Position: Program Manager, West Nile (National Position)

Job location: Arua Office

Starting date: January 2025

Vacancy closing date: 15th September 2024

Duration position: 2 years renewable contract

Working hours: Fulltime (40 hours per week)

About ZOA

We are here for people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

Our work in Uganda

In Uganda, ZOA has offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Gulu), and Karamoja (Amudat). ZOA Uganda works both in relief and recovery on the themes of food security & livelihoods, education, and conflict management with a special focus on land Rights.

ZOA Uganda is looking for a Program Manager to be based in Arua Office.

Your challenge

The Programme Manager (PGM) West Nile is responsible for the realization of project and programmatic goals within ZOA’s West Nile Programme determined by internal and external preconditions in the region. The programme team is based in West Nile, focusing on delivery of livelihoods, Land Rights and education projects.

He/She is a member of the ZOA Uganda Management Team, the team responsible for senior-level decision making and strategic direction within ZOA Uganda. The Programme Manager is authorized and accountable within the framework and limits as defined in the Declaration of Authorization signed by the Country Director and ZOA Country Management Charter.

Reporting to the PGM is Project Managers, Project Coordinators, MEAL Coordinators on projects in the programme area, as well as the Administrator for the programme area (responsible for programme support functions).

The PGM West Nile reports to the Country Director, based in Kampala.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

Leadership of programme

• Responsible for all ZOA activities within West Nile region, but with scope to work in the wider region.
• Spiritual oversight and Christian leadership of the ZOA team in West Nile.
• Participation in country wide programme and knowledge development.
• Member of ZOA Uganda Management Team (MT).
• Implementing partner and strategic partner engagement at programme level.
• Gender and conflict sensitive approach to team management and project activities under her/his responsibility.

Programme Management

• Development of the Programme plan for the respective programme area, with annual review of needs for changes, based on ongoing context analysis and results of annual programme review.
• Annual planning for the programme area, as an input to the Country Plan (CP).
• Planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities as approved by donors with the corresponding project budget planning.
• Liaison with Programme Quality team (led by Manager Programme Quality, Kampala) and relevant sector advisors in Kampala and the Netherlands, to ensure programme quality.
• Project Cycle management, including needs assessments, formulation of concept notes and proposals and budget.
• Reporting – monthly and quarterly activity and financial reporting, including realization of activities versus budget utilisation; (Providing input to) narrative and financial donor reporting.
• Annual review of progress towards programme objectives and outcomes.
• Initiating and maintaining effective working relations with relevant stakeholders at programme area level.

HR/admin/finance

• Budget owner for projects implemented in programme area.
• Approval of expenditures and related cost allocations, on the basis of approved project and programme organisation budgets, according to the table of authorisations and ZOA Management Charter.
• Human Resource Management (at individual- and team level) for programme staff.
• Supervision and periodical evaluation of the performance of the members of the Programme team, according to HR procedures.
• Implementation and monitoring of financial, personnel and security policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with the Manager of Operations, prepare and process the allocation of indirect costs to project budgets.

Security

• Ensures regular analysis on security context and risks pertaining to ZOA programme, and updates on security plans, in line with ZOA’s security management framework.
• Coordinates with other actors in the programme area to share information and relevant security updates, in order to inform ZOA’s security decision making.
• Ensuring compliance at program level with ZOA’s security policies and procedures, including ensuring security incidents are reported using the correct reporting channels within ZOA.
• Monitoring of compliance to ZOA security system by staff and other relevant people for whom the PGM holds security responsibility.

Accountability

• Sensitize all stakeholders (beneficiaries, service providers, partners, government and other) on feedback and complaint mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda.
• Upon receipt of a complaint or feedback, ensure that it is correctly documented following correct reporting procedures.
• Work closely with MEAL team to ensure regular analysis of feedback and complaints registered to inform the program of changes in operational trends and context to help in improving the intervention and adaptive management.

Your profile

Identity

• The candidate is expected to fully support the vision, mission and Christian values 0f ZOA (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Knowledge & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a humanitarian, development or other relevant field.
• At least five years’ field experience in a relief/recovery setting.
• Management experience.
• Familiar with Project Cycle Management.
• Has undertaken leadership role(s) within a Christian team / organization
• Good spoken and written command of English.
• Knowledge of local languages of West Nile is a plus
• Direct experience of programme management and project implementation in the West Nile sub-region is a plus.

Skills:

• Command of operations, including finance, procurement, logistics, HR.
• Analytical, able to participate in strategic level discussions and decisions taking a ‘bigger picture’ approach
• Organisational sensitivity.
• Writing skills, able to write and quality-check reports, proposals, communications materials.
• Effective delegation to other team members with clear objectives, instructions, support given…
• Planning and organising, supporting the team in field planning and operational coordination.
• Participative leadership, consulting team members, taking on board feedback.
• Provides regular feedback, acknowledges success and the need for improvement.
• Coaches, challenges and provides opportunities for growth.

Attitude/behaviour:

• High level of personal integrity.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Able to work under pressures and meet deadlines.
• Able to work in a sometimes fluid and innovative environment.
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Special conditions/circumstances

The PGM West Nile is based in the ZOA office in Arua City. Up to half of the time will be spent undertaking travel in field locations within the programme area, and to other ZOA programme locations/Kampala.

Our offer

• ZOA offers a challenging role in a dynamic context, and you will be part of an inspiring and motivated team.
• We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector.

Do you need more information?

For more information about ZOA, please visit our website www.zoa-international.com.