Job Description and Person Specification

Job Title: Program Manager - Civic and Economic Empowerment 

Department: Programme Job Family: Programme

Reports to: Head of Programme Grade: E

Location: Head Office – Jordan

Direct Reports: Not for now but may be added going forward.

Matrix Working :Work in Close Collaboration with MEAL, Communications and Finance Functions.

Job Role:

Role Overview:

This position is responsible for the overall management of ActionAid Arab region (AAAR) Programmes on Civic and Economic Empowerment programmes with a key focus on democratic governance and Economic Empowerment of young men and women in the region. In addition, this role contributes to assessing strategic fit of all programmes under its remit, development of new programmes within the Humanitarian and resilience thematic area, including participation in relevant INGO and donor fora (clusters, working groups). Will be responsible for Partnership Development and Management. This role will involve frequent travel in the region.

Areas of Responsibilities Key Activities:

Functional Strategic Plan developmentand Implementation :

•  Manage all programmes in the civic and Economic Empowerment thematic area to implement the regional strategic plan of ActionAid Arab region.
• Contribute to the development of AAAR strategic framework with a strong focus on civic) and Economic Empowerment for youths ·
• Contribute to determine Strategic fit of all programmes before a GO-NO GO decision is made.
• Ensure planning and effective implementation of programme activities in close collaboration with local partners, technical officers and other key stakeholders for the fulfilment for the AAAR region thematic priority ·
• Develop and monitor MoUs with local partners, reflecting mutually agreed roles and responsibilities related to relevant programmes; ·
• Ensure the development of mutually agreed partner capacity support plans;
• Ensure a close collaboration with local partners, including coordination of technical support; 
• Ensure proper systems, tools and mechanisms are in place for the effective implementation of the program.
•  Responsible for the management of All grants related to civic and Economic Empowerment theme, e.g DAPP and any other programme in the theme as assigned by the management; 
• Ensure close coordination with Head of Programme and Head of Finance related to grant management

System Development Update and Compliance :

•  Ensure that ActionAid’s Key Policies (safeguarding, Whistle Blowing, Anti Fraud and Corruption) are complied with by partners and programmes implemented under the relevant themes.  
• Ensure compliance with donor’ contracts and AAAR policies e.g arranging grant opening meetings with key stakeholders, induction meetings with partners and relevant AAAR staff; 
• Ensure adherence to ActionAid Contract Management System (CMS), which includes regular up-loading of required documents in the CMS. 
• Adherence to AAAR values, principles and Human Rights based approach;
•  Ensure the compliance with AAAR policies and procedures

Financial Management :

•  Ensure effective management of the programme/grant budgets, including, monitoring expenditure and budget forecasting in line with AA Arab Region finance and Administration polices;
• ·Collaborate with Finance Department to ensure that all project expenses are in line with minimum Finance standards

Monitoring &Reporting:

•  Ensure the development of MEAL plans in close coordination with local partners, e.g baseline surveys, regular monitoring, support, and learning visits, annual partner review meetings are conducted and learning documents are developed and are vetted by the MEAL Team; 
• Ensure quality and timely submission of donor and AA Affiliates’ reports;
• Collaborate with ActionAid MEAL team to ensure that all programme learning documents are in compliance with the ActionAid minimum Standards.

Fundraising :

•  Identify scaling up opportunities and new project ideas in line needs on the ground;
• Lead the development of concept notes, programme proposals aligned with AAAR strategic priorities in close coordination with Head of Programme, technical officers and local partners;
•  Engage with key stakeholders (Clusters, working groups, INGO fora) in the thematic areas of work.  
• Close collaboration with Head of Programme (and Regional Director) in the continued development of new types of programmes in Lebanon;

People management:

•   Directly supervise team members – under the relevant grants. 
• Ensure the JDs of new program related positions are updated according to needs in collaboration with Head of Programme and HR focal point; 
• Participate in the recruitment of relevant team members;
• Approve and ensure the effective implementation of individual workplans of staff under line management; 
• Ensure weekly meetings with team member to coordinate efficient workflow;
•  In close coordination with team members, ensure the development of key performance indicators as per performance annual plan;
•  Ensure regular annual and midterm staff appraisals are conducted in line with the AAAR HROD policy and staff development plans are implemented as agreed;
• Support team capacity building on Civic and Economic Empowerment.
• Ensure the team has clear and meaningful understanding of the approach to achieve the intended results;
• Supervise consultants & interns based on the needs of the Programme team

Communication & Public Relations:

•  Coordinate closely with Communication & Campaigns Coordinator on all thematic communication and campaigns issues; e.g. launching major events, key programme activities which are relevant for AAAR communication and campaign plans/ strategies and so on;
• Represent ActionAid in meetings with Government agencies, external stakeholders nationally and internationally in relation to work with young people in Jordan and the region when required 
• Engage with donors, youth and/or decentralization coordination bodies, national & international level meetings and events to highlight AAAR Civic and Economic Empowerment work
• Ensure visibility of AAAR’s work reaches to strategic stakeholders internally and externally.
•  Ensure strategic linkages with stakeholders are in place
• Maintain, develop and nurture new strategic relationships.

Others:

 Any other task assigned by the line manager.

                                                                       Person Specification

Education &Certifications :

•  Bachelor’s degree in social science, politics, or any relevant field ·
• Master’s degree in social science, development studies, political science is preferable.

Essential experience :

•  Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing civic and political programme with a strong focus on youths, preferably within INGO and development sector ·
• Extensive experience in managing programs/projects, including Programme Development and grant management, financial management and budgeting ·
• Experience of managing institutional, bi-lateral and international donor funded projects ·
• Extensive experience in collaborating with local partners ·
• Solid experience in programme development, including proposal writing ·
• Experience managing Civic Engagement and Economic Empowerment Projects.

Essential knowledge :

•  Strong understanding of political context ·
• Strong understanding of Human Rights Based Approach

Essential Skills and aptitude: 

• Demonstrated strong skills in partnership development and management and networking with government, civil society and other stakeholders ·
• People’s management skills and ability to remotely manage team members. ·
• Excellent communication skills with strong sense of team spirit ·
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, working under pressure and deadlines ·
• Result oriented and a team player ·
• Microsoft office skills including but not limited to – Word, Excel, PowerPoint ·
• Compliance with ActionAid Values of Mutual Respect, Equity and Justice, Integrity, Solidarity, Courage of Conviction, Independence and Humility.

Language proficiency :

•  Excellent command of the English & Arabic language both verbal and written.