Area Program Manager Full Time

Background

HelpAge International(www.helpage.org) is the secretariat to the HelpAge Global Network, which brings together a wide range of organizations and individuals working to promote the rights and meet the needs of older women and men, nationally and/or internationally. At the core of this network, are civil society members, a group of civil society organizations working with older people around the world. These organizations share a vision of a world in which all older people are valued, and lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. HelpAge has been operating in Ethiopia since 1992 and has been involved on thematic sectors including social protection, health and wellbeing, emergency response, capacity building of partners and advocacy efforts.

Currently, we are responding to the conflict and drought related humanitarian crisis in central and western Tigray as well as North wollo of Amhara, responding to the most and critically affected communities in the areas of Protection. HelpAge is mandated organisation to address the specific needs of older people and PWDs in the region. These humanitarian response project will be implemented with full engagement of stakeholders and in close consultation and coordination with Community based institutions, as well as Government humanitarian actors.

We are looking for motivated and self-driven individuals for the various positions in Woldiya (five project locations), Tigray (2 project locations). Read the below cross-cutting points applicable for all positions.

Our Values: Everyone who works at HelpAge share our values and are committed to behaviors that demonstrate and support them:

Overall, Purpose of the Job

The Area Program Manager (APM) is responsible for overseeing the management of HelpAge’s field office and ensuring the effective implementation of all programs in North Wollo. As the official representative at the field site, the Area Manager upholds HelpAge International’s mission, mandate, and policies in Ethiopia.

The Program Manager is responsible for maintaining administrative procedures, internal financial controls, and logistics policies, including managing banking and cash functions to ensure compliance with organizational standards. They will also ensure that all HelpAge programs are implemented in a timely, professional, and effective manner, addressing the needs of both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. He has also a responsibility of managing the Consortium, Hence, will have a direct linkage and collaboration with the consortium members (eg, RaDO team), so that He make sure a coordinated effort among the team. He/She will take the leadership role of linking the project to relevant Government and other relevant actors.

Additionally, the APM is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of program staff at the field site. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in protection-mainstreamed humanitarian action and a proven track record in managing humanitarian programs. Strong relationship-building, communication, planning, monitoring, and teamwork skills are essential for success in this role.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS

Program Implementation and Monitoring

• Supervise the implementation of HelpAge’s programs in the field site with attention to program quality and ensure program activities/indicators are completed within the project period.
• Management oversight of the project’s, Inclusion and protection, livelihood programs, and any other additional sectors, including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Oversee the management of grants including the appropriate and timely expenditure of program funds.
• Be the front line linking the consortium proejct to relevant stakeholders in the ground;
• Provide support to the Senior Management Team for strategic leadership of the Woldiya program
• Actively work with field teams to manage constraints and trouble shoot problems as they arise.
• Ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with HelpAge’s and global humanitarian policies and guidelines, including Codes of Conduct, SPHERE and CHS principles and standards on accountability to the affected populations.
• Promote participatory approaches, in emergency programming to ensure inclusion of all most vulnerable groups including older people, children, women and Persons with disabilities throughout the project cycle and joint learning processes;

Operations Management

• Ensure the existence of solid operational management system, with a focus on logistics supply chain and sound financial budget management systems.
• Ensure timely completion of all logistics, financial and administrative matters in the field.
• Ensure the consistent implementation of HelpAge-Ethiopia policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement security policies addressing local conditions in collaboration with the Emergency Program Manager and Country Director.
• Coordinate security planning with relevant actors, local authorities and HelpAge-Ethiopia Security Focal Point.
• Develop strict local vehicle safety policies and ensure that they are consistently implemented and followed.
• Ensure that proper channels of communication are maintained. Regularly consult with appropriate Addis Ababa-based staff on all matters of significance to administration, staffing, finance, logistical or program matters.
• Following the designated format, write monthly reports on all program implementation activities as well as administration, finance and logistical matters. Reports are due by 5th working day of the following month. Provide regular fortnight progress report and humanitarian situation update to the country humanitarian team.
• Ensure financial oversight of the field office including approving cash expenditures (to approved limits); maintain office operations within operating budget, travel expenses and other office matters.
• Ensuring field office compliance with contract and donor guidelines and requirements.
• Ensure that all field procurement takes place in a timely manner. 

