Program Director At Search for Common Ground

Team Summary

The DRC Program Planning and Implementation team oversees the implementation of Search programs and projects in its country offices, in accordance with Search and donor policies and procedures and the DRC ROI. The Program Planning and Implementation team works across the entire project lifecycle, from inception to full closure. This includes designing work plans, implementing activities, reporting, financial management, and staffing management. The Program Implementation team collaborates with other departments including Finance, Institutional Learning, Programs, Global Affairs and Partnerships, Human Resources, and Information and Communication Technology in the country and region.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk management and mitigation in program implementation.
• Develop policies, tools and models for program implementation.
• Provide technical support for the implementation of the program.
• Lead capacity development and training.
• Regularly coordinates activities with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problems tactfully.
• Has multiple and regular contacts with high-level donors and external partners. Is known and visible externally.
• Represents, as needed, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including international and local donors, suppliers and partners.
• Interact with national office and regional staff.

Contributions

• Create and maintain an up-to-date dashboard of key compliance metrics across Search’s entire grant portfolio.
• Analyze potential risks associated with current Search program implementation practices and make recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Compile and make usable appropriate tools, advice and guidance to assist Search program managers in best complying with relevant Search donor policies and procedures as well as its own standards.
• Create and disseminate relevant training tools and guidance to all Search donors, related to our current grantmaking portfolio.
• Advise and train program teams on donor compliance requirements and strengthen systems, policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Create quarterly reports for Search management that highlight areas of potential risk, recommendations for improvement, and metrics to measure change.
• Directly oversee the compliance of a strategic portfolio of grants, working with regional and national teams responsible for implementing these grants.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to program managers across Search’s geographic portfolio.
• Conduct final cost review and ensure budget documents are approved by respective senior management prior to proposal submission. May participate in assembly, final production and quality control of project proposals.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to program managers across Search’s geographic portfolio.
• Provide financial support for the development of cost-related responses to donor questions/review requests after submission.
• Lead brainstorming sessions to develop action plans and corrective plans to be disseminated throughout the organization for better program implementation.
• Lead the initiation and close of key and strategic grants across Search’s portfolio and place teams in a better technical position to implement and monitor compliance.
• Collaborate with other team members to develop policies and standard operating procedures on program implementation processes.
• Integrate the organization’s values ​​into all of its work.
• Other tasks that are broadly consistent with the above key contributions, as assigned.

Type and nature of contacts

• Regularly coordinate with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolve problematic situations tactfully. Have multiple and regular high-level contacts with donors and external partners.
• May be called upon to represent, as required, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including international and local donors, suppliers and partners.
• Interact with country office and regional staff.

Education and Experience
Typically BS/BA with a minimum of 15 years of experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel internationally at least 20%.

Oversight and Budget Responsibility
Manages multiple direct reports and/or consultants and manages multiple functional areas and associated budgets.

The deadline for submitting applications is August 14, 2024.