Yemen: Program Manager Yemen
Country: Yemen
Closing date: 21 Oct 2013
Department: Coordination
Position: Livelihood/ WASH Program managerContract duration: 6 monthsLocation: IbbStarting Date ASAP
I. Background on ACTED
ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operatesaccording to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.
ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based inParis, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 350 projects spanning 8 sectors ofintervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development,education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion.
For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org.
II. Country Profile
National Staff: 78 International Staff: 7Regions: Ibb, Raymah, Hodeidah, Ad-Dhalee, Sana'aOngoing Projects: 3 Budget: EUR 4,716,782
ACTED has been present in Yemen since early 2012, and implements activities in the central-western and central-southern regions. The presence of ACTED in Yemen has been anchored to the governorates of Ibb, Raymah and Ad-Dhalee, where the organisation has been virtually the only international actor directly implementing activities.
At the end of 2012 and based on the identification of previously uncovered needs, ACTED expanded its implementation area to two districts of Hodeidah Governorate. ACTED now aims at further expanding its humanitarian assistance by opening two additional bases: one in Taiz and one in Aden. The latter will notably serve as a base for future assessments and programming focused on conflict affected populations in southern Yemen.
ACTED has been working in the sectors of Agriculture & Food Security (e.g. distribution of crop seeds, and livestock), Economic Recovery and Market Systems (e.g. income-generating activities such as cash for work), and WASH (e.g. rehabilitation of water supply facilities, hygiene promotion). ACTED’s food security activities include distribution of food vouchers, which are rapidly becoming the key component to the future of ACTED’s interventions in the country
Through its active involvement in coordination mechanisms, ACTED has been a lead agency in the provision of humanitarian assistance in the three governorates in which it operates. The organisation is for instance the WASH Cluster focal point for Ibb Governorate.
ACTED’s key donors in Yemen are presently USAID/OFDA, USAID/FFP, and ECHO
III. Position Profile
Under the authority of the Country Director, the Program Manager is responsible for the implementation and management of a specific project in coordination with the ACTED country strategy. 1. Ensure external representation of ACTED in relevant sectors- Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities:Participate in technical and sectoral meetings to ensure visibility amongst local authorities;- Representation vis-à-vis Donors:Participate in technical and sectoral Donor meetings and pass relevant information to the Country Director;- Representation vis-à-vis international organisations:Participate in technical and sectoral meetings and working groups involving NGOs and UN Agencies (OCHA, PNUD, UNICEF, FAO, etc.) and all other inter-governmental institutions;Contribute to the creation of reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required;
More generally, the programme manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.2. Project Cycle Management- Project implementation:Plan the various stages of project implementation;Guide the implementation of the project and the methods of follow-up;Manage project finances, logistics and materials;Liaise with all internal and external counterparts of the project;Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources;- Project reporting requirements:Set up a clear timeline of reports to be submitted to project Donors;Draft narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up;Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.More generally, communicate systematically to the relevant Country Director or Area Coordinator on project progress and planning.3. Provide Relevant Technical Expertise- Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during project implementation:Collect technical information and analyse associated opportunities and risks;Identify relevant technical authorities and partners, and propose formal partnership and/or contracts.- Undertake quality control:Analyse technical added-value and project impact;Set up technical evaluation exercises during and following implementation.4. Oversee Programme Staff and Security- Guide and direct programme staff:Organise and lead project coordination meetings;Prepare and follow work plans with each project member;Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts);Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life;Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of project personnel according to the project development;Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country or Area Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.);Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.- Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:When requested by HQ, undertake interviews to assess technical abilities of expatriate candidates living in the country.- Oversee staff security:In cooperation with the relevant Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country Director or Area Coordinator and Country or Area Security Officer of developments through regular written reports;Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention;Ensure that security procedures are respected by each member of the project team.5. Identify Best Practices and Lessons Learned- Collect information and tools employed for project implementation;- Draft memos detailing lessons learned and best practices identified during the project;- Share such memos with internal and external partners;Communicate such information to the Country Director or Area Coordinator, to Regional Support Offices and to HQ Reporting Department
IV. Qualifications:
- At least 2 years of field experience in program management and coordination (Livelihood and WASH)
- Familiarity with the aid system, and ability to understand donor and governmental requirement
- Excellent communication and drafting skills;
- Able to coordinate and manage staff and project activities;
- Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
- Being a strong team player and adept at creating a strong team spirit;
- Ability to organize and plan effectively;
- Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people;
- Ability to travel and work in difficult conditions and under pressure;
- Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
V. Conditions:
- Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
- Additional monthly living allowance
- Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
- Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
- Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package
How to apply:
Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.orgRef : PM/YEM/SA
