Senior Program Officer

FHI 360 staff working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of the type of project or client they serve, or of their employment status (full / part-time, remote, telework, or in-office), unless an accommodation applies. FHI 360 complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.

This position will work in FHI 360's West Africa / Middle East Regional Office (WAMERO), supporting the Anglophone West Africa portfolio. WAMERO provides a country-centered approach to its partner countries by utilizing an expanded team of enterprise services establishing both the operating platform and shared services that support project implementation. The team is comprised of experts who provide programmatic, financial, human resource, information technology and contractual strategic leadership in the geographic area of intervention. WAMERO is responsible for strategic planning at the country level, is accountable for bilateral programs and manages the platform for global programs in focus countries. The Senior Program Officer position will support bilateral projects, as well as provide inputs to the platform for activities managed by the WAMERO Anglophone team across a portfolio that includes Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Yemen, among others.

Job Summary :

Implements projects of more complexity. Ensures project activities are on track with work plans and with technical expertise informing project implementation. Gathers information to assist project with multifaceted and complicated activities. Ensures compliance with internal and external regulations. Monitors expenditures against budget and may have access to confidential project information (i.e., salary information). Ensures completion of project while adhering to budget, scope, and schedule requirements. Develops / reviews work plans, prepares presentations, and supports other related project objectives and deliverables. The Program Officer role vary according to organizational location. Program Officers based within Business Units primarily support global awards, business development, and administrative aspects of technical inputs and resources. Program Officers within Regional Offices provide the primary management support role for country-managed projects. Program Officers embedded in projects are responsible for direct project implementation and delivery.

Accountabilities :

Programmatic Management :

Supports management team through coordination of project resources (people), planning for deliverables, and leading meetings.

Possesses advanced knowledge project management and understands integration with technical program implementation.

Ensure compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies and procedures.

Provides initial review and comments on programmatic reports and annual work plans.

Oversees reporting process to ensure client requirements are met; may aggregate reporting for strategic oversight of a portfolio.

Represents project at client / funder meetings and participates in external events.

Liaises with client regarding the overall project and communicates planning and task completion.

Serves as project point of contact with subawardees / partners.

Promote and facilitate communication between assigned projects and other relevant internal and external stakeholders, including various units within the country or headquarters (HQ).

Monitors sub-awardee / partner deliverables and takes action as required.

Monitors project risks and informs senior managers of issues.

Programmatic Administration :

Support projects knowledge management initiatives in documenting approaches and achievements.

Provides context and framing in project reporting.

Ensures document management site is used appropriately by project team.

Provides operations support, e.g., writes position descriptions, participates on staff interview panels, and serves as hiring manager as needed.

Conducts new hire onboarding on department procedures and administrative processes.

May liaise with Corporate on matters concerning data integrity associated with HR systems, team finance system, etc. and other administrative matters delegated by senior project staff.

Business Development and Proposal Management Support :

Help to identify funding opportunities and participate with Business Development and Diversification (BDD) efforts, including capture work and development and / or review of proposal narratives and budgets.

Leads aspects of business development and project design efforts such as drafting management section in a proposal.

May lead design activities, likely sub-components of a larger project or overall design of some smaller awards.

Leads project design tasks and approach to project tasks and may lead project-level tasks in multiple task areas.

Participates in capture management, selects partners, and drafts team agreements, and leads aspects of proposal design.

Support the subaward design and is responsible for subaward monitoring.

Finance Support :

Support assigned projects in areas including start-up, work planning, budget development, project reporting, and general problem-solving.

Provide on-going programmatic and financial oversight to assigned projects, including monitoring of spending rates, sub-awards, deliverables, reports, etc.

Reviews or approves purchase orders in the finance system of record (HQ only)

Contributes to the development of the project's budget process.

Reads and interprets budget to understand tracking.

Reviews or approves expense reports.

Reviews or approves invoices.

Applied Knowledge & Skills :

Advanced knowledge of project management concepts and practices.

May have or be in the process of developing content knowledge in a functional area.

Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.

Ability to influence and collaborate with others.

Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.

Competencies :

There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies. Of greatest focus for this job are :

Project Management (Planning and Time Management) - Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives / goals / measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task / people assignments. Marshal's people, time, and resource efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.

People Management (Making Others Great) - Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks / decisions. Monitor's process, progress and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.

Creating and Managing Systems and Processes - Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.

Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact :

Works on problems of complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors.

Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions.

Networks with key internal and external personnel.

Decisions may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given / Received :

Serves as a team lead and mentors lower-level personnel.

Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel.

May serve as a provide guidance to other lower-level personnel.

Typically reports to a Manager / Associate Director / Director.

Education :

Bachelor's Degree or its International Equivalent

• Civil Society, Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, the Environment, Gender, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a Related Fields.

Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Typically requires a minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience with projects management principles and practices.

Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.

Prior experience managing compliance with USG contracts strongly preferred.

Prior experience in development and / or review of proposal narratives and budgets for a variety of funders strongly preferred.

International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management preferred.

Typical Physical Demands :

Typical office environment.

Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Ability to move 5 - 25 lbs.

Technology to be Used :

Personal Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype / TEAMS, e-mail), office telephone, cell phone and printer / copier.

Travel Requirements :

10% - 25%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work / life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others - and yourself.