United States of America: Program Manager
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 15 Feb 2014
PROGRAM MANAGER
San Francisco, Headquarters Office
Job Description
Equal Access International (www.equalaccess.org) is a development communications NGO headquartered in San Francisco with country offices and programs in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan and Yemen. A communications for social change organization which combines the power of media with grassroots community mobilization, Equal Access creates customized communications strategies and outreach solutions that address the most critical challenges affecting people in the developing world such as women and girls empowerment, youth life-skills and livelihoods, education, human rights, health, and democracy and governance. With over 140 staff worldwide and twelve years experience implementing innovative media and social change projects in challenging and remote locations, we seek a San Francisco-based Program Manager.
Program Manager
The Program Manager is responsible for management of field programs primarily in West Africa, including in Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger. Management of additional projects elsewhere in Africa may be added. The Program Manager will supervise field-based Country Directors and a HQ-based Program Associate. S/he is responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID and other donor rules and regulations; managing activity delivery; monitoring project budgets and overall spending; travel, procurement and compliance documentation; delivery of high quality quarterly reports and other reporting/M&E requirements; information management; and to support human resource administration in program countries. He/she will ensure high quality program delivery and lead local staff in expansion and/or innovation around existing activities.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Manage activities to approved workplan and ensure high quality reporting submitted on time and that M&E data is regularly collected and documented to a DQA standard.
• Review and approve monthly advance requests and financial reports and reporting against budget and manage project expenditures accordingly.
• Review and approve monthly field vouchers and invoices to client.
• Ensure HR matters are dealt with appropriately in line with local laws, EA policy and good practice.
• Manage Sahel Country Directors and support their management of the country teams.
• Lead local staff to design effective technical activities. Review and approve technical activity descriptions, vendor/partner selection and implementation plans.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with partners and donors.
• Ensure that field staff receive prompt and detailed responses to requests. Proactively direct resources to emerging problems or when workload is becoming difficult.
• Implement sustainable solutions to address program vulnerabilities or risks.
• Participate in (and in some cases lead) new country and project start up.
The Program Manager will also be expected to contribute to new proposal development, including drafting technical approaches and budgeting, and to produce communications about project activities.
This position is an ideal fit for a hardworking, detail oriented and highly motivated candidate with a clear interest in media and/or international development. The ability to establish rapport and achieve goals with a range of internal and external parties is vital.
Qualifications:
• Professional experience required: At least 7 years experience in international development, including at least 2 years based in Francophone Africa and 2-3 years in an international NGO headquarters environment.
• 3 years experience managing international development programs, involving operating an in-country office of at least 10 staff, or supporting them from a headquarters or regional office.
• Strong cross-cultural experience; Prior international participatory program design & management essential.
• Knowledge of/language proficiency/experience in Africa (West Africa preferred).
• Fluency in French required.
• Knowledge and or experience working in radio or with Communications for Development or Education projects beneficial.
• Ability to commit to the mission and vision of Equal Access (available at www.equalaccess.org)
• Financial management training and strong budget management experience preferred.
• Education: Masters degree in relevant discipline required.
Knowledge, Skills and Ability:
• Strong communicator, both written and oral. Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent intercultural communication skills – experience in interfacing with major strategic partners, government ministries, key multilateral agencies, and local staff.
• Capable of interfacing with key leadership in multilaterals, bilateral and government agencies.
• Personal flexibility in cross-cultural situations necessary. Good facilitator of external multi-sectoral and cross-cultural partnerships.
• Fluency in written and spoken French and English required. Knowledge of other languages spoken in Africa a plus.
• Experience in international development and community-based initiatives, particularly with local media (radio and TV), in Africa.
• Ability to work flexibly, outside of normal office hours and in difficult conditions.
• Experience with M&E, work planning, donor reporting and marking and branding.
• Experience administering sub-grants and other partner agreements.
• Experience in formal reporting or evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in managing USAID and State Department cooperative agreements or contracts.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations, including the Code of Federal Regulations (22 CFR), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) and USAID’s Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook) and email.
Position details:
A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered. The position is based in San Francisco, CA with travel up to 35% international travel time, sometimes in demanding physical or security situations.
How to apply:
To apply, please send a cover letter indicating your reasons for interest in the position and a resume to: jobs@equalaccess.org with "Program Manager" in the subject line of the email.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please apply by February 15, 2014. This is an exempt full time position. Applicants must have the right to work in the U.S. Equal Access does not provide sponsorship.
