Job announcement – Program Manager Humanitarian Aid

  • 19/09/2023
  • Opportunities
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  • Job announcement – Program Manager Humanitarian Aid

    Qualifications and Experience:
    Relevant university degree at Master’s level or other relevant experience
    Proven track record of leading teams;
    Minimum 5 years of work experience in the HA sector at senior management level in designing, managing and implementing internationally financed cooperation projects;
    Track record in successful acquisition and implementation of internationally funded projects (in consortia, through partner organisations and self-implemented);
    Profound knowledge of HA operations including handling ECHO contracts;
    Strong commitment to a Human right based approach and readiness to closely cooperate with the Development Cooperation (Social Inclusion) team on triple nexus;
    Proven will and skill to coordinate and work in cooperation and consortiums with other agencies and state authorities.

    Skills and Capabilities:
    Team leadership and management skills;
    Excellent communication, representation and networking skills and interest;
    Experience and strong capabilities in strategy development and programme implementation;
    Excellent analytical, conceptual and writing skills;
    Sound financial management skills;
    Working attitude characterized by initiative, integrity, effectiveness, cooperation, participation, and respect;
    Sound ICT skills;
    Experience in working in fragile contexts;
    Available for extended local, national and international travel;
    Experience with security management;
    Mandatory English skills, local language depending on the context.

    Job description:

    Strategic and operational leadership for the Humanitarian Programme managed by HEKS/EPER Romania team in Romania and abroad in cooperation with HEKS/EPER HQ.
    He/she is responsible for the programme development and its effective and efficient implementation with the respective operational and strategic partners (ECHO). He/she has the overall responsibility for the finances of the Humanitarian Aid Programme of HEKS Romania. Further, his/her tasks include building the capacities and leading the local HA team. Equally, he/she is responsible for acquiring necessary funds for the Humanitarian Aid Programme of HEKS Romania through grant acquisition and ensuring the visibility of HEKS/EPER. Maintaining strong cooperation with HEKS/EPER Switzerland is essential.

    Implementation Structure
    In close coordination with the CD Romania develop and ensure the necessary team structure and capacities needed for an effective development and implementation of the HA programme.
    In close coordination with CD Romania, organise the administrative management and supervision of the HA Department and ensure compliance with local legal administrative requirements.

    Programme and Project Management
    Lead the development of a relevant, substantial, and strategic humanitarian aid response in line with HEKS/EPER strategy and ensure coherence with HEKS/EPER’s approaches, concepts and financial specifications.
    Manage a well-balanced project portfolio, including the selection of strategic and operational partners and/or direct implementation. Responsibility of overall project management of selected projects.
    Analyse and be familiar with the local and national context in Romania and the region and adapt the programme accordingly.
    Ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the HA programme compliant with all standards and procedures of HEKS/EPER through participative monitoring, evaluation, learning and steering. Include HEKS/EPER’s own or external specialists where needed.
    Ensure concise and analytical annual programme and financial reports as well as the annual planning for review by CD Romania and the Head of Humanitarian Aid.
    Review projects implemented by partner organisations or self-implemented projects, ensuring high-quality standards.
    Approve projects up to defined financial competencies, or prepare them accordingly for the HEKS/EPER internal approval.
    Advise and assist partner organisations (when the case) with attaining the set project goals and support them with their own organisational development.
    Ensure that the costs of the HA department are well balanced with the impact/results and volume of the HA projects.
    Cooperate closely with colleagues from development cooperation to develop triple nexus approaches, including elements of social inclusion and cohesion

    Finances
    Assume final responsibility for the HA CO finances and projects according to the FFAG.
    Ensure tight budget follow-up and respective reporting.
    Coordinates with the Financial Director and CD the financial flow from HEKS Switzerland and other donors.
    Coordinate with the Financial Director the quarterly/monthly consolidation and request funds from HEKS Switzerland
    Ensure annual audits of HA projects and an appropriate follow-up of audit findings and recommendations.
    Ensure adequate financial risk management, ensuring compliance and anti-corruption policies.

    Acquisition and Fundraising
    Ensure project funding through acquisition and develop and implement a national acquisition strategy based on the donor landscape.
    Proactively engage with donors at the local and national levels and coordinate donor engagement with the HEKS Switzerland Acquisition team and the Romania Country Director.
    Establish and maintain close cooperation with other actors in the country, including international and local NGOs, businesses, public authorities and research institutions, for joint resource mobilization in consortia.
    Ensure the development of proposals for bilateral and multilateral donors as well as foundations, taking into account HEKS/EPER’s quality standards and procedures.
    Ensure high-quality grant management and reporting compliant with donor requirements.

    Leadership, Coaching, Human Resources, Security Management
    Implement HEKS/EPER’s mission statement, values, and policies.
    Apply for a caring and supporting role, creating an atmosphere of open and constructive dialogue and coaching the staff in their professional development, leading to high performance.
    Lead and supervise the team and ensure compliance with local laws and obligations, the guidelines, and the institutional governance of HEKS/EPER.
    Mentor and coach the HA staff in HEKS Romania in the main HA principles, HA operations, HA thematic specificities (including CASH programming), donor management, etc.
    Foster an environment that motivates innovation and creativity.
    Jointly with the Country Director is participating in the recruitment process of new employees of the HA department, negotiating contracts and job descriptions as well as salaries according to FFAG and the HEKS Romania salary scale.
    Responsible for the overall security and safety management of HEKS/EPER’s HA staff in Romania.

    Representation, Networking, and Learning
    When appointed or necessary the PMHA can represent HEKS/EPER towards the government, the public and other international stakeholders, regional and local organisations, consortiums and networks including the Act Alliances structures and ECHO.
    Encourage networking and exchanges of experience, create connections within the CO, among partners, grassroots organisations, other groups and with governmental bodies.
    Ensure learning and knowledge sharing in the country and contribute to HEKS/EPER’s global cooperation strategy, policy development and learning.
    Participate in internal and external events when necessary (GC Forum, Regional Meetings).
    Provide relevant information and communication materials to HEKS/EPER Communications on request and on their own initiative.

    We offer:
    A national position with a duty station in our office in Cluj, Romania with occasional field visits.
    An opportunity to make a difference in this world.
    An interesting and challenging position with flexible working conditions.
    An interesting salary package and a nice work office.
    Fixed-term contract of one year, renewable.Preferred start date: ASAP

    Description of the company:

    HEKS/EPER Romania Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization active worldwide and present in the city of Cluj since 2015. The mission of the Foundation is to assist marginalized people and vulnerable groups of society in Romania and abroad – Particularly in the areas of development cooperation and emergency assistance. HEKS/EPER Romania is part of HEKS/EPER, Swiss Church Aid, which supports projects designed to combat hunger, poverty, and injustice in over 30 countries on four continents. HEKS/EPER also provides worldwide humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts and supports the Church’s diaconal work in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
    As part of the expansion of its Humanitarian Aid activities, HEKS/EPER Romania is actively looking for his/her new:
    Admin & HR Officer, Humanitarian Aid, Romania, 100%

    Are you interested? We are looking forward to your complete application documents in English or French (CV, Cover letter). Only online applications will be considered.

    For further information about HEKS/EPER, please consult our website https://en.heks.ch/.