areas of child and maternal health, IYCF-E, IMAM/CMAM, and Micronutrients.
Proven ability of mentoring, coaching and training on health and nutrition subjects as well as nutrition sensitive and specific program delivery team to improve nutrition and health outcomes
Experience of senior level representation
Experience of developing and negotiating successful partnerships and advocacy
Ability to write clear and well-argued assessments, project reports, and proposals
Excellent communication skills, politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level.
A high level of written and spoken English
The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
Can work well in stressful situations; able to manage multiple competing tasks, prioritize deliverables and meet reasonable deadlines
XI. 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:
Deadline: Friday 06- June - 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, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment
