Programs Manager

Program Manager

Vientiane Capital

World Vision is a global community of millions, working together for one purpose: to change the lives of vulnerable children. Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness.

Are you a motivated professional who wants to make a difference in Lao PDR?

To provide overall management of the implementation of WVI Lao PDR (WVI-L) programs, including small Grants, ensuring all projects comply with Partnership standards. Establish excellent program and operations planning, guidelines, monitoring and reporting, and provide strategic management advice and assistance on all aspects of program implementation decision making. Contribute to new project design and proposal development, ensuring new project designs cover all operation and technical requirements.

WVI-L’s Strategy 2022-2026 includes three strategic objectives, Integrated Nutrition, Education and Protection and Participation. The Program Manager ensures that all 3 objectives are implemented across WVI-L’s programs, and projects are impactful, achieve program objectives and targets, and contribute towards the fulfilment of child well-being. This includes leadership of program implementation, design, research and learning for continuous program improvement, innovation and advocacy engagement, and support of all humanitarian emergency actions.

Key responsibilities of this position are:

• To provide management, support and coordination to all projects/programs in WVL to ensure efficient and effective implementation and technical supports to programs so as to meet the goals and objectives of World Vision and community partners, in alignment with the National Strategy.
• To develop and lead a team of competent staff, with strong commitment, and excellent professional and team leadership skills to manage quality projects/programs funded by various Support offices, and Donors of WV Laos.
• To support the Country Program Director (CPD) in ensuring that the standards of representation, design quality, implementation, grants & field operations management, monitoring and reporting, are such that World Vision Laos is seen as a partner of choice for Support Offices and Donor Agencies in chosen sectors of intervention.

Major Responsibilities of Job:

1. Program Management

1. Provide management and support to Program and Field Teams in the development of project designs, situation analysis, baselines, design framework, concept paper and proposal writing, multi-year and annual planning, monitoring and evaluation, and budgeting, ensuring a clear focus on MVC and alignment with WVI-L Strategy.

2. Work together with Program Quality Department (PDQ) to develop funding diversification strategy and support proactive resource acquisition to ensure program commitments are fulfilled. Support provision of basic information from field staff to acquisition team during proposal development.

3. Support all programs/grants to have legal operation (MOU) with Government of Laos, and meet Government reporting requirements and are processed timely in order not to delay project implementation.

4. Ensure all projects have sound execution plans from start-up until closure, clear work plans, and adequate resources to deliver the expected outcomes as agreed in the project proposal and in accordance to donor’s and WVI-L’s guidelines / policies

5. Coordinate project start-ups with the SO, NO, partners, and other key stakeholders. Ensure all grant/operations staffs are equipped with Grant/Operations Minimum Standards and related policies before implementing the project, ensure Safe guarding and community engagement are followed in all programs.

6. Conduct appropriate and useful field visits to monitor and assist grant/program implementation, ensuring coordination and communication with the CPD. Support SO/donor visits with aim of building donor confidence in WVI-L.

7. Ensure that Grant/programs are tracked against detailed implementation plans, budget expenditure and are compliant with WVI and donor requirements/standards, ensure any alteration has documented donor approval.

8. Monitor budgets and ensure that burn rates are aligned with the quality program implementation. Ensure reporting for all Grant and PNS are align with donors/SO requirements and are submitted on time, and ensure timely follow-up on Audit recommendations.

9. Support CPD in representing WVI-L on operations related matters to key stakeholders and the Government of Lao

II. Program Quality & Integration

1. Develop mutually supportive relationships with other departments and staff in WVL and actively work with them in order to facilitate effective management, administration and good teamwork culture. Ensure strong effective collaboration between the programs, PQD and DME.

2. Support and manage innovations and new initiatives to improve program quality and impact; enable organizational learning and reflection

3. Ensure effective implementation of all programming models and designs, including cross-cutting themes and integrated outcomes, working closely with Program Quality department to ensure WVL is aligned to WV partnership standards in line with Our Promise and the country strategy FY22-26.

4. Ensure that Grant and PNS, are well integrated with Area Programs to maximize the impact to community and children especially to the Most Vulnerable Children. Support quality implementation of HEA programs.

5. Spend at least 25% at the field to visit field Program and Project offices, communities and target villages for the purposes of: regular interaction with children, women and men within families and communities that are the primary stakeholders of WV’s transformational development ministry and monitoring impact of programs.

6. Maintain a good understanding of poverty and development in Lao; strengthen Programs team to seek emerging successes, learning of best practices and building relationships to reinforce WV’s vision, mission, and core values.

III. Team building & Human Resources Development

1. Support cooperation, team spirit and a supportive, learning environment in Programs and within WVL in general. Encourage full and appropriate expression of WV’s identity. Participate in and lead WV events related to this.

2. Build capacity of the direct report staff, Project Managers and TP Managers through on-the-job coaching, honest and timely feedback, field monitoring, and identification of learning/training needs and opportunities

3. Facilitate a supportive environment for the capacity development of staff, the internalization of WV’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values. Ensure your direct report staff, are equipped to coach their team members in honest, respectful and timely manner and are focused on serving the most vulnerable children.

4. In coordination with Finance department, ensure TP and Project Managers have basic financial literacy relevant to their scope of work, are monitoring financial reports and are taking action as required

5. With PQD team, build Program’s team capacity in data collection, impact monitoring and report writing.

6. In coordination with People and Culture department, develop workforce plan to ensure the Programs department has the right number of staff and skill to meet the operation demands

IV. External Representation and Relations

1. Support the Country Program Director in representing WV to donors/support office representative, line ministries and partner organizations thru active engagement with key stakeholders, including policy makers, government ministries, technical working groups, NGOs and UN agencies to raise the profile of WVL.

2. Ensure that the communication, reporting and representation of WVI-lL with WV Support Offices, international donor organizations, and major donors is of the highest quality and transparency (from self and other key WVI-L staff). Ensure monitoring, lessons learnt, and evidence of impact are highlighted in quality reporting and communication products.

3. Carry out additional responsibilities as assigned by Country Program Director.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Ø Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, required, especially in Project Management related, relevant Master’s degree desirable.

Ø 7 years’ experience in international humanitarian development, including at least 5 years in project management positions preferred.

Ø Previous Experience in project management skills

Ø Previous experience managing medium to large scale grant funded projects

Ø Previous experience working in multi-project management

Ø Previous experience in project planning and implementation

Ø Good communication and problem-solving skill

Ø Demonstrated ability to manage international development projects in complex political/ cultural environments

Ø Proven ability to manage and lead large, multi-disciplinary teams

Ø Knowledge of donor requirements for grant funded projects, including policies and regulations

Ø Proven experience in stakeholder management including working with host-country professionals, government ministries and donors

Ø Strong financial management skills

Ø Strong oral presentation and report writing skills

Ø Proven of coaching and team leading skills

Ø Fluency in English, written and verbal

Ø Good computer skills and email

Work Environment: The position requires ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 40% of the time.