Program Manager

Job Description

Scope and Purpose
The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for a portfolio of projects which includes providing all home office management and support activities to the field required for the successful implementation of each project.

The PM is responsible for five program areas: Administration and Finance, Program Quality Assurance, Technical Assistance, Communications and Program Development (including relationship building with relevant stakeholders such as donors, the private sector and universities. This position will also be heavily involved in writing and reviewing reports, ensuring appropriate promotion of their project portfolio, researching donors and funding streams, capture for specific opportunities and management of a proposal effort (including writing, reviewing, and editing of proposals).

This position is responsible for analyzing and processing project data, recommending courses of action based on specific project experience, and compliance with NCBA CLUSA and donor regulations. The PM will actively participate in a NCBA CLUSA technical practice area and/or specialty and will ensure that NCBA CLUSA’s best practices are employed for their portfolio of projects. In addition, the PM will ensure any new innovations or lessons learned from their projects are shared with the practice areas. The PM position may manage the work of a Program Associate.

Fluency in French is required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of all programmatic and financial aspects of assigned projects; is a principle home office representative of the project and represents headquarters’ policies and guidance to the field-based project staff; regularly updates key home office staff and donor on the project’s progress and any relevant issues.
• Reviews, analyzes, and edits periodic progress reports, annual work plans, assessments, and evaluations prepared in the field; ensures that all relevant data from the project is aggregated into the headquarters data systems; identifies issues and concerns related to any technical/programmatic issues that could jeopardize project implementation and/or achievement of objectives.
• Ensures that the field-based Country Director (CD) or Chief of Party (COP), Senior Program Manager (SPM) and other senior staff receive all necessary support for project implementation and management. Monitors the program to ensure that the field management and administrative systems are effectively supporting field and headquarters operations.
• Understands NCBA CLUSA’s financial structure including project agreements and budgets ensuring compliance with agreement provisions and donor requirements (e.g. USAID, USDA). Reviews and analyzes monthly financial reports prepared in the field and/or by the Program Accountant and take steps necessary to ensure that sufficient funds are available for continued program operation.
• Monitors the technical and financial performance of partners and sub-awardees for compliance with subcontracts and sub-agreements by identifying and resolving project issues and concerns and provide analysis and recommendations.
• Supports the Business Development team with proposal development to include the most up-to-date strategies on a subject and assist in writing the corporate capability qualifications, write assigned sections of a proposal, coordinate and assist with other proposal development activities.

Other Job Responsibilities

• Develops, manages and monitors various annual budgets. This includes monitoring levels of spending, obligation requirements, preparing and analyzing pipelines that contain assumptions, recommendations, and/or required actions for the COP, Director of Programs or SPM. Participates in regular program and financial reviews.
• Reviews, analyzes, and processes contracts and agreements related to portfolio projects including drafting and negotiating scopes-of-work, conducting technical briefings, reviewing invoices, and tracking expenditures.
• Initiates the procurement of project equipment, including assisting the field with large procurements, and ensures inventory control procedures are in place in conformance with donor and NCBA CLUSA policies and procedures.
• Conducts short-term technical assistance, as appropriate, and conducts research on a project’s technical focus and/or the NCBA CLUSA practice area, as necessary, and provides technical writing and editing as needed for project and practice area documents.
• Cultivates and maintains networks and relationships with key stakeholders and industry players in the program sector, including donors, research institutes, universities, NGOs, etc.
• Attends and presents at conferences, seminars and trainings related to the project(s) and/or practice area, and documents the key lessons learned, findings, and research for internal distribution and learning.
• Reviews and/or provides content for periodic reports or summaries covering the technical status of a program, project profile updates, articles for the Cooperative Business Journal, the NCBA CLUSA web site, and other publications and social media.
• Helps draft and implement strategies to disseminate project results and promote the project and donor as appropriate.
• Produces monthly updates and briefs on project innovations, success stories and/or issues and trends to share with the international team.

• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Skills and Experience

• Requires a Bachelor of Science in International Relations, International Business, Political Science, Public Policy, Agriculture, Environmental Science or Nutrition (or related field); a Master’s degree is preferred or four to six years equivalent experience in a related field
• Experience working in a development context, preferably including field experience in the developing world.
• Experience with USAID and/or USDA rules and regulations, and/or other US government compliance familiarity.
• Strong experience and keen knowledge of fiscal management of federal government and external donor awards, especially USAID projects, with strong analytical, management, attention to detail and capacity building skills.

• Strong project management skills, including experience in leading internal and external program planning and reporting initiatives, and developing and implementing an annual work plan.
• Superior organizational, project management and analytical skills with a strong ability to prioritize.
• Sound financial management skills including maintaining and monitoring programmatic budgeting, spending projections, and expenses.
• Experience building relationships and collaborating with donors, partners, staff and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills; both verbal and written and an ability to work effectively across multiple departments and cultures.

• Fluency in French is required.
• Ability to travel to field sites 20% of the year.

About the Organization

NCBA CLUSA is the primary voice in the United States for people who use cooperatives to build a better world. By strengthening cooperatives, building resilient communities and providing economic opportunities, NCBA CLUSA, through its international and US programs, works through the cooperatives principles in more than 20 countries. Since 1916, NCBA CLUSA has shared the cooperative advantage, highlighting the impact cooperatives have in bettering the lives of individuals, families and communities. Through its advocacy program, NCBA CLUSA educations lawmakers and promotes the cooperative business model, working with public and private thought leaders.

NCBA CLUSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, and legally protected characteristics for non-merit factors.

NCBA CLUSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all facets of employment, including the employment application and selection process. If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at NCBA CLUSA, please send an email to Brian Gunning or call 202.383-5464.