JOB DESCRIPTION ACTION AGAINST HUNGER USA Operations Team Leader

Transcription

1 Position: Reports to: Location: Director of Operations Action Against Hunger USA, New York office Last update: December 2017 Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides nutritionspecific humanitarian relief and nutrition-sensitive development assistance in more than 40 countries worldwide. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in eight (8) countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cambodia, Tanzania, Uganda, Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has more than $60 million in programs, and approximately 1,500 permanent team members based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated. I. Job Summary The is responsible for ensuring quality and integrity of Action Against Hunger- USA operations in Haiti and Cambodia. He/she oversees the intervention throughout the programming cycle and ensures compliance with the organization s established policies, procedures, and strategy. This duty is achieved through the line management of the Country Directors in each country, as well as supervision of a headquarters-based Program Support Officer. The coordinates required support to the country team including that provided by technical advisors, field financial officers and logistics advisors, and other headquarters team members and/or consultants. He/she will represent the country program in a variety of stakeholder forums, communicating and advocating on behalf of beneficiaries and the country team. The : ADAPTS. She/he oversees the Country Teams through the development and implementation of complex/advanced programs or multi-disciplinary projects, including budgeting, program design and development, project monitoring and evaluation. She/he assesses program a project effectiveness and recommends new initiatives. She/he provides substantive advice/analysis of current programs identifying opportunities and areas for improvement. PERSUADES. She/he advises management about opportunities, risks and new technologies to improve design and effectiveness of country programs. On behalf of the organization and the country programs, she/he build networks and strengthens relationships with donors and other organization counterparts to sustain relationships and build frameworks for expanded collaboration, and highlighting the values the organization brings. ADAPTS THE PROGRAM/PROJECT CYCLE. She/he will ensure the country programs executes projects consistent with program objectives, engaging national counterparts appropriately, and building credibility and reputation through the quality design and reliable delivery of highly impactful activities that address the needs of the beneficiaries and which demonstrate organizational capacities both substantively and operationally.

2 II. Essential Job Duties Main Objective The supervises the Country Director in assigned countries, supports the development of new country programs, links to other HQ departments for coherent support, and contributes to the wider operational strategy and efforts to improving overall organizational performance. The is accountable for ensuring that country programs under his/her authority: Adhere to sound humanitarian/development principles and reflect organizational values; Effectively manage the safety and security of all team members, appropriately reflective of the operating context; Implement programming (i.e. grants and contracts) successfully and in compliance with donor and organizational requirements; Effectively manage support functions in country (e.g. financial, human resources, logistics, etc.) in line with established policies, procedures, and standards; Reflect Action Against Hunger s global operational strategy and quality standards; Communicates, advocates and representing on behalf of the beneficiaries and country team. As a key member of the Operations Department, he/she participates in ongoing efforts to improve organizational performance, compliance, risk management, and other key functions as well as contributes to the overall strategic planning for the organization as a whole. Specific Objectives 1. Country Director management The is responsible for managing Country Directors, and ensuring that decisions are made at appropriate levels within their scope of responsibility, and addresses problems with relevant support departments where necessary. More specifically, the supports and advises Country Directors with respect to: Security management (prevention and management) stays abreast of the security context and ensures security policies and procedures are updated and followed. Strategic Direction advises on the development of country strategies and ensures follow up throughout the year both at HQ and in the field. Advocacy and Communication - Actively advocates on behalf of the beneficiaries, country program, programs, and humanitarian needs in the USA and coordinates strategies across the Action Against Hunger network. Financial Accountability ensures country programs are accountable to donors, that country program funding plans are kept up to date, BFUs analyzed, and that risks are identified and mitigated. Grant Management and Donor Relations ensures country programs pursue funding opportunities in line with Action Against Hunger s charter, establish and maintain strategic relationship with donors, explore new funding opportunities and strengthen engagement and linkages with the Donor Relations Unit (DRU), the country programs, and HQs teams. Human Resources ensures strategic Human Resources (HR) oversight of national and international employees, and all consultants who may be periodically hired.

