Senior Program Manager for Agriculture and Food Security

Job Description

Africare is seeking a Senior Program Manager for Agriculture and Food Security (AFS) who will support Africare’s field offices in the design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural-centered development, transitional and emergency feeding programs in Africa The AFS Program Manager is responsible for assuring all Africare agriculture and food security programs are implemented within the context of Africare’s overall strategy and are responsive to the needs of the countries where Africare operates. Africare views agriculture as a critical area for program growth. Current programs are predominantly funded by USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and, Feed the Future; USDA and the World Food Program alongside other private sector partners. Additional potential donors include: IFAD, FAO, the World Bank, private corporations, foreign governments and foundations. Important newer programming opportunities include agricultural value chain programs intended to empower women and youth; agriculturally-based maternal and child nutrition programs and programs which use agriculture to increase community resilience to external shocks like drought.

Responsibilities/Tasks:

1. Financial Management and Backstopping

• Consults with field offices, International Programs, and Office of Finance in the regular monitoring of project implementation expenditures;

• Supports the Office of Finance during Annual Audits providing information related to programs as requested;
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of training programs for headquarters and field staff on the financial aspects of Agriculture and Food Security activities; and,

1. Monitoring and Technical Support

• Liaise with and visit field offices; Review and comment on monthly and/or quarterly reports written by field staff (i.e., Country Representative, Project Coordinator) concerning implementation of programs;
• Support field team in developing corrective action plans where necessary
• Participate in program monitoring and evaluation for food security impacts;
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of training programs for headquarters and field staff on the technical and programmatic aspects of Agriculture and Food Security activities;
• Conduct field visits related to program implementation as needed; and,

1. Project Design

• Participate in development and design of program proposals which include liaising/coordinating international consultants;

• Participating in field level project design, review/editing proposal drafts;
• Responding to and incorporating changes to comments from HQ, field staff, and USDA/USAID/FFP/WFP (including responding to information in issues letters) into final proposal;
• Pursue external technical assistance for the integration of latest approaches in food security and food aid programming; and,
• Assist in the development of teaming agreements with technical assistance organizations and/or other Cooperating Sponsors.
• Lead and support HQ and field team in strengthening partnerships with other relevant implementing organizations and funding entities.

1. Represent Africare’s interests at working groups, professional meetings, or conferences

• Attend and represent Africare at working group meetings, conferences, trainings and briefings (including, but not limited to, USAID, TOPS, FANTA, PVO partners and others);

• Prepare information on outputs of working groups for dissemination to Africare staff; and,

1. Administrative

• Develop Scopes of Work for consultants contributing to on-going programs and new business;

• Liaise with field offices regarding request for confirmation of receipt and timely completion of tasks and assignments; coordinate prompts to field offices regarding annual tasks;
• Lead and orient temporary employees, interns, consultants and field staff, as required; and,
• Work in collaboration with the Communications Unit to update promotional materials, one-page project descriptions and technical capacity statements as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required in relevant field like agriculture, economics, international relations, business administration;, Master’s degree preferred in relevant field;
• A minimum of five years of experience working in a developing country (preferably in Africa);
• A demonstrable familiarity with US government agencies and/or multilateral organizations related to international development (i.e., USAID,USDA, World Bank, World food program) and their current agriculture and food security programs;
• Familiarity with US Federal Rules and Regulations.
• Experience in project design and management, including financial management and drafting budgets and monitoring expenses
• General understanding of rural development interventions in agriculture and their linkage with economic empowerment, community development and nutrition
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation of rural development programs;
• Demonstrated interpersonal , strong organizational and communication skills, including the ability to communicate program impacts and results;
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills that show an attention to detail; French or Portuguese language skills a plus;
• Expertise in MS Office products.

How to Apply:

Applications should include a CV and cover letter. In the cover letter (of no more than two pages in length) the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the position and highlight relevant experience.

Please send CVs to humanresources@africare.org, including “Sr. Program Manager - AFS “in the subject line. Resumes must be submitted by close of business on February 28, 2017. ONLY short listed candidates will be contacted.

For more information about Africare, please visit www.africare.org .

Africare is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer committed to workplace diversity.

About the Organization

Africare is a leader among private, charitable U.S. organizations assisting Africa. Africare is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in the field. Africare's programs address needs in three principal areas: Agriculture & Food Security, Health & HIV/AIDS, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Throughout its 40-year history, Africare has reached 30 million people across the continent with innovative, sustainable, culturally appropriate and life-changing projects to improve the quality of life in communities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Africare’s 1,400 staff members operate in 19 countries across Africa. Headquarters is based in Washington, DC where the President’s office and the Finance, Development, and Operations and Human Resources Departments are based.