The American Red Cross International Services Department (ISD) seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering around the world by responding to disasters, building safer, more resilient communities, and educating future humanitarians. The American Red Cross continues to deepen and expand its international programming while also working to strengthen the global Red Cross Red Crescent Network to deliver critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries, the American Red Cross has activated a Response Management Team (RMT) and is building a program to support response activities in Ukraine and impacted countries. The American Red Cross International Response and Recovery Unit is seeking an experienced Program Manager to support and guide humanitarian assistance activities and objectives, in accordance with American Red Cross response plans, and in support of the RCRC movement-wide operation.
The Program Manager works closely with the Field Representative in their role as liaison to the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), relevant Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) National Societies and other international government and non-governmental partners, institutional authorities, and donors, to ensure coordination and optimal harmonization of strategies. The Program Manager will be responsible for providing strong technical and programmatic support to achieve well-integrated programmatic goals, including the development of a monitoring plan to ensure quality, compliance, and report regularly on progress against time, scope and budget.
Under the supervision of the Field Representative, the Programs Manager will seek and facilitate coordination and synergies with other implementing agencies, namely RCRC Movement partners, and others to maximize best practices and a positive impact of programs from the regional to community levels. The Program Manager will also be responsible for ensuring programmatic and operations compliance in the American Red Cross funded Ukraine & Impacted Countries Response program portfolio, in collaboration with ARC National Headquarters and Red Cross/Red Crescent partners. The Program Manager may coordinate on and represent American Red Cross programs with Red Cross Movement and non-Movement partners, international organizations, government entities, the media, and other coordinating bodies.
This position is based in Budapest, Hungary and includes up to 75% travel to project sites. The position reports to the Field Representative, also based in Budapest, and works collaboratively with the ISD National Headquarters staff. Additional duties may be assigned as the operational need dictates
This is a full-time position for a minimum of 365 days with the possibility of extension. This is an accompanied post.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Accountable for successful implementation of American Red Cross funded program.
- Build positive working relations with relative Red Cross Movement partners, external partner agencies, and stakeholders that actively contribute to the response effort.
- Design, develop, and execute the American Red Cross Ukraine response plan and ensure it is well integrated and aligned with other relevant plans and response activities.
- Monitor programs on a regular basis and make recommendations for changes to enhance performance as appropriate by performing regular program reviews, organizing value-added trainings, monitoring budgets, and reporting.
- Manage the successful implementation of the approved plans on time, scope, and budget in accordance with standards.
- Ensure the early detection of potential critical issues that might affect the quality and compliance of all programs.
- Collaborate with Quality, Data, and Learning (QDL) team to 1) ensure organizational learning, 2) ensure utilization of best practices and, 3) maintain quality standards and norms across the organization.
- Monitor cash flow projections and expenditures and analyze together with the Field Representative and Finance implications for achievement of program goals and objectives.
- Ensure compliance in programmatic and financial reporting from partners, as outlined in funding agreements. Provide support to internal senior leadership briefs and report
- Support Field Representative, aligning strategic priorities and plans for execution
- Provide additional program support and management duties as requested by the Field Representative, including support to the IFRC secretariat and/or optimize integration of the American Red Cross programmatic portfolio with the wider RCRC operation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in international studies, business management, public administration, or relevant field of study.
- A minimum of five years of experience in international disaster management and risk reduction experience in developing countries. Or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
- Prior overseas/field experience with Red Cross/Red Crescent and/or other international NGO.
- Knowledge of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, international relief and development principles and operations management
- Excellent leadership skills to include team building, teamwork, and commitment to the American Red Cross principles.
- Evidence of experience in successful program design, proposal development, and grant management and evidence of delivering projects on time, scope and budget.
- Excellent verbal and written skills, and effective interpersonal skills.
- Must display flexibility, adaptability, initiative, results oriented behavior.
- Ability to use computers and related technology. Proficiency in computer operating systems, specifically MS Office
Preferred
- MA in international studies, business management, public administration, or relevant field preferred.
- Experience in Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement disaster operations management is preferred