Program Manager, Americas At Global Communities

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community.

Global Communities is seeking a Program Manager, Americas to join the Sustainable Development team at the headquarters in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. The primary responsibility of the Program Manager is to oversee Headquarters (HQ) program and operational support to specific countries and programs within a designated portfolio. As the focal point in our HQ office for ensuring compliance and supporting country-level operations and program management, the Program Manager has a high level of program responsibility and supervises and mentors the Program Officer position. The Program Manager is the primary point of contact at HQ for 1) more complex programs within designated countries and 2) cross-cutting, country-wide systems, processes, or initiatives.

The Program Manager oversees HQ support across the project life cycle for the more complex programs within the portfolio, delegating to the Program Officer where appropriate. This includes providing first line program management and operational support to the in-country team and working with other stakeholders within and outside the Global Operations department where needed and appropriate. On assigned programs, s/he is responsible for award management and is the primary point of contact with the donors. The Program Manager will also mentor and support the Program Officer in the management of smaller programs within their respective collective portfolio.

The Program Manager identifies key trends, best practices, lessons learned, and challenges across the assigned portfolio. S/he works with the in-country team to improve processes and procedures and escalates any key concerns to the Senior Regional Manager (SRM). S/he supports the roll out of crosscutting, country-wide programmatic or operational initiatives, delegating to the Program officer where appropriate.

NOTE:

As an organization working to advance public health, Global Communities has an obligation to model best practices and to do all we can to protect each other, our partners and the communities where we work. To ensure the continuity and effectiveness of our business operations, Global Communities is adopting a policy to safeguard the health of our visitors, employees, families, and the larger global community from COVID-19. Effective January 3, 2022, all U.S.-based Global Communities employees are required to provide proof of having received full dosage of COVID-19 vaccine that is FDA approved, approved for emergency use authorization, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with Global Communities, as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

Responsibility Area: Program Management and Operations

Lead HQ support and oversight for large and/or complex programs within the assigned country portfolio, delegating specific tasks to the Program Officer as appropriate.

- Oversees HQ support for assigned programs, including award management, contracts and sub-award management, and financial management among others. Coordinates with relevant HQ stakeholders (including other regions in Global Operations, Finance, People & Culture, General Counsel, Security, IT, recruiting, etc.). – Identifies concerns and proposes solutions to programmatic, operational and systemic challenges to a program’s success. Communicates internally on program and operational successes and challenges, including escalating any major challenges, risks, or issues to the Program Manager. Maintains effective relationships with donor HQ representatives, including with the AO/AORs. Requests and secures donor approvals as needed (e.g., prior approvals, deadline extensions, deliverable approvals). – Provides first-line donor compliance support across the award life cycle for assigned programs. Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, donor regulations and internal policies and procedures. – Reviews and edits donor reports and other program deliverables (e.g., workplan) for operational soundness and to ensure quality, compliance, a timely submission. – Ensure adherence to GC and donor minimum program quality standards. – Conducts visits to country offices and program sites to provide technical and operational support – Ensures that key documents and content are updated in GC’s knowledge management system (SharePoint) and that lessons learned and best practices are being captured.

2. Lead HQ support for crosscutting, country-wide initiatives, delegating specific tasks to the Program Officer as appropriate.

- Provides strategic advice regarding programs, management, and operations. Develops and conducts trainings, as needed. – Serves as the primary point of contact for the roll out new country-wide programmatic or operational initiatives (e.g., roll out of a new system, support the set-up/improvement of a feedback mechanism, etc.) – Identifies best practices and lessons learned across the country portfolio, including working closely with the in-country team on a learning agenda. – Works with in-country team to develop and roll out preparedness planning – Review proposals and budgets for new business development opportunities linked with the country portfolio to ensure operational soundness – Reviews monthly country report provided by the in-country team and financial analysis provided by the Program Officer, identifying key trends and escalating any major risks to the SRM – Produces succinct written and oral responses to senior management information request on all aspects of country -specific operations under tight deadline. – Leads or provides technical support to new program start-up and close-out in assigned countries. – Covers field responsibilities/vacancies when needed and provides surge support in cases of new emergencies.

Undertakes all other duties and projects as may be assigned from time to time.

Responsibility Area: Supervision

- Guide staff to prioritize, coordinate, and distribute work based on available resources and changing demands across programs and countries. – Hires, trains, guides, mentors and advises staff within the HQ Country Support Team (estimate one staff); leads training and onboarding process for new staff as required. – Ensures adherence to Standards of Conduct, the Employee Handbook, and other corporate and applicable policies, procedures, and schedules.

POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Able and willing to travel internationally up to 20-25% annually – Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity, and innovation; and demonstrate Global Communities’ culture and values of dignity, integrity, humility, connection and creativity across country offices and at HQ Under the direction of the Senior Regional Manager, support other projects or organizational initiatives, as appropriate

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian and/or development programming, monitoring and evaluation techniques, and grants administration to include procurement and award management.
Ability to manage, track and report on budgets and program financial data.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Suite. Comfortable working with large amounts of data and Excel spreadsheets.
Experience working successfully in cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary settings.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, alongside the ability to interpret documents and spreadsheets, analyze information, and develop strategies.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
Ability to draft and edit quality reports targeting a variety of audiences.
Ability to work effectively in an atmosphere of shifting priorities and deadline pressure.
Able to work in a team environment.
Accuracy, attention to detail.
Ability to read and interpret documents and ability to sit at a computer and operate a keyboard.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of four years of related work experience or a minimum of eight years of related work experience.
Significant work experience in the international NGO/non-profit development sector preferred.
Significant experience with USAID and BHA programs, financial analysis, business development, and budgeting preferred.
Prior international living experience, preferably in a developing country. Prior program development experience a plus.
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities
Must have U.S. work authorization.

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Global Communities is committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all staff, representatives, partners, participants, and anyone with whom Global Communities interacts worldwide, especially children and adults at risk.