Area Program Manager

Job Title: Area Program Manager Field/Region: Area Program – Visayas Location: Tacloban City, Philippines Area Program Reports to: Program Director Prepared by: Human Resources Prepared Date: August 8, 2022

(PHILIPPINES NATIONAL ONLY)

Values, Vision and Purpose

At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of guiding principles we call “The Heartbeat.” This includes our Values, Vision, and Purpose, which serve as the explanation of who we are and how we work as an organization. Together we follow God’s call responding to human suffering and graduating communities from extreme poverty.

Safeguarding Policy

FH Philippines (FHP) strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FHP holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FHP expects employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FHP work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. It is understood by the undersigned that violations of stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Position Purpose

The Area Program Manager (APM) will work under the supervision and guidance of the Program Director (PD). The APM ensures the efficient use of resources, the accomplishment of yearly targets and deliverables, and compliance to all of FH policies in his/her area of responsibility. S/He is expected to work closely with the Technical Specialists, M&E Coordinator, and Child Sponsorship Coordinator to coordinate and collaborate on addressing program implementation concerns.

The APM is also expected to regularly coordinate with all FH support units to ensure that all administrative, logistics, procurement and security concerns of the Area Program (AP) are addressed in a timely manner. S/He will provide the necessary mentoring support and guidance to all staff in the AP to ensure the achievement of area targets and deliverables are met.

Responsibilities

*Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Key Result #1: Area Program Management (approximately 40% of the time)

• Lead in planning and implementing the defined strategies and projects in the assigned Area program to contribute towards the overall strategic objectives of the County portfolio;
• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of the detailed implementation plan and budget, monthly progress report, and other reports as may be required by the Program Director (PD) and Technical Specialists (TS);
• Monitor the timely and efficient implementation of field activities that are consistent with the approved detailed implementation plan and budget;
• Provide timely feedback to the Area Program staff on the progress/monthly status of project implementation vis-à-vis the targets;
• Submit monthly report to the PD (Smartsheet, WL3, area budget variance explanation) every 10th day of the month;
• Conduct community visits and establish strong working relationships with Municipal/Barangay Council members, church partners, and other community stakeholders;
• Represent FHP in the city/municipal council meetings and local board meetings if Senior Field Officer is not available;
• Represent FHP in national and local network meetings if AP work is relevant to the agenda and in the absence of the PD and TS;
• Review community proposals including MOA after the endorsement of Technical Specialists and ensure all supporting documents are complete;
• Report to PD and HR any security, safeguarding, protection incidents, emergencies/crisis situations experienced by the staff and community partners;
• Ensure the timely and quality delivery of Sponsorship deliverables in the AP in coordination with the Child Sponsorship Coordinator;
• Provide information and suggestions to PD on possible sponsorship expansion areas, and lead the assessment and preparation of communities;
• Provide support to the PD and TS during the development of the Annual Operating Plan;
• Lead regular meetings with staff and join other meetings called by PD and SLT;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Key Result #2: Coordination with other FH Technical Staff and Support Units (approximately 25% time)

• Closely coordinate with the Technical Specialists, Child Sponsorship, M&E, in preparing the detailed implementation plan and budget;
• Consult Technical Specialists, Child Sponsorship and M&E leads on project implementation concerns that affect the results as captured in Smartsheet and WL3 results;
• Work closely with M&E and Technical Specialists in the preparation and implementation of baseline, midterm, and end-line evaluations and in the preparation of internal assessment/evaluation reports;
• Work with the PD and Child Sponsorship Lead in identifying areas for expansion.

Key Result #3: Team Management and Development (approximately 20% time spent in this area)

• Interview applicants and follow the onboarding orientation schedule prepared by HR for new staff in the Area Program office;
• Identify staff care needs and coordinate with HR for action/support;
• Discuss individual staff development plans and team goals with all area staff and provide direct coaching/mentoring;
• Conduct a yearly performance appraisal. Review and finalize performance agreements;
• Provide feedback to HR for capacity-building needs and other identified competency training needs;
• Strictly monitor the staff adherence and compliance to all FHP VMG, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Key Result Area 4: Administrative and Budget Management (approximately 15% of the time)

• Ensure the judicious use of FH resources and timely disbursement of funds in accordance with FH Policy;
• Submit timely requests for cash advance and liquidation reports;
• Track monthly budget spending of the Area Program;
• Ensure AP submits an Annual Procurement Plan and APM to monitor procurement schedule and completion;
• Monitor administration, procurement, and finance staff’s daily operations and provide support when needed, in coordination with functional managers;
• Serve as focal person for the safety and security in the Area Program.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty/function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• A commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s foundation and beliefs as expressed in The Heartbeat: our Values, Vision, and Purpose;
• Excellent people skills including warmth and sensitivity, conversational, able to relate to and effectively communicate with people from different cultures (at various levels within the organization);
• High integrity and a strong sense of professional ethics;
• Able to self-manage a diverse and dynamic set of responsibilities, proactively solve problems, and/or suggest viable solutions while advancing goals and objectives. Tolerates condition of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and work productively
• Demonstrated computer operating skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Google platform, and virtual technologies such as Skype and/or GoToMeeting;
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to plan and coordinate work, ensure the efficient flow of projects and processes;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate, teach, and mentor staff and volunteers;
• Comfortable and persuasive when speaking before both large and small groups;
• Ability to interact positively with all levels of the organization and across organizational and cultural boundaries.
• Medical fitness to live and travel in rural and urban areas with extreme conditions and limited medical support.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Education, Nutrition, Health Sciences, Social Science, Agriculture, Community Development, or other related field required. A Master’s Degree is an advantage.

Experience: At least 10 years of relevant experience in program/project development and implementation; Solid experience in managing teams, preferably in an INGO setting; Experience in facilitation and partnering with local government units and community-based organizations, with frequent travels and monitoring in the field; Possess strong knowledge and understanding of logical framework design and results-based management; Possess the ability to use tact and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and achieve results.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position directly supervises the Senior Field Officers, Administration & Procurement Officer, Finance Officer, M&E Officer, Field Communications Officer, and all other Support staff of the AP.

Language: Proficiency in spoken and written English, Tagalog, and local language (a plus). Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and activity designs. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.