Head of Programs job at Action Against Hunger

JOB DETAILS:
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.
1. Job Summary
The Head of Programs is responsible for the strategic leadership, development and management of Action Against Hunger Uganda’s program and ensure that it effectively aligns and supports efficient operationalization of the country offices’ strategic plan.
Purpose:
The Head of Programs position is charged with developing and implementing Action Against Hunger Uganda’s technical strategy, steer current projects and identify new, creative and innovative opportunities for programming. He/she will provide expertise to and oversight of all program/project related activities and responsibilities to ensure they are efficiently executed;
Engagement:
Actively engage and support the grant acquisition and resource development team to consolidate key partnerships with donors, internal and external stakeholders with a focus on growing the country office’s revenue
Externally, the Head of Program will play a key role in local representation with other International Aid Organizations and Government agencies for exchange of information.
Delivery:
He/she will take lead in the adoption, implementation and strategic reporting on Action Against Hunger global strategic priorities. More importantly, the Head of Program will oversee the quality implementation and delivery of ongoing programming through budget monitoring, quality reporting to Action Against Hunger stakeholders and donors all in line with internal rules and regulations, funding regulations and core values of the organization.
Key to the role is overseeing that monitoring and evaluation of programming informs quality and timely implementation or programs to ensure continuity of funding.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Job Duties
1. Program / Project & Staff Management
• Provides programming support to all field teams – including designing and implementing capacity building programs for program/project staff
• Coordinates staff performance management – ensuring that all program staff set performance objectives/KPIs, receive regular feedback on their performance and appropriate ongoing coaching – in accordance with Action Against Hunger-Uganda HR policies and procedures
• Oversee that all field programs are efficiently executed – meeting and surpassing all donor requirements and targets (both for outputs and outcomes)
• Conduct monthly grant expenditure tracking, financial projections and reports are reviewed, and any concerns are identified and resolved timely
• Liaise with the country office security coordinator to ensure that all program operations meet minimum security standards – including security planning, monitoring, reporting and timely reporting/ resolution of security incidents
1. Strategy Development and Operationalization
• Be accountable to and coordinate the participation of program staff in strategic development processes
• Develops and implements multi-year and annual departmental plans which enable the program team to effectively cascade and achieve Action Against Hunger Uganda’s strategic goals and objectives
• Liaise with country office technical specialists/coordinators to develop and effectively roll-out standardized technical approaches and project models which enhance Action Against Hunger Uganda’s programming expertise, thought leadership and influence
1. Program Monitoring and Evaluation
• Deliver demonstrable impact and take accountability for overall program quality and learning for Action Against Hunger – Uganda country program
• Works with the Head of MEAL to develop, implement and embed a knowledge management system, that will ensure the sharing of knowledge across the programs/ mission
• Ongoing monitoring of the operating context and adaptation of program strategies to enhance ongoing relevance and impact
• Oversee that all programs develop and implement annual work plans and budgets which are regularly updated and executed in line with donor and Action Against Hunger standards
• Together with Regional Program Coordinators develops program and project improvement plans and/or functional dashboard to monitor and track timely submission of key donor deliverables and ensure effective and timely implementation of the projects and program
• Develops, regularly updates and implements an enterprise-wide risk management plan for all programs
• Led in ensuring overall reporting of donor-funded projects, reporting requirements are met and all reports are subjected to rigorous quality assurance processes
• Submits monthly progress reports to the country director – highlighting progress of implementation and impact of all Action Against Hunger supported programs in Uganda
1. Program and Resource Development
• In coordination with the country director and the technical team, mobilizes program staff to develop strategic concepts and plans for program innovation and fundraising in alignment with Action Against Hunger Uganda’s country strategy
• See to it that all project proposals address community needs/include community participation and are in alignment with Action Against Hunger global and country strategic priorities
• Incorporate the input of program staff in all proposal development processes (including needs assessments, selection of technical approaches, budgeting, negotiations with donors, etc)
• Partnership and Collaboration
• Collaborates with other Action Against Hunger Uganda teams - especially logistics, HR and finance to ensure that all programs receive timely support and inputs
• Collaborates closely with all Action Against Hunger-donors – ensuring that donors receive ongoing updates on the progress of the programs they fund; Action Against Hunger provides all information that is requested by donors and; arranges quarterly “catch-up meetings” with all donors
• Under the guidance of the country director, represents Action Against Hunger-Uganda at appropriate UN, donor and NGO meetings and forums
• Oversee that all field coordinators and program managers actively participate in important stakeholder coordination meetings at all levels (especially at national and district levels)
• Lead the process of identifying potential implementation partners and champions the capacity building of all existing partners
• Closely collaborates with regional and HQ program teams to ensure Action Against Hunger Uganda programs remain aligned with Action Against Hunger global strategic priorities and receive ongoing technical support
Supervisory Responsibilities
Line manages the Regional Program/Field Co-ordinators and/or Program Managers to foster program integration, achieve excellence in execution and broaden program impact and sustainability.

REQUIREMENTS
• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Development or any other relevant field.
• Solid experience in strategic planning, program development, project management, monitoring and evaluation
• Extensive experience in facilitating emergency response and integrated rural community development programming and processes
• Solid experience in managing complex programs, large budgets and diverse teams
• Ability to maintain performance expectations and healthy social interactions in psychologically stressful environments and physical hardship conditions with limited resources
• Extensive experience building partnerships with donors, government and other stakeholders including representing a country office in UN and donor coordination mechanisms
• Strong team management skills and experience collaborating with key business partners i.e., finance, HR, supply chain management and ensuring that programs receive timely project support and inputs
• A self-starter who can work independently under pressure and who has ability to management competing priorities without direct supervision

Required Skills & Experience
• 10 years of senior leadership experience involving strategic planning, operations management, fundraising, external engagement/networking in a reputable international organization.
• Experience working with diverse donors such as SIDA, WFP, USAID, EU-Trust Fund, Global Affairs Canada, Swedish Embassy, French Government among others.
• Advanced English language proficiency is a must.
• Strong cross-cultural experience (including leading programs in fragile and stable contexts)
• Demonstrated commitment to Action Against Hunger global core values and development approaches.

OTHERS/EXTRA DETAILS
Physical Demands
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions.
• To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.
VII. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse
• Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 120

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree