Head of Programs at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Head of Programs oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing program including planning, organizing, leading, monitoring, and reporting program activities. S/He develops strong partnerships with local stakeholders and authorities, is responsible for coordinating monitoring and evaluation.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE FOR THIS POSITION:

The Head of Programs is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of JRS’s programmatic response, assuring the quality and effectiveness of emergency responses and interventions, as well as its fidelity to the Country, Regional and Internationals strategic plans.

• Program Design and Planning

• Leadership and Management

• Financial Planning

Details:

Management and Leadership:

• Cultivate positive working relationships and develop collaborations with other NGOs,UN agencies, donors, and military stakeholders on the field.
• Undertake in-acting capacity and/or by delegation the responsibilities of the Country Director when he/she is out of office.

Program Planning:

• In association with the Country Director, ensure that response, implementation and exit strategies are developed.
• Oversee project design, implementation and reporting to donors and supervisors as well as working with the CD to ensure continuous funding of programs.
• Plan the delivery of the program activities in accordance with the overall objectives of JRS and donors.
• Suggest and implement initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization.
• Create and implement short- term indicators and long-term objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program
• Assist in the creation of the annual budget and operating plan to support the program.
• Create a program evaluation framework to detect weaknesses and strengths and globally identify areas for improvement and coordinate the execution of this survey.
• Lead and coordinate in developing funding proposals.
• Assist the Country Director in ensuring high-quality, efficient, and transparent planning, utilization and reporting of financial resources made available for JRS Nigeria programs.

Program Organization:

• Create and implement program activities respecting the policies and procedures of the organization
• Create and implement program activities keeping as a first priority the staff safety and security.
• Create and implement program activities respecting all relevant legislation.
• Create and implement monitoring and evaluation tools.

Program Leadership:

• Lead, support, and assist program staff by providing direction, input, and feedback.
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, authorities, and communities, directly and through the program staff: develop the culture of service, accompaniment, and advocacy.
• Liaise with other Project Directors and field staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery.
• Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Monitor the evolution of staff’s activities, ensuring compliance to donor and legal requirements, as well as the ethics and efficacy of programming being implemented.

Program Monitoring:

• Responsible of writing reports on the program for management and for funders.
• Assist the Country Director to ensure correct budget is used at the right time for the right place, according to the set policies and procedures.
• Monitor and review all budgeted program expenditures.
• Evaluate budget needs and reports to the Country Director monthly.
• Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and suggest appropriate action to control the risks
• Report program evaluation findings to the National Director and suggest proposition to improve JRS response
• Evaluate short and long-term needs for the program’s success and growth and ensure that these needs are being met.
• Lead, support, and assist program staff by providing direction, input, and feedback.
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, authorities, and communities, directly and through the program staff: develop the culture of service, accompaniment, and advocacy.
• Liaise with other Project Directors and field staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery.
• Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
• Monitor the evolution of staff’s activities, ensuring compliance to donor and legal requirements, as well as the ethics and efficacy of programming being implemented.
• The Head of Programs also responsible for all other tasks necessary to ensure the quality and timely achievement of projects, as requested by the Country Director.

Education and Experience

• Language skills: Proficient in English with a working knowledge of French.
• Education Degree: Minimum of a Masters’ Degree or its equivalent in Project Management or any related field
• Professional / Work Experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with at least 3 years in a managerial role on similar programs in INGOs, including strong and substantial technical supervisory experience.
• Significant previous experience managing operations for similar programming working with IDPs and Refugees.
• Commitment to JRS mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’ role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value.

Knowledge and Skills

• Good analytical and writing skills. Good management capacities and team leadership spirit, good security management and project management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of MS office.
• Exceptional reporting skills.
• Ability to work in stressful locations.
• Ability to manage teams remotely
• Good knowledge of institutional donor procedures and financial guidelines
• Knowledge of humanitarian actors
• Good management and pedagogical skills
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills to manage relationship in potentially tense situations.
• Capacity to delegate and to supervise the work of a team.
• Good presentation skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization.
• Strong commitment to support/develop capacity of staff.