Description Action Against Hunger is part of the Action Against Hunger International network
which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition
health
water/sanitation
and food security. Action Against Hunger
an independent NGO
currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya
South Sudan
Somalia
Tanzania
Uganda
Haiti. Action Against Hunger has over $100 million in programs
and approximately 1
500 permanent staff based in New York City
Washington D.C
Nairobi
and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated. Job Summary Action Against Hunger-USA seeks a regional Project Director to lead the coordination and implementation of the project “Multisectoral humanitarian response to the deteriorating nutrition situation in sub-Saharan Africa
focusing on severely affected crisis contexts”. The project is funded by the GFFO (German Federal Foreign Office) and implemented in four countries (Uganda
Somalia
Ethiopia and South Sudan) with a portfolio of 6 million Euros. S/he will oversee and ensure that implementation with Action Against Hunger countries and their respective local partners and field-level teams have the required level of support
guidance
and information to implement the project to high standards
coordinating and communicating effectively with internal and external contacts and ensure follow up and support where required. Working in close collaboration with HEARO programs and Operations teams
partner organizations
the relevant line ministries at both federal and state levels and other stake holders
the Project Director will play a key role in ensuring that the project is implemented to a high technical standard and is in full alignment with the program outcomes and overall objectives as well as ACF’s strategy and protocols. The GFFO Program Director will directly line manage one GFFO program officer and will work in close cooperation with country specific GFFO project focal points and consequently undertake regular field visits to assess progress and identify technical quality and/or other implementation issues. Purpose He/she will be responsible for ensuring donor compliance
timely submission of high-quality reports and other requested documents
activities and finance
notably budget forecasts (BFUs)
budget planning and development and follow-up. S/he will be supported by the HEARO-PDQ consisting of the Nutrition and Health specialist
Water Hygiene and Sanitation specialist (WASH)
Food Security and Livelihoods specialists (FSL)
the MEAL coordinator
Capacity Building and Knowledge Management specialists (CBKM)
the Advocacy and Communication specialists and other HEARO departments such as Business development
finance
and logistics amongst others. The Project Director will work under the oversight of the Regional PDQ
the Uganda Country Director and Action Against Hunger Germany’s GFFO Africa Project Manager. Engagement The GFFO Project Director will play a central role in ensuring the successful implementation of a multi-sectoral nutrition and food security project across four countries: Uganda
Somalia
Ethiopia
and South Sudan. S/he will work closely with Action Against Hunger country offices
local partners
and stakeholders to coordinate project activities
manage resources
and achieve program objectives. Delivery The GFFO Project Director will be responsible for delivering high-quality results through effective program management
monitoring
reporting
and financial oversight. This includes leading the development of work plans
budgets
and monitoring frameworks; ensuring adherence to donor compliance and quality standards; and producing timely and informative reports for internal and external stakeholders. Essential Duties I. Program and Quality: Ensure the project aligns with the proposal
work plan
budget
and Action Against Hunger's strategic goals. Implement effective monitoring and quality control measures · Oversee the implementation of the multi-sectoral/country project
ensuring it aligns with the narrative proposal
logical framework
work plan and budget and the knowledge and Innovation Hub department’s strategic goals. · Ensure knowledge and adherence to humanitarian quality standards and donor compliance. Including effective
transparent
and responsive compliance mechanisms · Develop detailed project work plans
budgets
and monitoring mechanisms to track progress and achieve project objectives jointly with the respective country focal. · Ensure adaptive approach within program team
ensuring regular review of programmatic data and beneficiary and community feedback
to remain responsive to needs
preferences
and changing context. · Conduct timely review of program delivery against GFFO project goals
outcomes and outputs as well Action Against Hunger Standards. · Proactively identify
assess
monitor and implement measures to reduce or control risks that may impact program delivery
quality or compliance. II. Coordination
Representation and Advocacy: Coordinate with stakeholders
lead project reviews
represent Action Against Hunger in meetings
and advocate for project goals · Coordinate with relevant stakeholders
including ACF Germany
country offices
collaborates
and government authorities
to ensure effective project implementation and adherence to agreed-upon standards. · Lead regular project review meetings and provide high-level updates on progress
risks
and potential mitigations on regular basis to Action Against Hunger Germany’s GFFO Africa Project Manager
the PDQ-HEARO and relevant stakeholders on project status
challenges
and achievements. · Working closely with the GFFO country focal
and Head of departments (Nutrition
FSL
WASH
MEAL
Advocacy/Communications)
to lead the development of technically sound programmatic work plans and spending plans
reviewing plans regularly and proposing adaptations as needed. · Liaise regularly with Action Against Hunger field staff
sectoral Coordinators to promote intra-organizational learning to promote effective implementation of projects in country. · Working closely with the MEAL Coordinator
ensure high quality data is collected
key program lessons are mapped and adequately documented and find opportunities for evaluations and quality improvement. · Attend national
Regional and global level sector-based and resilience meetings and other workshops
working groups
