Program Manager – Eastern Sudan

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is a humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering and supporting vulnerable communities. Established with a mission to provide emergency relief and development assistance, RI operates in multiple countries, focusing on health, education, livelihoods, and disaster response. The organization emphasizes inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in its operations, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most. RI has a diverse workforce and collaborates with local partners to enhance the effectiveness of its programs. The organization is committed to upholding humanitarian principles and values, including neutrality and operational independence, and strives to engage with the most vulnerable communities in the regions it serves.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager for Eastern Sudan will lead the delivery of Relief International's multi-sector program portfolio across the region. This role is critical in ensuring that projects are implemented efficiently, on time, and within budget while adhering to donor requirements and national regulations. The Program Manager will provide leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from start-up to close-out, and will coordinate closely with various teams, including program, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), technical, finance, and HR. The position requires a strong focus on adaptive management, risk identification, and capacity strengthening for both staff and partners. The Program Manager will also be responsible for maintaining high-quality programming in a complex humanitarian context, ensuring that the needs of the communities served are met effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Project Leadership, Oversight & Reporting: Manage all project components to ensure targets are met on time and within scope and budget. Ensure effective internal coordination and timely submission of high-quality donor reports. Lead project start-up and close-out processes, identifying necessary modifications in collaboration with relevant departments. Develop and implement an internal communication plan to keep teams aligned.
• Partnerships Management: Support the Grants and Partnership teams in managing relationships with local and international NGOs, ensuring compliance and capacity strengthening. Facilitate partner assessments and performance oversight.
• Budget & Grants Compliance: Serve as the budget holder, ensuring expenditures align with approved budgets and comply with RI and donor policies. Lead budget monitoring and reforecasting efforts.
• Accountability & Learning (MEAL): Collaborate with MEAL to implement monitoring systems that ensure data quality and timely external reporting. Maintain effective accountability mechanisms and conduct routine field supervision.
• People Management & Capacity Strengthening: Ensure adequate staffing and clear roles, manage performance, and foster a collaborative team culture. Coach and mentor staff, integrating staff care and well-being into the management process.
• Safeguarding, Gender & Inclusion: Embed safeguarding practices in all activities and promote inclusive programming. Train staff and partners on safeguarding measures.
• Behavior & Conduct: Model RI’s Code of Conduct and ensure team members uphold the safety and dignity of communities served.

Required Qualifications:
The essential qualifications for the Program Manager position include:

• A Master’s degree in public health, International Development, Project Management, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive technical and program management experience in humanitarian or development settings, with at least 3 years managing grants in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven experience managing institutional donors such as UN agencies, USAID, and ECHO, with a strong focus on compliance and budgeting.
• Strong program management experience across multi-sector programming, with a good technical understanding of sectors such as WASH, Nutrition, FSL, Health, or Protection.
• Solid understanding of MEAL and its application for adaptive management.
• Demonstrated leadership and coordination skills with multi-disciplinary teams, including remote supervision.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, International Development, Project Management, Humanitarian Affairs, or Social Sciences. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of program management in humanitarian settings and for effectively leading diverse teams.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in technical and program management within humanitarian or development contexts. Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience managing grants in fragile or conflict-affected environments, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver results under pressure.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with donors. Proficiency in Arabic is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local partners and communities in Sudan.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Al Jazirah, Sudan, and requires regular travel across Eastern Sudan states, subject to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and access conditions. The role is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks and enhanced due diligence. The Program Manager will oversee a significant budget of over 15 million USD and will have direct reports, including Project/Program Coordinators and field program staff. The position is full-time and involves a high level of responsibility in managing relationships with various stakeholders, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and maintaining high standards of program delivery.