Human Resource Management:

• Follow the standard procedures for new position posting, interviewing and applicant selection.
• Participate in selection of new staff including: interviewing, skills assessment, field orientation and security briefings.
• Provide leadership; promote professional working relationships and encourage staff members to manage their staff and programs within goals and budget.
• Conduct review of all staff including review of key responsibilities, overall performance and recommendations for improvement as well as future training.
• Ensure HelpAge-Ethiopia’s National Staff Personnel Policies are consistently implemented and followed.
• Play a leadership role and foster a positive working environment.
• Ensure mutual support within the team and contribute to teambuilding. 

Representation and Networking:

• Act as HelpAge point person in Woldiya/Tigray, develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the refugee community, humanitarian partners particularly with ARRA, UNHCR and local government.
• Represent HelpAge in Woldiya/Tigray (as appropriate) coordination and cluster meetings and ensure that technical personal take part in thematic external coordination forum and influence inclusive humanitarian action in any response @ IDPs and Host Community sites.
• Ensure referral linkages are properly developed and implemented with relevant and mandated humanitarian actors with health, nutrition and psychical rehabilitation and build alliance with protection focussed organizations.
• Strong understanding of political, security and humanitarian issues in the area of operations and provide leadership support as they arise.
• Be the focal person in the field Assist HelpAge-Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa staff in facilitating donor visits.
• Meet regularly with all stakeholders to foster goodwill and support for all program activities.
• Ensure the integrity of HelpAge as an independent, non-governmental organization in Woldiya/Tigray.
• Actively represent HelpAge and Programs in negotiations involved with donors, local government and others

Learning and documentation

• Ensure that older people and person with special need data, project beneficiary SADD data are properly generated, organized, documented and shared;
• Promote organizational learning by ensuring timely and quality project reports and updates are organized and sharing with HelpAge and humanitarian community;
• Support staff capacity building in field story gathering and communications related to the project implementations, older people situation in the camps and PSN.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Preventing harm and abuse from our people, operations and program to anyone that encounters our work.
• Reporting all safeguarding incidents, you see, hear, hear about or suspect, using our internal reporting mechanism and complying with all safeguarding framework policies and practices.

Contract Length: One year

Responsible to: Head of Humanitarian Program

Responsible for: Management of HelpAge’s program, and staff in Woldiya and surrounding woredas.

Key Relationships:

Internal: Humanitarian Programme; Communications Officer; Finance & Operations team, and Country Director

External: The consortium’s head of Mission & program Technical specialist, liaison with Local Government bodies and humanitarian actors.

Person Specifications

• Educational background: Master or MSC/ BA degree in Social Studies, Development, Business Administration, Management, Economics, Program Management or other related fields and at least 5-7 years of experience (of which 2-3 years in program and people management role).
• Project management and peoples management Experience: 2-3 years’ experience in program management roles, preferable in INGOs and spent much of his/her time managing protection program; provide leadership in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency response/ development projects of field offices or head office; past experience of developing collaborative partnerships with other organizations; developing strategies and providing technical support; good understanding of budget development and management; strong communication, negotiation & representational skills and experience of managing & supporting partners; etc. and managing staff under his/her responsibility is required.
• Experience in leading or managing consortium projects, specifically in protection of most vulnerable or at-risk groups will be a plus.
• Behavioral Competencies: This post requires a person who is result oriented and able to work with his/ her team members in line with organizational priorities and have the ability to direct, coordinate and support the staff under his/ her responsibility so as to drive high quality work; should have the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and work under stressful environment conditions. Having good analytical skill is a must and requires a person who is self-managed, committed, knowledgeable and confident.
• Others: This post requires a person who can engage and demonstrate on data analysis and interpretation; understanding issues of most at risk groups including older persons; willingness and interest to work with a network/partner focused approach and being proficient on computer (word processors, spreadsheet, power points, Office 365 etc.).