Program Manager, East And Southern Africa

Chemonics International seeks a Program Manager for the East and Souther Africa (ESAF) Regional Business Unit. The final portfolio will be determined based on qualifications of the successful candidate and regional needs. However, it is anticipated that this position will support a USAID-funded project focused on improving the nutritional status of women and children in Tanzania. The project will work to strengthen health, water, and market-based food and sanitation systems that promote the adoption of optimal nutrition-related behaviors.

In addition to housing the education practice management team, our regional portfolio spans a wide range of technical sectors. ESAF’s new business market is equally diverse and promises plenty of opportunities to those willing to take on new and exciting challenges. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we will interview and fill the position on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities:

The program manager is responsible for management, delegation, and execution of day-to-day project tasks, including staff management, as well as engagement in new business and technical practices. The role involves concurrently managing project(s) of modest complexity together with roles in new business. The program manager will collaborate with other Project Management Unit (PMU) and team members and support and monitor completion of tasks related to aspects of project management, performance, and compliance. Ensures adherence with company policies, applicable laws and regulations, and project requirements.

Project Management

• Liaises with project subaward partners, manages subaward issues, budgets, and invoice reviews, and reviews deliverables in coordination with project team to ensure they meet technical and quality standards.
• May contribute dedicated time to other work streams and functions to achieve business unit goals, including: new business, operations, and technical practice contributions
• Manages day-to-day support to one or more project teams and client, including communicating and assisting with project-office requests and overseeing adherence to project requirements, government regulations, and Chemonics policies.
• Reviews and provides comments on project technical work and project reports.
• Recruits long- and short-term project personnel in accordance with Chemonics’ policy.
• Responsible for reviewing and determining causes of variances in expenditures against forecasts and budgets and ensuring client is informed as appropriate.
• Identifies issues or potential risks, including project performance, financial, and compliance, and supports plans and strategies to address those risks, communicating, when appropriate, with the director and/or senior vice president. Appropriately consults with support units on corporate-office and project-office matters to help make informed decisions.
• Conducts periodic project office visits to monitor and support project operations and implementation, including conducting training, conducting, or responding to audits, providing input to work planning, conducting technical research, and performing other relevant tasks.
• Oversees financial aspects of the project’s contract or agreement by reviewing monthly invoices for accuracy and compliance. Responsible for tracking expenditures against budget and total obligated funds, coordinating development and monitoring of annual corporate budget, and regular forecasting of expenditures for Chemonics and client.

Technical

• Actively engages in technical practice of relevance to areas of interest or focus, sharing information and best practices learned with the company. This includes connecting the practice and project in support of enhanced project performance and technical leadership goals of the practice.
• Promotes Chemonics by attending external events, networking with clients and counterparts, articulating a solid understanding of Chemonics’ past and present portfolio, effectively representing the company’s history, values, and standards, and identifying and developing new business leads.

New Business Development

• Supports new business efforts, including lead development and capture. Serves in line roles of increasing complexity and leadership (e.g. proposal coordinator, expatriate/local recruiter, personnel/management/organizational capacity section writer, subs-liaison, cost preparer, and technical writer).

Management and Leadership

• Performs all tasks and responsibilities demonstrating behaviors consistent with Chemonics’ values and competencies appropriate for the position.
• Supervises, mentors, develops, and evaluates assigned staff. Provides regular performance feedback, and the time and opportunity to grow professionally.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Works independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated experience following standard practices and procedures, receiving general instruction on work progress, and making significant contribution to end results.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office applications and word processing abilities.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant project management experience.
• Familiarity with USAID grants under contract (GUCs) experience strongly preferred.
• Thorough understanding of donor/client requirements and how to apply them to project management.
• Demonstrated experience working on one or more projects while simultaneously providing support to proposals.
• Previous experience working on OTI programming required.
• Demonstrated experience providing regional financial and/or compliance support on a project management team.
• Demonstrated critical project management skills, including budget management, contractual and procurement compliance, client relations and knowledge of client, and personnel management.
• Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting work in developing countries preferred.
• Willing to travel up to 8 weeks per year.
• Experience supervising or mentoring employees preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem solving and initiative to learn new skills.
• Willingness to travel to conflict zones required.