Senior Program Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which is dedicated to providing humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on critical sectors such as nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established as an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger-USA currently manages operations in eight countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Cambodia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Somalia. The organization employs approximately 1,500 staff members across its various country offices, with its headquarters located in New York City and an operational center in Nairobi. The organization is anticipating additional growth in its operations and outreach.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading integrated health, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and food security and livelihood projects within Action Against Hunger's operational bases. This role reports directly to the Field Coordinator and is crucial for ensuring high-quality program delivery, compliance with donor regulations, and capacity building for program coordinators and partners. The Senior Program Manager will closely monitor the contextual situation, needs, gaps, and analyze program data to contribute to project proposals aimed at improving service delivery quality and access to essential lifesaving services in host community operational areas. The position also involves providing technical support and supervision to the nutrition, WASH, and food security and livelihood teams to ensure effective and timely implementation of programs. The Senior Program Manager will engage with various stakeholders, including local partners and UN agencies, to enhance the organization's efforts in addressing acute malnutrition and promoting a multisectoral approach to combat undernutrition.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: developing and overseeing implementation plans, budgets, human resources, and procurement for new and ongoing awards in coordination with the Capital Technical Team and the Field Coordinator; conducting context and needs assessments to inform design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design; ensuring program adherence to organizational policies, child safeguarding, confidentiality, and quality standards; maintaining administrative and programmatic documentation in compliance with donor requirements; supporting logistical needs for efficient implementation; ensuring quality implementation of nutrition, health, WASH, and food security interventions; providing mentoring and coaching to field teams; strengthening referral systems for malnutrition and medical cases; identifying training needs and organizing capacity-building sessions; promoting integration with other sectors like protection and gender; ensuring the availability and proper utilization of standard manuals and guidelines; preparing quality grant reports; identifying risks in program delivery and developing mitigation strategies; mentoring and developing program coordination teams; and acting as a liaison with local stakeholders and representing the organization at coordination meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in agriculture, health, nursing, nutrition, or a related field, along with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. Experience in managing donor-funded projects, particularly with organizations such as USAID, ECHO, and UNICEF, is essential. Knowledge of national and global nutrition and health policies is also required. Experience working with international NGOs (INGOs) is preferred, as is a strong commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field such as agriculture, health, nursing, nutrition, or a related discipline. This advanced degree is critical for understanding the complexities of the programs managed by the Senior Program Manager and for ensuring effective leadership and oversight of the various initiatives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in program management, particularly in the humanitarian sector. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing donor-funded projects and should be familiar with the operational challenges and requirements of working in complex environments, particularly in the context of health and nutrition interventions.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for communication and documentation purposes. Additionally, proficiency in local languages, such as Amharic, is desirable and can enhance the effectiveness of the Senior Program Manager in engaging with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and requires a commitment to working at least five days per week. The Senior Program Manager must be available to work outside of normal office hours or on weekends as needed and should be prepared for travel as required for both domestic and international business purposes. The role may involve exposure to precarious settings with high security risks and basic living conditions, as well as potential exposure to infectious diseases. The organization is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and adheres to strict safeguarding policies to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.