PURPOSE:
The primary purpose of the UMCOR Program Manager (PM) position is to support, guide and oversee UMCOR field office(s) (“Mission(s)”) in their program development, monitoring and reporting of activities, strategic development and exit/transition planning. The position entails significant program development as well as field office grant and donor management. It will be expected that the PM will travel to the field to gain first-hand knowledge of programs and issues and be a liaison with donors in the US and internationally. The PM will act as a link between project ideas being generated in the field and representing those ideas to US and internationally based donors. The Program Manager will be responsible for grant management, as well as providing representation of assigned Missions at UMCOR’s GA headquarters and with external partners. Under the guidance of the Director, International Programs, the Program Manager will ensure that each assigned Mission operates based on a sound humanitarian and development strategy and follows UMCOR’s standards of operations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
Mission Support, Coordination and Supervision
* Provide management support to assigned Missions.
* Monitor day-to-day communications in assigned Missions and ensure appropriate responses to the field and donors.
* Provide grant management support for all donor grants, including proposal submission, ensuring donor reporting requirements are met and dealing with donor related issues.
* Advise field Missions on issues of grant management and compliance including start-up and close-out.
* Keep accurate and updated grant files at all times.
* Advise the Heads of Mission on personnel, administration and program related issues.
* Provide policy and operational guidance to field Missions and assist in developing field manuals.
* Through constant liaison with donors and Heads of Mission (HoMs), identify Mission priorities and assist when needed (e.g. with proposal writing, stakeholder liaison, etc.).
* Liaise with program staff in UMCOR’s Global Health & Development and International Disaster Response units and GA-based finance, human resources, resource development, grants management, monitoring and evaluation, and communication and marketing support departments on issues pertaining to the assigned Missions and related countries or regions
* Coordinate program and Mission evaluation activities.
* Assist the Missions in maintaining contact and coordination with key partners active in the same region, including those associated with the United Methodist Church (where applicable), local and international organizations, peer agencies, and others.
* Provide coverage for key leadership/program/support functions in the field as requested, to assist with short-term gaps and emergency support.
* Represent assigned Missions on Crisis Management Team as appropriate.
* Make monitoring field visits as assigned, and submit written reports and recommendations based on these visits.
* Coordinate with the Program Managers for other Missions/regions for information sharing and to establish a coherent program support and backstopping function between headquarters and the field.
Program Design, Development and Strategy Support
* Pro-actively build, maintain and capitalize on close relations with UMCOR current, past and potential institutional donors and partners.
* Pro-actively seek out new funding opportunities for Missions, and inform HoMs and Strategic Resource Team (SRT) members.
* Review incoming proposals from Missions for donor compliance, programmatic and narrative quality and expedite the review process.
* Ensure that all proposal development criteria are met including compilation of certifications and recommendations and coordination of internal approval process.
* Negotiate grant agreements, program and budget revisions, and any other grant related issues with donors.
* Review budgets for proposals and operating budgets as needed in coordination with Grant Finance Managers.
* Make field visits to support and assist with program design/proposal writing as necessary.
* Attend assigned Mission planning meetings as appropriate, and provide input into Mission strategy planning.
* Review, edit and provide input into Mission annual and multi-year planning documents as appropriate, ensuring that Mission programs are aligned with UMCOR’s core mission, vision and strategic plan.
* Assist assigned Missions in communication and negotiation with the SRT on annual and multi-year Mission strategies.
* Keep up-to-date records on Mission/country developments and funding opportunities.
Agency/Mission Representation
* Provide program briefings to donors and other stakeholders, offering UMCOR Mission/country perspectives to stakeholders.
* Regularly contribute to the development of promotional materials and internal communication tools.
* Gain an in-depth knowledge of Missions, programs, personnel, countries, issues, partners and peoples through visits, research and proposal writing.
* Represent assigned Missions at UN or DC advocacy, coordination meetings, and with the SRT in GA as needed.
* Develop a network of key contacts within the circles of NGOs, peer agencies and other faith-based organizations, institutional partners, academia and diplomatic representation to keep abreast of issues facing assigned Missions vis-à-vis humanitarian and development assistance.
General Support
* Contribute to the development of organizational procedures, polices and systems of UMCOR.
* Contribute to the recruitment process of expatriate staff and consultants as necessary including developing job descriptions, scopes of work, consultant agreements, conducting interviews, and providing training and orientation.
* Any other task that may be assigned related to the Mission support.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The position requires a Master’s degree in International Development, Non-Profit Management, Public Administration, International Relations or a related field, as well as at least 4 years of experience in grant management, program design, implementation and fund-raising, preferably overseas.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES:
Strong organizational ability; experience in post-disaster and emergency project management, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with multiple stakeholders in a diplomatic manner; demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian assistance and development programs with emphasis on the functions, policies and procedures of the US Government and the UN system; excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to identify, plan and coordinate program and operational support to a field-based operation. Experience in capacity strengthening of local partners and staff strongly desired. Experience in program development and management in the areas of Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security, Economic and Social Development, and Global Health preferred. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required, and with other languages a plus. Experience in working with faith-based organizations is a plus. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the Missions, Mission security, or other obligations. Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the assigned Missions. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to security risks and/or very basic living conditions, and extreme weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
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