Programme Manager at VSF Germany

Overall responsibilities of the Programme Manager

• The Programme Manager is responsible for providing overall technical and managerial leadership and implementation; ensuring timely achievements of projects outputs, results and objectives with highest quality;
• This position will be based in North Horr with regular field visits to project locations and the Marsabit coordination office to strengthen the field teams and participation in the technical humanitarian forums related to the project at County levels, with particular emphasis on increasing the project’s technical network and profile in Marsabit County.
• As a key program technical person, the PM will liaise with host government officials, and UN/multi-sector coordination focal points, representing the project in all relevant sector coordination meetings and provide feedback/advice to field program staff and the Country Director (CD).
• The PM has direct responsibility for design and development of tools for ensuring quality of project(s) implementation in compliance with donor requirements in a timely and effective manner.
• He/She will review Technical Project(s) reports from Project Managers/officers to ensure technical quality and compliance with donor and VSFG guidelines before submission to the Country Director.
• He/She will review Financial Project(s) reports from Project Finance Officer(s) at field level to ensure accuracy of expenditure and compliance with budget plan(s) before submission to the Country Finance Officer for further action.
• As a member of the Country Management Team, the PM will assist the CD in shaping the strategic direction in Marsabit County to ensure the program meets the quality desired and implementation targets. This included holding monthly management meetings at the field office to plan and share information. S/he will directly supervise the technical project managers, Project Officers, field finance team, support staff and responsible for capacity building of staff through mentoring.

Specific keys roles

• Strengthening the Program’s Networking and Coordination
  • Coordinate with stakeholders- Government departments, international agencies and NGOs on the program activities in Marsabit County.
  • Attend relevant project sector technical coordination meetings
  • Facilitate clear and technical linkages between Nairobi and the field ensuring adequate participation of VSFG in coordination forums.
• Leadership
  • Assist the CD in solving technical issues and shaping the strategic direction of the Project in Marsabit, ensuring quality delivery of project activities.
  • Support in developing project monitoring and reporting tools and effectively support delivery of planned activities
  • Assess the needs and propose potential areas of project expansion; sectors, locations, as appropriate.
  • Participate in Project Team meetings contributing to problem-solving and decision-making on strategic and technical issues.
  • Review technical project documents; narrative and financial reports, information leaflets and brochures produced for visibility to ensure technical quality.
  • Conduct performance technical appraisals for technical project staff.
• Project Development
  • With support from CD lead negotiations with County and local authorities in the project(s) locations, with staff, community and partners.
  • Facilitate interactions between the Field Programs key staff, to secure support from in-county actors – NGOs, FAO, etc.
  • Proactively analyze humanitarian trends and opportunities, and facilitate needs assessment in a timely manner for adjustment in the project.
  • Follow up with project managers/project officers for key lessons for dissemination to relevant stakeholders and donors.
  • Jointly with staff and stakeholders develop an exit strategy to ensure the sustainability of project(s) achievements
  • Project technical Implementation and Accountability
  • Ensure the projects under his/her management are aligned with VSFG Country Strategy, sectoral standards and humanitarian and development guidelines in the county.
  • Provide guidance and support to staff/local partners to ensure technical quality in implementation of the project(s).
  • Monitor project(s) implementation and prompt reporting and resolving of issues that are of concern to the project(s).
  • Liaise with M&E Officer to ensure that adequate M&E tools and harmonized methodologies for monitoring and reporting are in place. Provide monthly monitoring reports.
  • Monitor budget with Country Accountant and Project Accountant(s) for compliance with donor requirements and VSFG financial guidelines.
  • Provide opportunities for effective learning and sharing of innovations through meetings among project teams.
  • Conduct regular visits to project locations to monitor project performance and report on progress to CD.
  • Provide feedback to staff on project progress and gaps identified for improvement and capacity building as necessary.
• Technical Reporting.
  • Design and manage plans of reporting for all grants and ensure contribution from staff during reporting.
  • Review narrative and financial reports from project manager(s)/Project Officer(s) to ensure quality and conformity with VSFG and donor guidelines before submission to donor.
  • Provide regular project updates to CD and /or HQ for sharing with stakeholders at higher levels and submission to donor.

Qualifications, skills and experience we are seeking

• Essential: At least a Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Medicine, or Animal Production with experience supporting animal health programs. A Master’s degree qualification will confer an added advantage.
• 5-7 years’ INGO experience in humanitarian and development work with roles in program design, development, and accountability.
• Strong leadership skills, experience in planning and management of programs and ability to manage change.
• Knowledge of humanitarian response and development, program concepts frameworks, standards and strategies.
• Proficient in developing project logical frameworks, M&E systems and implementation in community settings.
• Demonstrated experience in program design, planning and implementation using participatory methodologies.
• Proven skills in communications, presentation, inter-personal relations with fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience in implementing projects funded by institutional donors such as EU, ECHO, UN-OCHA, FAO, BMZ, etc will be of added value.
• Experience in working and coordinating with NGOs, government agencies and local stakeholders.
• Experience working in ASAL areas or similar environments preferred.