Job Description

The Program Director leads the country program team and the development and implementation of strategies to deliver quality programs in integrated Food Security and Livelihood, Health and Nutrition, and Education t. S/he oversees ensuring the company’s program and initiatives meet the highest levels of technical outcomes, produce results for the most vulnerable communities, and contribute to the achievement of the NGO’s local and global strategic plans. S/he supports the Country Leadership Team to strengthen program quality, mobilize resources and to provide opportunities for partnering, networking, learning and knowledge management. The Program Director is managed directly by the Country Director (CD) and may, at times, be required to take on the responsibilities of the CD in their absence.

Dimension of the Role

• A member of the Mozambique Country Leadership Team (SLT) and manages senior advisors and managers in the areas of Program strategy, resource mobilization, and communication.
• Regularly report to the CD on the management of all risks associated with program strategy and effectiveness, resource mobilization, and emergency response.
• Technical oversight and support to Country Programs for designing, implementing, evaluating and resourcing Programs and advocacy initiatives, thus better accomplishing NGO Values, Vision and Purpose.
• S/he oversees the annual program & budgeting process, monitors progress towards the achievements of the Country Strategy (CS) goals and global strategic goals, and defines measures to ensure the company’s Programs & advocacy work are effective and puts the company Heartbeat and Value Proposition into practice, whether in humanitarian or emergency circumstances.
• Supports program integration, learning & knowledge management, and timely and effective delivery of commitments.
• Works closely with the SLT and Business Development Manager to ensure timely support for program delivery and good planning of activities that require logistical, finance, administrative, HR, or security support.
• Upon delegation of the CD, the Program Director may approve all commitments, contracts, grants, leases, disbursements and transfers to third parties up to the authorized value as specified in the country Delegation of Authority (DoA).

Main Responsibilities

1. Strategic planning and delivery of programs

The Country Strategy is reviewed, updated and monitored

• Leads the revision and annual planning processes for the existing CS and the development of the new one responding to changing national, regional, and global priorities, including NGOs own with an adapted strategic Resource Mobilization plan that reflects its CS’s aspirations.
• A yearly research and evaluation plan supporting the CS implementation and contributing to program quality is set, developed and implemented.
• Emergency interventions are appropriate to identify needs and gaps, maximize the company’s Mozambique added value, ensure adherence to humanitarian standards, and minimize security risks.
• Clear strategies for disaster risk reduction, mitigation and response are in place at a country level and embedded as appropriate into long-term programs.
• Strategies or plans for communication, advocacy, and resource mobilization are developed, and implemented, and progress is adequately documented.
• The NGO has an efficient knowledge management system/approach in place that helps learning, sharing, scaling up, and innovation.
• Supports the development of proposals for government agencies and other significant donors in collaboration with the BDM and support staff in Washington D.C., Phoenix and Mozambique.
• Grant management is recognized as high-standard, and agreed commitments are met in a timely manner and according to the expected quality.
• The program team budget is developed, implemented and monitored to the highest quality.
• Responsible for the development and the regular monitoring of NGO program & risk management plan/dashboard.
• Plans and implements measures to ensure that strategy and program initiatives are inclusive and conflict-sensitive, build resilience and strong partnerships, and contribute to the company’s global objectives.
• Puts in place measures to ensure that all implemented program & advocacy initiatives – whether development or humanitarian – follow nationally and globally recognized technical standards as well as those of the company.
• Provides guidance to ensure that every project has a results framework/Theory of Change and a sound monitoring and evaluation plan in place. It also ensures that it is adequately costed and implemented in accordance with global standards and guidance using corporate systems.
• Provides regular reports on program and advocacy initiatives as per global standards and guidance.
• Leads the documentation of lessons learned from projects and ensures they are discussed within the team and the wider organization; and that they inform the continuous improvement of the NGO work

1. Advocacy

An advocacy strategy is in place to support the office in Mozambique and partners in driving changes in policies, norms, behaviours, and practices that will help eliminate poverty.

• Responsible for developing an advocacy plan and ensuring that Mozambique’s projects include effective and measurable advocacy activities that result in outcomes for sponsored children and communities and, wherever possible, contribute to the NGO’s global advocacy agenda.
• Establishes and maintains regular and structured communication with key stakeholders at national and local levels (e.g. government, civil society) in order to deliver effective and collaborative influencing.
• Achieves change through a combination of advocacy approaches, including developing local policy recommendations, lobbying, building coalitions and partnerships, engaging partners, and developing strategic communications.
• Implements capacity-building activities toward the development of partner-specific advocacy strategies
• Mentors partner organizations in advocacy and lobbying skills, including conducting power relations and conflict analyses
• Supports partners and allies in the quantitative and qualitative assessment of their national influencing results.
• Coordinates reporting on the results achieved in terms of advocacy according to established standards.

1. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Prepares work annual work plan and progress report, and monitors the implementation of these plans, and prepares and submits monthly and quarterly reports on the progress of activities and achievements.
• Supervises the company’s program work through regular meetings, site visits, report reviews, and other appropriate management tools. This supervision should lead to the smooth operation, quality programming, and innovative developments in all program areas.
• Monitors program indicators, evaluates, and makes recommendations for improvement in program implementation.
• In collaboration with SLT staff, develop operational plans to support the roll-out of programs by objectives and provide oversight to ensure that all program planning, implementation and funding reflects the ‘big picture’ in accordance with integrated programming aims.
• Take responsibility for all programmatic reporting to donors, appropriate GoM ministries, and other entities.
• In conjunction with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officer, ensure that all projects follow monitoring and evaluation guidelines, and activities are implemented consistently across all programs and that they are reviewed for effectiveness and quality;
• Be the focal point for program policy development and ensure that all programming adheres to best practice principles of participation from program design, through implementation, and M&E.
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, making changes accordingly as necessary with the approval of CD.
• Contributes to the documentation of learning and innovations developed by the NGO, its partners and allies (lessons learned, best practices, methodologies, approaches, life stories, etc.)

1. Partnership management

A strategy and mechanisms are in place to support youth groups and movements in implementing projects, conducting influencing activities and campaigns, and leading change.

• Maintains close contact with the NGO staff, partner organizations, OFDA, MSH, USAID Title II, UNDP and affected communities.
• Represents the company in meetings related to overall program issues affecting the program implementation.
• Reviews and provides input into program and project partner work plans.
• Participates in stakeholder forums and project steering committees as appropriate.

1. Grants management

Relevant grant acquisition and quality grant management are in place to support the delivery of the Country Strategy.

• The Country Resource Mobilization strategy is developed and implemented in conjunction with the BDM and key stakeholders to deliver the target of the country grants target.
• Grants acquisitions are in line with the country’s strategy
• Supports the development of high-quality concept notes & proposals with full participation of the Program team and partner organizations to ensure grant acquisition.
• The country’s annual targets for grant acquisition are agreed upon and achieved in collaboration with the BDM.
• Effective collaboration with affiliates, institutional donors and organizations at local and international levels is established and maintained.

1. Team management

• The Program Department is a high-performing team that supports quality interventions.
• Participates actively and effectively in the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings.
• The Program team’s performance objectives are well-set, and efficiently monitored using the company’s performance management system.
• Members of the Program Team are adequately supported in their work, and their development needs are identified and met.
• The Country staff’s capacity to deliver the company’s Value Proposition is enhanced and adequately monitored.
• Adequate staffing and cost recovery are in place to ensure the right resources are available for Mozambique’s office ambition.
• Assesses the technical needs to implement Country Strategy and projects and works with other members of the SLT, such as the HRM, to ensure the company has the technical capacity needed to deliver on strategy and program plans.
• With CD, determine staff needs are determined, and provide leadership is provided in the recruitment of new hires.
• Takes the role of Acting Country Director when the CD is on leave.
• Ensures the company in Mozambique has strong institutional capacity through the development and implementation of a competency-based capacity-building strategy using on-the-job training and mentoring.

Job Level Specifications

• Demonstrated computer-operating skills, including proficiency in Google platforms, Microsoft Office products, and virtual technologies such as Skype and Zoom.
• Ability to sit/stand at a computer for up to 8 hours a day doing repetitive motions on a keyboard.

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in a similar role
• 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);
• Able to self-manage a diverse and dynamic set of responsibilities, proactively solve problems and suggest viable solutions while advancing goals and objectives;
• Demonstrated computer operating skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Google platform, and virtual technologies such as Skype and GoToMeeting;
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to plan and coordinate work, and ensure the efficient flow of projects and processes while working creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions;
• Strong people management skills/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.
• Familiarity with the humanitarian aid system and ability to understand donor and governmental requirements;
• Previous large-scale project management experience;
• Experience with USAID and other international donors;
• Knowledge of Human Resources, including recruiting and hiring;
• Medical fitness to live and travel in rural and urban areas with extreme conditions and limited medical support.

Education/Certifications A Master’s degree in international development studies, public health, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language proficiency in spoken and written English, and Portuguese are strong assets. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Supervisor Responsibilities Directly supervises staff. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; resolving problems, etc.