Back Program Manager

Title

Program Manager

Location

Gaza

Travel

50% of Travel

Job Family and Level

Program Management & Leadership M7

Pre hire checks

This role is classified as requiring pre-employment checks / enhanced due diligence

1. Scope

Responsibility

Area level

Department

Programs

Reporting to

Gaza Area Director

Direct reports

3

Budget responsibility

Yes

Relationship management

Program Team, Country SMT, Support Office

2. Context

Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing.

Our team of more than 7,000 staff and local volunteers work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience.

We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.

Relief International is an alliance of four organizations with one shared mission, comprised of Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK and Relief International-Europe, which operate under a one-team concept under a single senior leadership team.

3. Job Profile

The Program Manager is a strategic and result-oriented leader responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of key assigned projects in Gaza. Success in this position will require strong leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration, adherence to donor requirements, and timely, high-quality reporting.

The post holder is responsible to lead the comprehensive planning and execution of all Gaza-based projects, fostering internal and external collaboration to ensure the successful, timely and compliant delivery of projects.

This position requires an individual who is accustomed to the pace of emergency response programming, has experience in successfully leading a diverse team, is flexible and highly responsive, and excels at building and strengthening relations with external actors.

4. Key Responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

• Manage a complex and diverse portfolio of emergency programs, ensuring alignment with RI's strategic objectives and donor requirements.
• Oversee assigned program budgets, ensuring compliance with RI and donors’ regulations and reporting requirements.
• Lead and motivate a multi-disciplinary team of program and technical staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Responsible and accountable for successful partnership management as pertaining to partners of assigned projects.

  
  

  Program Oversight and Reporting

  • Lead and manage the successful implementation of Relief International's assigned portfolio of emergency programs.
  • Lead and provide overall management to the implementation of all projects’ components ensuring effective, timely, on budget and successful delivery of projects milestones and results, ensuring an appropriate project management framework in line with RI guidelines.
  • Review the short- and long-range plans for delivery of project services and provide guidance to the RI staff and implementing partners to improve planning, management and delivery of quality services or various program components.
  • Responsible for the financial, administrative and operational management of the projects in line with RI policies, rules, standards and procedures, as well as donor requirements – in collaboration with relevant departments.
  • Act as the budget holder for the projects, ensuring that all expenditure are in line with project(s) budget/forecast, and that transactions and documentation comply with RI policies, procedures and minimum standards. Carry out regular budget monitoring and forecasting to ensure spending within the agreed budget parameters.
  • Ensure program quality in coordination with relevant technical advisors and technical team in Gaza for the direct and indirect implementation of the project.
  • Lead the development of donor reports, and collaborates with relevant colleagues (technical advisors, MEAL, awards and partnership and all support functions) to ensure timely submission of high-quality reporting that complies with donor requirements.
  • Develop an efficient internal communication strategy to ensure clear, effective communication with relevant colleagues (project staff, technical advisors and technical teams, MEAL, awards and partnership and support functions) involved in the quality, timely and compliant delivery of the project.
  • Lead, in coordination with the Awards and Partnership Manager the management of project’s partners – ensuring effective monitoring of partners’ activities.
  • In coordination with relevant members of the team, ensure internal and external visibility in line with RI and donor rules and regulations
  • Engage in program development and actively contributes to proposal development initiatives related to Gaza

    Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

    • In collaboration with MEAL team, develop and support effective monitoring and evaluation system to ensure collected data during project(s) implementation are correct, verified, analyzed and utilized for project adaptation.
    • Follow routine data collection and reporting procedures; prepare and ensure submission of all required reports to external stakeholders as required, including but not limited to Clusters, MoH, etc.
    • Carry out field assessment/ monitoring visits for evaluating the effectiveness, identifying problems and providing technical support to staff.
    • Facilitate learning along with MEAL and Technical Team to review implementation and adapt programming accordingly.

      Team Leadership

      • Maintain RI's quality standards, while fostering a positive and collaborative team environment.
      • Directly supervise and mentor project staff, providing clear direction, support, and opportunities for professional development.
      • Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, promoting effective communication and conflict resolution.
      • Conduct performance appraisals, identify training needs, and support the recruitment of new project staff as needed.

        External Representation and Coordination

        • As mandated by the Line Manager and/or Country Director, represent RI at sector working groups, coordination meetings as well during other stakeholder meetings (if relevant), and maintain a positive, continuous and visible presence for RI.
        • In coordination with other members of the team, ensure needed reports are shared with in-country clusters/working group clearly highlighting project’s achievements, challenges, etc.
        • Ensure RI’s mandate is shared and explained to relevant stakeholders.
        • Pro-actively liaise and build rapport with local officials, community representatives, UN agencies, and any other relevant stakeholders.
        • Keep country SMT well-informed regarding developments and emerging issues related to the implementation of the projects.
        • In collaboration with, and as mandated by Line Manager and/or Country Director, seek and maintain strong relationships with donors, providing timely and accurate updates on project progress and financial performance.
        • Contributes to communication and advocacy initiatives

          
          

          Behavior and Conduct

          • Ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies
          • Be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members
          • Ensure own actions and the actions of the teams’ members they manage do not impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve
          • Ensure external stakeholders are aware of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms
          • Report any concerns

            5. Person Specification

            Essential criteria

            • Master's level education in a relevant field or bachelor’s degree with commensurate work experience
            • 3-5 years of progressive experience in project management – preferably in health projects and in emergency/conflict settings
            • Strong knowledge of regulations and experience implementing programs funded by ECHO, UN (UNFPA, UNOCHA, etc.)
            • Excellent organizational, budget, project management, communication and writing skills.
            • Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate staff.
            • Experience working with local and international partners.
            • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with colleagues in a multi-cultural setting.
            • Experience conducting capacity building activities and enthusiasm to share knowledge and information with others.
            • Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage time efficiently.
            • Excellent English oral and writing skills.
            • Proficiency in Arabic

              Desirable criteria

              • Previous experience working in OPT/Gaza or conflict affected areas.
              • Previous experience in managing Health Programs

                RI Values

                Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

                • Integrity
                • Adaptability
                • Collaboration
                • Inclusivity
                • Sustainability