Programme Manager, Yemen At Interpeace

Reporting to: MENA Regional Representative

Location: Taiz, Aden or Amman (National or valid residence permit only)

Application closing: 12 April 2023

Background

Interpeace is an international organization for peacebuilding that supports locally led peacebuilding initiatives around the world. Interpeace tailors its approach to each society and ensures that the work is locally driven. Together with local partners and local teams, Interpeace jointly develops peacebuilding programmes and helps establish processes of change that connect local communities, civil society, government and the international community.

As a strategic partner of the United Nations, Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Position within the Organization

The Programme Manager is a member of the Programme Management Unit which manages and implements Interpeace’s active and ongoing programmes around the world. The Programme Manager reports to the MENA Regional Representative and liaises at a working level with colleagues at global operations, programme development and innovation, strategic partners and communication and policy, IPAT and learning.

The Programme Manager is responsible for the coordination and management of large projects or cluster of projects within a set thematic field or geographic location. This includes project cycle management, supervision of programme staff, project officers and project-support officers, working with finance colleagues to ensure programmatic forecasting, expenditure and accountability, working with MEL colleagues to capture results and adapt programmes to maximise impacts. Programme Managers work closely with colleagues in the programme management and programme development units to design and develop funding proposals to ensure the continuity of programmes and to expand and develop country portfolios.

Purpose and General Overview

The Programme Manager is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day management and timely delivery of Interpeace’s peacebuilding programme in Yemen. This includes coordinating programme design and development and the implementation of programmatic activities such as workshops, trainings, mentoring, research. The Programme Manager will ensure that programme implementation is done to a high standard in line with workplans and budget. The Programme Manager is responsible for building and maintaining working level relations with programme or project participants, partners, CSOs, government authorities and donors. The role is also responsible for coordinating reporting, monitoring and advocacy activities.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Engagement:

Provides overall support to the MENA Regional Representative and leads the development, of the Interpeace’s programmes in Yemen
Support the MENA Representative in the development of the Yemen Country Strategy
Engages with different stakeholders at track 2 and 3, occasionally operating at track 1, to advance Interpeace’s work in the country.
Identifies and advises the MENA Regional Representativeon new strategic partnerships to expand the scope of work at country level
Identifies and develops opportunities to expand the programme within the country, in collaboration with the country programme team, partners, as well as the Programme Development Unit
Captures and communicates the impact of Interpeace’s work, including nurturing a strong Monitoring and Evaluation capacity in the programme to promote the programme and create positive momentum
Maintains an acute awareness and analysis of political and social dynamics of the context which are relevant to Interpeace’s mandate and oversee the production of regular briefing notes for colleagues and other relevant stakeholders.

Programme Management

Provides effective leadership over the day-to-day implementation of current programmes within agreed work plans, budgets and financial management parameters to ensure the highest level of project delivery, quality and accountability
Drives the country programme annual planning and contributes to the budgeting processes as per organisational guidelines and local context
In collaboration with the programme and finance colleagues, ensures effective implementation and compliance with finance and other Interpeace governance manuals, policies and procedures, and complies with procedures required by grant or contract agreements
Coordinates the programme portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability
Produces preparatory and summary notes for country visits and meetings with stakeholders aimed at programme development and innovation, under the guidance of the Country Representative
Manage and grow the relationship with Interpeace’s in-country partners

Representation

Focuses on Tracks 2 and 3 engagement, and as required Track-1, with a particular focus on effective project delivery
Engages and builds relationships, at the working level, with partners, diplomatic representatives and other organisations
Develops and strengthens relationships with local organisations and networks and establishes national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society working in common cause with Interpeace objectives.
Represents Interpeace in meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contributes towards consolidating and raising the profile of Interpeace

Management – institutional coherence

Ensures compliance of programmatic work at activity level with internal controls
Has a close operational coordination at working level with other teams in Interpeace, and with partner organisations

Staff Management

Supervises and develops teams in coordination with MENA Representative
Coaches, monitors, evaluates and documents the individual performance of direct reports through a staff development lens

Qualifications:

Candidates with relevant qualifications, experience, a tertiary degree, and fluent in Arabic and English, are invited to apply.

Relevant experience and qualifications may include:

Education

Tertiary degree in international relations, political science, development, management, or related field

Experience

Five to seven years of relevant experience in peacebuilding, political and/or developmental work with increasing management responsibility.
Professional experience in programme management (strategy, planning, reflection, implementation, monitoring, evaluation)
Field experience in conflict affected contexts, particularly Yemen
Management experience
Experience of facilitating peace processes

Competencies

Demonstrates effectiveness and strong experience with short and long-term planning; financial, personnel and program management.
Advanced knowledge and experience of project cycle management including using project planning and management tools
Knowledge of current thinking on peacebuilding issues and methods; and demonstrable ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them swiftly into priority programme setting
Excellent communication, coordination and facilitation skills in culturally and politically sensitive environments
Developed ability to effectively capture and communicate the impact of practical work and to use this to raise profile.
Proven field experience in project management in conflict-affected or post-crisis countries.
Proven ability to communicate and network with high level executives, donors, international agencies and media.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate gender responsive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.
Ability to interact with people respectfully and with tact

Interpeace Competencies