Sr Programs Officer, Africa

ABOUT US:

IsraAID is an international not-for-profit NGO founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel with country offices in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific. Our mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crisis around the world and are committed to providing life-saving disaster relief and long-term support in partnership with local communities. For over a decade, our teams of professional medics, search & rescue squads, post-trauma experts and community mobilizers, have been first on the front lines of nearly every major humanitarian response in the 21st century. From its HQ in Tel Aviv, the office offers support through the Regional Desks to all IsraAID programs, development, and emergency around the world. The Africa portfolio currently comprise country offices in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Uganda. The Senior Programme Officer is a senior position and will work closely with the Country Directors in these Country Offices and missions in Africa under the Regional Director.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director, and in support of the functions of the Africa Regional Desk, the Senior Program Officer will be responsible for providing support to the Regional Director in coordinating and managing the implementation of programs and initiatives within the IsraAID Country Offices in Africa. The position will work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of these programs run smoothly and effectively. The position would, as the situation demands, oversee multiple projects at once, each with its own set of goals, objectives, and deadlines. The position holder is also expected to support the Country Directors to implement new ideas and engage with donors as necessary.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Remote working or office based in Nairobi with frequent travel to IsraAID's humanitarian missions in Africa (Mozambique, SSD, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda).
• Travel required: Up to 50%.
• Available and on call to serve as part of emergency and crisis response team.

**As this is a growing position, the position may develop and evolve over time

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. In collaboration with the line manager, articulate the development and assist in the implementation of an Africa Regional Strategy.
2. Support line manager in representation within AFRICA networks, platforms, and regional clusters
3. Through the guidance of the Regional Director, provide coordination and an oversight role of operations and programs in countries of operations within the Region.
4. Assist in the design of cross-/regional level programs.
5. Support the design, facilitation, and coordination of annual regional seminars and peer-learning activities.
6. Assist the Regional Director in the mapping of regional forums and engagement with partners of interest.
7. Support Country Directors in any activities and initiatives they are leading.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Program/Portfolio Management

1. Backstop the daily operations of the Region to ensure continuance through appropriate response to context changes, mission, program, and beneficiary needs, donor positioning, lessons learned, and best practices.
2. Ensure the field teams are duly informed and timely complete and submit internal/external reports (donors, annual, quarterly, special, and other) and their flow within IsraAID including review, analysis, and compliance with deadlines in coordination with Development Department
3. Review program reports, budgets, and pipelines to ensure accurate representation in reporting and internal documentation.
4. Act as liaison for the country programs with IsraAID internal departments at the direction of the Regional Director
5. Support Regional Director oversight of country programs by initiating and facilitating program calls and pipeline calls with the country teams, finance department, and HQ teams.
6. Maintain open lines of communication with field staff ensuring that country programs are properly briefed on changes in the HQ at the direction of the regional director.
7. Transmit internal approval requests (e.g., training requests, disposition of assets, pipeline submission schedule, and deadline)
8. Assist in a new program (including exploratory missions/assessments) and closeout, as appropriate.
9. Support program design and development by working as a liaison between the Regional Director, sector specialist, and the field.
10. Assist in the proposal writing process, following through the approval process, writing up concept notes and proposals considering the country´s strategic plan, with country teams as needed.
11. Lead the development of regional proposals in collaboration with country teams and technical advisors.
12. Using the country strategies as a base, assist Regional Director with ongoing program development and design. This will include sharing the tools and if needed training on programmatic tools, project work plans, procurement plans, etc.
13. Assist Regional Director in developing and/or rolling out monitoring tools, MEAL plans, evaluations, and beneficiary feedback mechanisms for each country with relevant country teams.
14. Collect and share when required technical materials (manuals, guidelines, conference briefs) in coordination with sector specialists and Regional Director; contribute to write-up of programmatic materials.
15. Visit the country missions if required for operational assessment and recommend plans of action when needed.

Coordination of regional activities with HQ departments and regional team membership

1. Supporting the Regional Director in follow-up communications between internal departments and the country teams, including compliance, finance, resource development, logistics, legal, security, human resources, and communication
2. Work with line manager to communicate to and coordinate with country teams technical/logistical aspects and communication for the annual review, quarterly review preparation, and mid-year review; write up briefs and meeting notes, set up calls,
3. Collect feedback and lessons learned for each stage of the annual work plan and review process for relevant department reviews.
4. Assist line manager with rolling out and training on new procedures and protocols, including those initiated by the Program Department as well as other departments working closely with relevant department heads.
5. Set up inductions for new CDs before sending them to the field.
6. Liaise and follow up with HR on existing recruitment and other HR field needs under the supervision of the Regional Director
7. In coordination with the Country Director, support in the recruitment of key staff as may be needed.

Representation

1. Have a thorough understanding of the mission and regional contexts.
2. Raise the profile of IsraAID, its work and country missions through active participation in Interaction forums, and external events when possible.
3. Serve as an advocate for the country's missions.
4. Hold partnerships and manage projects in countries where IsraAID does not have a mission or representation.
5. Acting as an interim CD in countries where IsraAID does not temporary have a Country Director
6. Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least a Master’s Degree (e.g. Social Sciences, Public Health, Social Work, International Development, etc.)
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in a similar position in the Humanitarian Context, at least 3 years of which you were in the field as Country Director, Head of Mission, or Senior Programme Management role.
• International Experience- A Must.
• High level of written and oral proficiency in English
• Understanding of the Africa development and humanitarian context

REQUIREMENTS

• Project management skills, preferably in international development context
• Proven ability to write and analyze reports.
• Proven ability to effectively present information and manage tasks integrating management and field perspectives.
• Outstanding organizational and operational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions.
• Excellent ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced and constantly changing environment.
• Be flexible and creative and possess the ability to cope in stressful situations and with limited resources.

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status