Senior Program Associate, MENA

Job Description

Chemonics International is seeking a Senior program associate for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Business Unit (RBU). The MENA RBU portfolio includes projects in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Lybia, Syria, and Tunisia; new business in Egypt, Morocco, the West Bank, and Yemen; and covers a wide variety of technical sectors including economic growth, water and energy, education, democracy and governance, and peace, stability, and transition. The division is also home to the Democracy and Governance and Peace, Stability, and Transitions Practices, and the Transitions Unit. The senior program associate will provide advanced support with project administration and to complete professional and administrative tasks related to supporting project implementation. The Associate’s work assignments are still being finalized and may include supporting the Operations team and various Project Management Units, based on the successful candidates interests and regional staffing needs. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities:

Project Management

• Responds to and answers questions from corporate and project offices regarding client policies and regulations
• Liaises directly with relevant support departments, such as human resources and compliance, to ensure project compliance with rules, regulations, and corporate policy, in consultation with program manager or director as appropriate
• Tracks, and when appropriate, reviews project and financial deliverables and reports for completeness and readiness for submission; may provide copy-editing support as needed
• Drafts and tracks administrative and financial project requests and changes to clients and partners, including approvals for staffing, financial reporting and tracking, activity modifications, and budget adjustments; may liaise with corporate office and project staff and partners staff to obtain information and submit approvals
• Leads recruitment efforts for expatriate and local staff under supervision of a manager / director, including sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, checking references, collecting employment verification documentation, and providing finalist feedback
• Supports monthly reforecasting for project budget; drafts monthly budget and staffing memos; participates in corporate budgeting process as requested
• Provides review of local expenses, supporting documentation, and draft invoices to manager for review and approval
• Analyzes and submits subaward invoices and backup documentation; drafts subawards and modifications; liaises closely with subaward partners on contractual issues
• Completes data entry of monthly project invoicing, subaward partner and consultant information, expense reports, and other types of data as requested
• Provides travel support for employees and consultants by gathering relevant travel information, reserving tickets, and seeking necessary travel authorizations and approvals; liaises with traveler to collect expense reports and required backup documentation
• Processes monthly wire transfer requests and provides initial reviews to ensure completeness and accuracy; submits final wire transfer request package for approval
• Drafts and submits employment agreements and collects necessary backup documentation to complete administrative procedures for onboarding
• Facilitates fielding and repatriation of employees and consultants by submitting separation paperwork, updating allowances, coordinating travel and household effects repatriation
• Facilitates securing residency permits, tax documentation, and housing for expatriate staff; oversees the administration of expatriate staff allowances
• Leads Project Management Unit (PMU) efforts for complete and comprehensive project documentation by saving relevant project documents and approvals to project SharePoint files and facilitating document reviews and file audits as appropriate
• Schedules and leads meetings, prepares agenda, and capture notes as appropriate
• Participates in internal and external training events to strengthen core competencies for project management in line with donor regulations and Chemonics corporate standards
• May contribute dedicated time to other workstreams and functions to achieve BU goals, including new business, operations, and technical practice contributions

New Business and Technical Development

• Participates on proposal teams in specific line roles of increasing complexity, including, but not limited to, past performance writer, corporate capabilities writer, expatriate and/or local recruiter, section writer, cost preparer, coordinator, and subcontractor/subaward partner liaison; provides mentorship
• Travels when appropriate to conduct information-gathering regarding new business efforts, including meeting with potential subaward partners
• Contributes to technical practice(s) as required by BU and corporate needs and performs other duties as required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 2 years of relevant administrative or professional work experience, including one year of procurement, contractual, project management, or related experience
• Experience with data entry, filing, cataloguing, retrieving, and preseving records preferred
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Communicates clearly and concisely in both verbal and written communications; strong cross-culture communication and sensitivity skills
• Demonstrated experience multitasking with attention to detail, organization, and time management skills
• Demonstrated experience following standard practices and procedures, receiving general instruction and supervision, and contributing to projects and initiatives
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Works independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem-solving and initiative to learn new skills
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting volunteer work in developing countries a plus
• Willingness to travel up to 8 weeks per year
• Willingness to support multiple teams depending on regional needs including Operations and Project Management Units

Apply by Thursday, March 31, 2022. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

About the Organization

Founded in 1975, Chemonics is an international development consulting firm. In more than 70 countries around the globe, our network of 5,000 specialists share a simple belief: that the challenges we face today are best solved through the right partnerships — sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience to deliver results. As part of our culture and values, Chemonics is proud to be named a “Best Place to Work” in the Human Rights campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Where Chemonics works, development works. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit us at www.chemonics.com.