Programme Manager/Chief of Party

Position Title: Programme Manager/Chief of Party

Duty Station: Accra, Ghana

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 05 July 2024

Organizational Context and Scope:

IOM, UN Migration Agency in Accra, Ghana is looking for a Programme Manager/Chief of Party who will lead, direct and oversee the implementation of the CSSM throughout its geographic coverage.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide full programmatic, financial, administrative and logistical programmatic leadership and management for all programme activities and ensure that IOM standards and operating modalities are met wherever the programme is implemented.
2. Conceptualize and design programme strategies, and direct appropriate resource allocation among several offices, stakeholders and sub-regions.
3. Manage a close, client-centered, in-country relationship with the programme’s donor representatives by maintaining frequent dialogue, reinforcing the principle of activity development, and meeting all regular and ad hoc donor requests, while ensuring that the programme team and other stakeholders fulfill their obligations with respect to the donor’s substantial involvement.
4. Lead and oversee the recruitment, training and capacity building of all programme staff, as well as create, deploy and periodically fine-tune all programmatic systems, including database management, supply chain, financial tracking and accounting. Ensure that all departments are coordinating together smoothly to achieve the programme objectives.
5. In close conjunction with the management of the IOM Country Office, the Country Office’s Field Security Officer, and in accordance with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) requirements, be responsible for the safety and security of all individuals implementing the programme. This includes ensuring that appropriate security information is regularly and appropriately disseminated, and that relevant safety and security training is conducted in coordination with IOM’s Staff Security Unit (SSU) when required.
6. Assess, develop a plan for, and oversee all tasks related to recruiting and onboarding staff, technical experts or service providers in relation to the programme.
7. Supervise Programme staff both directly and indirectly, ensuring appropriate training, coaching, support, quality control and performance evaluation processes are applied.
8. Liaise with international and national counterparts to further the development and enhance the objectives of the programme. Establish and maintain programmatic partnerships and synergies when appropriate with other humanitarian and development partners and government entities.
9. Actively consult with a wide range of sources, including management of the IOM Country Office, Regional Office, Headquarters, IOM Washington Country Office and donors, to continually assess the full context of the IOM programme funded by multiple bilateral donors, including in relation to other IOM or donor programmes and priorities in the country.
10. Continuously develop the programme in accordance with the programme objectives, updated strategic priorities, project successes, donor interests and UN security constraints.
11. Oversee the tracking of all programme expenditures to ensure budget recommendations are met, that all grant management and financial tracking instruments are reconciled and that all funds are spent in accordance with IOM standards and donor expectations. In coordination with the relevant IOM Country Office units, Headquarters and others, ensure the timely submission of financial reports to the donor.
12. Oversee and ensure the regular reporting, including all financial, narrative and database requirements, and ensure regular and proactive coordination with programme counterparts in the relevant oversight offices (e.g., Regional Office and Headquarters).
13. In coordination with the main programme counterparts, ensure that small grant initiatives and related community and government relationships are developed in accordance with programme goals and objectives.
14. Act as the primary contact for the programme in work across multiple sectors that include, but are not limited to, health, agriculture, education, municipal infrastructure, gender, transportation, and water and sanitation.
15. Develop and enforce measures to prevent fraud, waste and abuse, and strengthen existing measures including the implementation of a sound Monitoring and Evaluation system to ensure the transparent use of donor funds. Report corruption issues to the donor according to established procedures.
16. Perform such other duties that may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Development Studies and Planning, Political or Social Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Progressive responsibility with demonstrated supervisory experience in staff, security, budget and office management;
• At least 3 years of operational experience with USAID programming or on other large donor-funded programmes in a rapid transition or post-conflict area, with some of this experience having preferably been with USAID/OTI;
• Experience managing a Cooperative Agreement and following a ‘one-team’ approach is an advantage;
• Previous work experience in small-grants programming, infrastructure works, procurement and civil-society strengthening highly desirable;
• Thorough knowledge of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security protocols and experience working in complex environments is an advantage;
• Experience managing staff from diverse environments and backgrounds, including remote supervision in non-permissive operating contexts; and,
• Prior experience in relevant geographic region and thematic areas.

Skills

• Recognized expertise in conflict prevention, stabilization and preventing violent extremism;
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills including capabilities to present to diverse audiences;
• Proven abilities relating to implementation as well as resource management (budgets, human resources, procurement, and so forth) for large-scale programming in complex environments;
• Thorough understanding of donor processes and regulations, especially USAID and GFFO; and,
• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.