Program Manager

1. ROLE IN THE ORGANIZATION:

Under the Technical guidance of the Country Programme Coordinator, the Base Programme Manager will be responsible for providing program strategy, and technical and managerial leadership for program development in SIF Mission Pakistan at base level Peshawar, KPK, ensuring overall achievement of program goals and objectives, quality outcomes. S/he also ensures overall program quality, effectiveness and accountability, following humanitarian assistance core standards, program sector technical standards, donor requirements, country regulations, and SIF’s organizational mission, standards and operating principles. The Program Manager is responsible for representing Alight in relevant program donor, technical or sector coordination, briefings or similar meetings, and providing feedback/advice to program management and technical team.

The program manager will work under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator and has direct responsibility or oversight for program development, design, and resource acquisition, following high standards, timeliness and effectiveness.

2. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Objective 1: QUALITY PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

• Responsible and accountable for programmes in the area and for the implementation and management of programmes per the Organization’s strategies and policies for quality programming.
• Ensure that technical support is provided to the field teams and timely support from technical specialists and the MEAL team for program design and strategy, M&E, advocacy and planning.
• Contribute to strategy and proposal development within the area under the overall leadership of FC and CPC. Responsible for ensuring that proposals are relevant and contextualized.
• Ensure appropriate systems for all aspects of program cycle management are in place ensuring lessons learned are taken into account.
• Develop and share quality reports in time with the FC and Country program team as per the SIF HQ requirement and donors’ agreement.
• Work closely with the country Program/projects Manager on the annual plan of action (POA) and contribute to devising project activities under the supervision of the country program coordinator and field coordinator.
• Set strategies and operational measures to effectively respond to the needs identified.
• Prioritize project activities issues and define alternative initiatives.
• Provide guidance and direction for effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of agreed plans of such budgets.
• Work closely with inter-departmental functions for program management to ensure timely coordination and compliance around various stages in the Project Cycle Management.
• Coordinate regularly with the Field Coordinator and Program coordinator to ensure timely implementation.
• Work closely with project teams to develop and review operational SOPs for Multi-Sectoral WASH. DRR, Education, and Food security & livelihood projects activities.
• Set up and lead coordination with government authorities and partners for project activities by developing strategic action plans.
• Hold planning and progress review meetings with government counterparts and other relevant partners.

Objective 2: REPORTING

• Timely submission of daily and weekly Progress updates to Field Coordinator and Country Program Coordinator.
• Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual and other program reports prepared are in place and documented in time aligning with project design. 
• Develop reports as and when required.
• Compile and maintain proper record keeping of Project activities in hard files and soft databases.
• Responsible for maintaining records of internal and external communication including emails, letters, and other relevant documents.
• Ensure the project management reporting from step one to the final report submission.
• S/he will report directly to field coordinator & Country Program Coordinator:
• Provide regular reporting on his/her activities and weekly updates – numbers of beneficiaries and households visited segregated by age, gender, needs and vulnerability to the Field Coordinator and Program Coordinator upon his/her solicitation.
• To follow up with implementing partners and sub-contractors on progress reports, and submission of reports (Where SIF has Partner(s)).
• Centralize all information gathered in the field and consolidate quantitative and qualitative internal monthly activity reports.
• Prepare intermediary and final narrative Reports into SIF reporting format.
• Capture evidence of good practices regularly.

Objective 3: MONITORING                            

• Develop forms and records to document project activities and measure their impact.
• Archive all the data including activity reports, assessments, completion reports, pictures, IEC material etc.
• Update project PMPs and report on the activities.
• Make frequent field visits to project areas to monitor implementation of activities,
• Identify opportunities and constraints to adjust collectively the activity implementation if needed

Objective 4: TEAM COORDINATION

• Define and update the human resources needs for his/her program.
• Contribute to recruiting staff (job descriptions, CVs, tests, and interviews).
• Ensure daily coordination of all relevant staff.
• Ensure the needed capacity building of his/her team, with resources available internally.
• Ensure good communication – coordination – and information level of each member of his/her team through weekly and monthly coordination meetings and report to the Field.
• Ensure feedback mechanism between different sectors and his/her staff, and towards them about issues raised in the field.
• Ensure conflict resolution (personal and professional) within his/her team and inform the Field Coordinator.
• Coordinate activities with local authorities, community members, other implementing actors and partners at the local level.
• Maintain coordination and appropriate information sharing and communication lines with partners and stakeholders at the field level to avoid duplication and maximize synergies.
• Regularly monitor project activities and provide timely inputs and feedback to the Field Coordinator and country program coordinator.

Objective 5: REPRESENTATION

• Represent SIF in meetings, advocate and promote program goals and objectives, and communicate with major partners on policies.
• Liaise with other institutions and organizations.
• Represent SIF vis-à-vis local authorities in the area of intervention for all issues linked to the program, in coordination with the Field Coordinator and Program Coordinator.

Objective 6: BUDGET FOLLOW UP

• Development of forecast for the projects and overseeing effective financial management of the programme’s grant/s and activities, with the support of the Field Coordinator.

• Monitor the budget follow-up of his/her program.

Objective 7: LOGISTIC

• Participate in the elaboration of the projects’ procurement plans, according to the thresholds and procurement processes.
• Plan movements and needs for vehicles for his/her program.
• Work closely with the logistics team through follow-up on project-related procurements, processing and submission of approved purchase requests.

ESSENTIAL

• Substantial experience in project management, proposal writing, and report writing.
• Baseline survey, project review and evaluation are in place according to the schedule.
• Use performance management to ensure high-quality output and performance of staff.
• Develop and ensure appropriate tools and strategies to monitor the progress quality and impact of the project and is implemented. 
• To assist in resolving issues that come up during project implementation.
• Essential experience in different thematic areas e.g. FSAL, DRR, Education and WASH.

3. REQUIREMENTS:

• Master\'s degree or equaling in Social sciences, Master of business administration, Project management, or any other relevant field from a
• Minimum 6 years of previous experience as a Project Manager in the humanitarian and Development sector with INGO, UN, and NGO.
• 5 years’ experience in proposal writing, and project designing.
• Experience in Multi-Sectoral WASH. DRR, Education, and Food security & livelihood projects.
• Demonstrated Results-Based Management and leadership skills, including monitoring and reporting, managing budgets, as well as database management.
•  Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in consultation and liaison with government and non-governmental officials.
• Strong organizational and work planning skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a high-volume work environment with tight deadlines.
• Ability to plan activities and to set clearly defined objectives and high levels of quality/ productivity for self, own team or department.
• Experience in proactively identifying issues and proven problem-solving skills.
• Excellent command of English (speaking and writing).
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office, especially Excel and Word.

Languages:

• Fluency in spoken and written English & local languages is required.