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 various countries, focusing on health, education, livelihoods, and disaster response. The organization emphasizes inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and sustainability in its operations, ensuring that the needs of marginalized groups are met. RI has a diverse workforce and collaborates with local and international partners to implement effective programs.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager for Eastern Sudan will lead the delivery of RI’s multi-sector program portfolio across the region, ensuring that projects are executed on time, within budget, and in compliance with donor and national requirements. This role involves providing leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from start-up to close-out, and requires close coordination with various teams including program, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), technical, finance, and HR. The Program Manager will also focus on strengthening the capacity of staff and partners, supporting adaptive management, and effectively managing risks in a complex humanitarian context. The position demands a proactive approach to ensure high-quality programming and accountability in all operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will be responsible for the overall management of all project components in Eastern Sudan, ensuring that targets are met on time, within scope, and budget. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading project start-up and close-out processes, ensuring effective internal coordination and timely submission of high-quality donor reports.
• Developing and implementing an internal communication plan to keep teams aligned and informed.
• Ensuring timely procurement planning and coordination with the Supply Chain during project implementation.
• Supporting the Grants and Partnership teams in managing partnerships with NGOs, including compliance monitoring and capacity strengthening.
• Serving as the budget holder, ensuring expenditures align with approved budgets and comply with RI and donor policies.
• Collaborating with MEAL to implement monitoring systems that ensure data quality for decision-making.
• Managing day-to-day performance of staff, fostering a collaborative team culture, and integrating staff care and well-being into the work environment.
• Promoting gender-sensitive and inclusive programming, embedding safeguarding in all activities, and ensuring clear reporting pathways for concerns.
• Modeling RI’s Code of Conduct and ensuring that team members uphold the safety and dignity of the communities served.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess a Master’s degree in public health, International Development, Project Management, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 5 years of progressive technical and program management experience in humanitarian or development settings, with a minimum of 3 years managing grants in fragile or conflict-affected contexts. Proven experience in managing institutional donors such as UN agencies and USAID is essential, along with strong compliance and budgeting skills. The candidate should also have a solid understanding of MEAL and experience in multi-sector programming, particularly in areas such as WASH, Nutrition, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Livelihoods, Health, or Protection.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have 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 crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and effectively managing programs in challenging environments.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in technical and program management within humanitarian or development contexts. At least 3 years of this experience should involve managing grants in fragile or conflict-affected areas. The candidate should demonstrate strong program management skills across multi-sector programming and have experience in building partner capacity and oversight.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for communication with stakeholders and reporting. Proficiency in Arabic is desirable, as it will facilitate better engagement with local communities and partners in Sudan.

Additional Notes:
This position involves regular travel across Eastern Sudan, subject to security and access conditions. The role is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks and enhanced due diligence. The Program Manager will report to the Deputy Country Director for Programs in Sudan and will have direct reports including Project/Program Coordinators and field program staff. The budget responsibility for this role exceeds 15 million USD, highlighting the significant impact and scope of the position.