and coordination forums as required to analyze and present current program data in creative new ways to influence discussions on GFFO implementation and foster close coordination and collaboration. III. Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor project progress
consolidate reports from implementing countries
and submit high-quality reports to donors on time · Ensure regular monitoring of work plans and progress of activities on grants
actively participating in Project Cycle Meetings
including Project Design Meetings
Project Opening Meetings
Project Implementation Meetings
Project Learning Meetings
and Grant Closing Meetings. · Lead the consolidation (from the 4 Implementing Countries) and production of high-quality narrative and financial donor reports to Action Against Hunger Germany’s GFFO Africa Project Manager as per agreed-upon schedules (monthly
quarterly
and/or annually) on grant activities
indicators and achievements
ensuring that all internal and external reporting requirements are met
are of high quality and are submitted on time. · Undertake regular field visits to assess progress and identify technical quality issues and/or other implementation issues
provide solutions and implement modifications as required. · Ensure reporting templates are shared in a timely manner with respective staff responsible for developing reports and are supported to generate quality reporting. · Facilitate regular project assessments and evaluations to measure progress and impact against predefined indicators and targets and utilize monitoring data to identify areas for improvement and learning
and incorporate lessons learned into project planning and implementation. · Ensure that project documentation
including reports
case studies
and success stories
is organized and accessible for internal and external purposes. IV. Finance & Compliance Management: Ensure efficient and transparent use of resources
manage budgets effectively
and comply with donor regulations · Ensure that program resources
including financial
are used effectively and transparently and to achieve program objectives · Work closely and coordinate with Action Against Hunger Supply chain
finance and grant teams to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures. · Work closely with the Regional and Country Finance focal for budget authority to pre-approved limits and responsibility for budget development and compliance under the guidance of the Action Against Hunger Germany’s GFFO Africa Project Manager. · Regularly monitor grant expenditures to ensure that spending is on track and to proactively identify and address any expected under/overspend · Ensure promptly response to all budget holders-related inquiries in collaboration with grants and finance teams Action Against Hunger Germany’s GFFO Africa Project Manager regarding issues relating budget management. · Collaborate with the finance team to prepare accurate and timely financial reports for submission to the donor and internal stakeholders. V. Teamwork and Capacity Building: Provide leadership and guidance to the project team
identify capacity-building needs
and organize training sessions · Provide leadership and guidance to the project team
fostering collaboration. · Identify capacity-building needs for project staff. · Organize relevant training and coaching sessions for capacity development. · Foster a positive and inclusive work environment for the project team. · Delegate tasks effectively and provide ongoing support to team members. · Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration within the project team. · Recognize and appreciate team member contributions and achievements. · Encourage a culture of continuous learning and professional development. VI. Technical Expertise: Share knowledge on best practices in nutrition emergencies
gender
protection
and SBC with country offices and project teams · Share knowledge on best practices in nutrition emergencies with country offices and project teams. · Provide guidance on effective implementation of Gender and Protection mainstreaming strategies. · Offer expertise in Social Behavior Change (SBC) communication for improved program impact. · Support the development and implementation of culturally appropriate interventions. · Stay updated on the latest developments in nutrition
food security
and humanitarian response. · Conduct training sessions and workshops on relevant technical topics for project staff. · Identify and promote innovative approaches to address program challenges. · Contribute to the development of technical guidelines and resources for Action Against Hunger VII. Proposal Development and Resource Mobilization: Collaborate on proposals for new humanitarian response initiatives and support the development of resources for complementarity · Collaborate on proposals for new humanitarian emergency response initiatives. · Identify potential donors and funding opportunities aligned with project goals. · Support the development of toolkits
guidelines
and resources for regional operations. · Contribute to fundraising efforts to secure resources for Action Against Hunger programs. Gender Equality Commitments · Ability to foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men
and equal access to information. · Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance. · 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 for all cultures. 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 many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis. · 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working Conditions
Travel and Environment · The duties of the job require regular job attendance in HEARO/HQ as well as field visits
attendance to external meetings and conferences · Must be available to work and travel outside normal office hours or on the weekends as needed or required. · Must be able to travel by coach fare for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the country project sites. · 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 as to infectious diseases. Required Qualifications · A master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in a related field (Nutrition
Public Health
Humanitarian action
International Cooperation
Project Management)
or related areas. Demonstrable knowledge and at least 5 years of practical work experience
preferably with non-profit or NGO within international humanitarian . Requirements