Signature Program Technical Lead 58 views

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

FUNCTION

The Signature Program Technical Lead provides overall leadership and management of Country Office programs (the “Program(s)” or “Project(s)”), including leading the planning, design, development, implementation, donor reporting, and field-level management, while ensuring the highest standards in compliance with obligations and results according to signed agreements. S/he, therefore, enforces quality assurance with assigned Projects and is responsible for the quality and performance of work of all relevant Program staff, sub-recipients, and sub-contract service providers.

The major focus of the role of the Signature Program Technical Lead is to carefully guide the implementation of assigned Projects (in line with Project strategy), to achieve Project objectives. S/he will maintain focus on management, communication, and strategy and drive towards sustainability that achieves scale, permanent change, and impact through long-term partnerships.

With the support of the Country Director, the Signature Program Technical Lead shall lead the process of developing and growing the Country Office’s Programs, to reflect a fair balance in the Project portfolios

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:

Drives results, accountability, manage complex environments, excellent and effective communication, resourcefulness, manage conflict, team player

RESPONSIBILITIES

(Including approximate percentage effort)

A. Program Management and Oversight (30%)

• Provide strategic Program leadership and excellent management of the approved Projects, schedules, and budgets. Maintain excellent oversight of all Project components and meet expectations for Project success.
• Ensure that Project managers and Project coordinators execute approved work plan activities and operations in response to technical direction and recommend adjustments as appropriate, to achieve Project objectives.
• Effectively manage Project risks in each phase of Project implementation in a timely manner, to ensure fulfillment of objectives.
• Effectively maintain strong communication with all the relevant stakeholders throughout Project implementation and successfully manage a   matrix   Project management structure when necessary.
• Ensure accountability and compliance with donor requirements.
• Provide Program-related reports and make presentations, as may be required.

B. Program Planning and Budgeting (10%)

• Support all Project teams to develop annual budgets and work plans, consistent with Project documents and donor contracts.
• Support Project teams in undertaking the necessary review and updating of the work plans and budgets to respond to emerging field implementation challenges and Project review processes.
• Support the development of the Country Office’s Program framework.

C. Budget Management and Monitoring (10%)

• In liaison with HPI’s finance department, undertake quarterly budget monitoring and variance analysis with all Program managers and coordinators, and support the Projects in reviewing and tracking spending to adhere to annual budgets.
• Support Program managers and the Country Office to plan and undertake corrective management actions arising out of budget monitoring reports.
• Approve   Program-related requests for consistency and reconciliation, in line with work plans and financial management procedures.

D. Program Reporting (15%)

• Review regular quarterly, semi, and annual reports from the Program managers and Project coordinators and support them to comply with requirements of quality reporting and timeliness.
• Review donor reports from the Program Country   Office managers and Project coordinators to ensure they comply with requirements in terms of quality and timelines and ensure these are of the highest standards.
• Compile quarterly   Program reports to provide oversight of the Country Office implementation.
• Compile HPI’s annual report.

E. Program Development and Fundraising (20%)

• Provide leadership to the Program development work to grow and develop the Country Office’s Programs portfolio.
• Support the Country Office’s fundraising work through background information gathering, concept development, and proposal development.
• Support field teams in ensuring that the Country   Office’s interventions are appropriately designed and benefiting correctly targeted beneficiaries and creating the desired impact with participants.
• Maintain data and ensure research is up to date on focus value chains.

F. Personnel Management (10%)

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of experts to achieve Program objectives and results and meet all requirements and obligations.
• Motivate staff to perform effectively toward Program objectives, through communication, and team building, and define personnel needs and scopes of work; evaluate work done by team members, and conduct performance reviews.
• Define personnel needs and scope of work, evaluate work done by team members, and conduct performance reviews.

G. Any Other Assigned Function (5%)

• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by supervisor(s).

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in agriculture, social sciences, or business administration, ten to
• fifteen (10-15) years of program management experience with at least five (7) years in leadership on projects.
• Ability to manage large, complex programs in market systems development (MSD) and value chain development.
• Experience working with governments, the private sector, and local institutions.
• Experience working with INGOs and
• Experience in proposal development.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Good understanding of annual work planning and budgeting across complex programs.
• Ability to use monitoring and evaluation data to ensure program targets are met.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, and the environment.
• Ability to manage teams by addressing conflicts amongst diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience in working with various commodities and value chains.
• Proficiency in Market Systems Development (MSD) Approach
• Strong communication skills across different teams in a matrix reporting structure.
• Ability to transition projects to scale with a high degree of permanence of impact.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities, and implications to community development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of strategic planning processes.
• 12 Demonstrate creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully, and diplomatically with culturally diverse groups of people.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Preparing and presenting program reports and presentations in a well-designed and attractive
• format with superior attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of line-managed staff and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
• Proven team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with diverse staff.
• Regularly conduct a stakeholder analysis to strengthen “partnerships” and leveraging of resources.
• Constant face-to-face, telephone, and virtual communication with colleagues and the public to scale up country program visibility and publicity.
• May require constant sitting; working at a computer, focusing for extended periods, and performing office work in the field and/or in remote conditions; Ability to travel to the filed
• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting strict deadlines.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• MS Office: Word, Excel, PPT, and Microsoft Project.