Programme Manager

Purpose of the Position:

The Programme Manager (PM) is responsible for overall coordination of programme implementation and responsible for field delivery of high quality and accountable programming, in line with the strategic objectives of the ForAfrika Angola programme. In addition, the PM will also lead program need analysis, developing and regularly updating the disaster preparedness plans and coordinating program implementation.

The position is open to Angolan Nationals only. The individual must be results orientated, highly self-motivated and have demonstrated analytical skills. The successful candidate will thrive in a multi-cultural environment as part of a rapidly growing and developing organisation and be personally committed to quality humanitarian and development action.

Key Responsibilities

Management of programme implementation

• The PM will set up and lead a Programme Management Team (PMT) and guide team planning and team coordination to ensure successful implementation of the ForAfrika Angola strategic plan;
• Ensure programmes are implemented in ways responsive to the needs of the communities, donor requirements and in line with ForAfrika’s vision, programming frameworks, principles, values and compliance procedures;
• Participate in programme proposal processes, together with the technical teams, specifically to ensure proposal designs are aligned to context and meet requisite needs;
• Responsible for monitoring financial spending and ensuring project activities are implemented within scheduled timelines and with the agreed resources; coordinate timely review of account listings before finalisation of financial reports and lead the review of budget variance analysis (BVA).
• Monitor the preparation of timely and high-quality progress reports, programme reports, and donor reports by field coordinators;
• Provide monthly and quarterly updates to the Country Manager/Senior Management Team on the status of project implementation (targets, challenges, risks etc.) across all field locations.

Emergency response planning and management

• S/he will bear overall responsibility for coordinating ForAfrika Angola’s response to emergencies and population displacements across any affected locations. The emergency response will focus majorly on assisting displaced people in need of humanitarian relief assistance, especially emergency shelter/NFIs and WASH services.
• Collaborate with the Disaster Response Director (DRD) in ensuring ForAfrika Angola is prepared to respond to humanitarian needs by ensuring necessary supplies, tools, equipment, personnel are ready at any given time;
• Lead, with the support of the DRD the design of evidence-based emergency response, using available studies, information, best practices and learnings;
• Represent ForAfrika and participate actively in relevant humanitarian coordination fora/mechanisms;
• In coordination with Technical Leads keep track of on-going emergencies across all sectors

Assessment, monitoring & evaluation and accountability

• Working with the MEAL personnel, carry out individual project activity tracking and results-based monitoring of outputs and outcomes using standardized reporting templates/ formats, protocols, guides, dashboards and databases; ensuring contribution to the CO strategic objectives are well captured;
• Assess field reports to determine possible implications for implementation and agree on corrective action with appropriate project implementation staff;
• In collaboration with the Communications Manager and the field MEAL Officers, support project teams to generate impact and/or Most Significant Change evidences in form of stories, photos or digital videos.
• Analyse programme management reports, baseline and end line evaluation reports, assessment reports, project routine monitoring data to generate evidence for reporting, decision making, improvement of approaches and demonstrating progress on the CO strategic plans;
• Establish community complaints and feedback mechanisms in all ForAfrika Angola projects. Ensure that accountability to beneficiaries becomes a core element and success indicator for all projects. Support the MEAL personnel to increase awareness and capacity of all staff on accountability through induction, training, coaching, informal support and in other ways as identified;
• Perform regular visits to field to ensure that planned activities are implemented as expected, ensure quality adherence, undertake verification of reported data, ensure M&E activities are being implemented effectively by those involved and produce related monitoring reports as well as ensuring documentation of implemented activities through sign-up sheets, activity reports, training reports, photograph, GPS coordinates, etc.

Staff management, mentorship and development

• Provide line management leadership to project coordinators, MEAL and communication personnel;
• Define expectations and ensure that all programme staff understand and are able to perform their role in project implementation. This includes establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
• Incorporate staff development strategies and oversee completion of development plans by key staff.

Qualifications and competencies

• A Master’s degree, or equivalent, in a relevant field (International Development, Project Management or one of ForAfrika’s programming areas – public health, disaster management, food security livelihoods, WASH, education);
• Proven experience and strong knowledge of the project cycle management, with thorough understanding of project quality frameworks; experience designing programme M&E plans and logical frameworks and monitoring their implementation according to industry standards;
• Leadership capabilities that includes coaching staff to high level of performance and engaging in effective cross-cultural and cross-functional working to achieve shared goals and effective indirect line management;
• Good interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to train others, harness cross-functional contributions from colleagues in other locations, being able to effectively employ face-to-face, telephone, Teams, email and other electronic communication with internal and external colleagues;
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, experienced networker with ability to develop strategic partnerships with field-based donor representatives and government authorities at various levels;
• Familiarity with SPHERE standards, Durable Solutions Framework, Code of Conduct for Red Cross/ Red Crescent, Humanitarian Accountability Partnerships (HAP); other international humanitarian standards;
• Capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in sometimes difficult working locations.
• Must be fully conversant in English and Portuguese, both written and oral as the position requires a fluent English and Portuguese speaker and writer on technical subject.