Senior Programme Officer , East Africa

Location: London Headquarters (50%); Field (50%)

Reports To: Regional Director for East Africa

SUMMARY: The Senior Program Officer is a mid-level country desk officer at RI responsible for ensuring substantive contributions to and developing a leadership practice for the achievement of HQ-level management, continuing development, and daily support for assigned country programs and the region under the direction of the Regional Director and broader oversight of the Vice President of International Programs. The Senior Program Officer upholds the highest standards of the RI country desk officer management practice by delivering those areas of work and associated duties via a basic foundation of skills and capacities. At the discretion of the Regional Director, the Senior Program Officer may be assigned to supervise and mentor interns in the HQ regional team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES All duties will be conducted under the RI established Standard Operating Policies and Procedures. The following terms of reference summarizes the Areas of Work and associated Tasks for RI’s Country Desk Officer Practice to be performed and delivered by the Senior Program Manager. The Senior Program Officer will execute this common set of duties and practices as a mid-level, country desk management practitioner capable of contributing with a good foundational skills with a willingness to grow in depth for teamwork and independent leadership in the delivery of results and meeting expectations under the guidance and direction of the Regional Director and in accordance with senior management. A priority assignment for this role will be the desk management of an anticipated large grant advancing girls’ education.

Program Management

The following Program Management areas of work and tasks are to be executed from the HQ level in partnership with Country Offices / Country Leadership, with complimentary support and effort on the same areas of work conducted specifically during Field Visits.

Project Cycle Management: Provide hands-on contributions and leadership where assigned for the coordination and organization of project designs, project mobilization and closure management; project management support to country and project personnel; performance and impact tracking; and at-risk projects management.

Country Office-HQ Liaising: Provide hands-on contributions and leadership where assigned for the coordination and organization of communications with assigned country offices; management of country and regional context information; conducting routine country field visits; contributing to host country and local relations; managing country program hibernations; and organizing linked Country Office-HQ calendars for time management on project cycle deliverables.

Personnel Support & HR Coordination: Provide hands-on contributions and leadership where assigned for the coordination and organization of country-based personnel matters in coordination with the Human Resources Department for country personnel staff care; international personnel recruitment; performance evaluation of international personnel; grievance management; international deployments and repatriations; information management and support for country office-based human resources matters; and nominations to the RI National Officer Corps.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.

• Bachelors or Masters degree in business, agriculture or other technical area related to the core sectors – finance, water, energy, agriculture and/or natural resourced management. MUST have a business or technical background to apply. • Ten years related international experience, both at the field and headquarters levels.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with international development programming.
• Excellent writing and research skills and high level of computer literacy. • Strong experience of DFID regulations and grants administration. • Strong budgeting and financial forecasting skills, including experience in preparing business plans. MUST have budgeting experience to apply. • Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex activities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound judgment. • Willingness to take part in program related domestic and international travel. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently.

This is a UK-based position, and a candidate must be legally authorized to work in the UK.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, salary history, 3 professional references (e-mail, address and phone number), and date of availability to http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=RI&cws=4&ri.... The email subject line MUST include the following: Senior Programme Officer - East Africa.