3 Program support coordinates with technical teams to ensure programs are defined and implemented according to Action Against Hunger s technical protocols and quality guidelines, and that new initiatives are implemented as needed. Emergency Response Ensures country programs are prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise within their country. 3. Country Program funding Works with the HQ Field Finance Officer, Finance Controllers, and Contracts & Grants Manager to ensure that current and future programs are sufficiently funded, and that general support is sufficient for implementation. Keeps informed of any changes or evolution in the donors guidelines and support the pool team, as needed, in review and validation of proposals & budgets. 4. Donors Builds and maintains donor relationships. Along with the relevant Donor Relations Officer acts as the focal point for donor relationships. Provides relevant updates on context, country strategy and programs progress. Explores funding possibilities with the full range of institutional and non-traditional donors. Collaborates with the External Relations and Technical departments to support the development of grants with major donors. 5. Human Resources At country program level, supports the Country Director (CD), soliciting input from the HRLD team as appropriate, to develop the country program s organizational structure, ensuring it meets each country program s needs, At HQ level, works with the Director of Operations, soliciting input from the HRLD team as appropriate, to develop the program s organizational structure, ensuring it meets each program needs. Validates Job Descriptions for all direct reports, irrespective of contracting status. Confirms the budget and supports the recruitment process for all direct reports. Supports and supervises the CD. Provides CD with regular feedback and coaching. Conducts Performance Appraisals, and supports the professional development of all direct reports. Supports the development of annual HR strategy for each country program and program. Works closely with the CD and the HR department to resolve employees issues or potential problems. Ensures that Action Against Hunger s organizational HR policies and procedures are implemented and reinforced in all country programs and programs. When required, supports the recruitment and professional development of expatriates (interviews, performance evaluations, trainings). 6. Communication & Advocacy Liaises extensively with External Relations department on field issues, as well as to enhance content material for the website, and define and provide content suitable for wider dissemination and advocacy work. Provides information from reports to be translated into press releases or communicated. Liaises with the CD and External Relations regarding media interviews.

4 Liaises with Action Against Hunger s Advocacy Department to support the development of country program advocacy plans. 7. Representation Develop and enhance relationship with key regional stakeholders, representing and defending Action Against Hunger s interest, positions, programs and operations at all relevant regional platforms. Contribute to increasing Action Against Hunger s visibility, its vision, values, products, strategies and impact at the regional level. Ensure adequate representation of Action Against Hunger at key events, conferences, meetings that are relevant for the countries in his/her portfolio, including active engagement with intergovernmental and regional humanitarian coordination platforms. 8. Action Against Hunger-USA Operational Policy Actively contributes to the development of Action Against Hunger -USA operational policies. Takes responsibility for specific policy development where delegated Actively brings operational dilemmas to the operations meeting for discussion III. Supervisory Responsibilities: The directly supervises two Country Directors (CDs) The directly supervises the Program Support Officer IV. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee has to be fit and able to travel to Action Against Hunger country programs for periods of at least 2 weeks. Field visits may include extended periods of air and land travel. V. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the country programs, country program security, or other obligations. Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the country programs if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases. VI. Required Qualifications and professional experience

5 Master s degree in International Relations, International Development and Policy, or a related field, together with at least five years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Field experience as a Country Director, preferably with Action Against Hunger and for durations longer than routine project / program planning cycles. Experience working in highly political, complex emergency, developmental and insecure environments. Field experience in the countries of responsibility highly desirable. VII. Required Skills Proven high-level management and coordination skills Ability to analyze and cogently report on complex, sensitive material. Demonstrable knowledge of international humanitarian affairs. A solid understanding of donor policies and procedures (including ECHO, DIPECHO, EU, USAID, UN, DFID, SIDA, DFATD). Solid understanding of international humanitarian assistance programs, with an emphasis on the functions, politics and procedures of the UN system and donor governments. Relevant experience in representation and advocacy. Ability to represent the organization, defend humanitarian positions and arguments in public forums. Ability to work cooperatively with subordinates, colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels. Knowledge of MS Office Suite (high proficiency in Excel). Must be comfortable working with computers with minimal IT support. Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of Action Against Hunger. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently and as a member of a team. Fluent written and spoken English and French All candidates should apply online at Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.