Agricultural program manager

A Continued Commitment to Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Assistance in Palestine
Job Title: Agricultural program manager-مدير برنامج الزراعة في منطقة غزة
Location: Gaza
Closing Date: 13/10/2011

Welfare Association (WA), a leading agency supporting Palestinian development and relief efforts, is seeking a dynamic leader and team builder with excellent conceptual, analytical and organizational skills for the position of Agricultural Program Manager- Gaza, reporting to a senior programs manager. The program manger will bear overall responsibility for the efficient and effective management of the Agricultural Program and Projects developed and implemented under this area of operation.

Responsibilities & Duties:
In accordance with established WA policy & regulations:
a-Program Inception and Development
1-Participate in preparing strategic & action plans at the relevant WA programmatic sector/ area of operations.
2-Support the fundraising and visibility activities required for the growth of the relevant programmatic sector.
3-Ability to produce narrative and financial periodic reports as needed.
b- Program Initiation and Management
1-Initiate new approved programs and projects including conducting final negotiations with beneficiaries and preparing grant implementation agreements (GIAs).
2-Manage programs & projects of relevance ensuring adherence to the WA strategic plan declared objectives, and compliance to WA and donors requirements.
3-Oversee and ensure adequate programs and projects implementation through:
-Keeping regular contact with beneficiary organizations and conducting regular field visits to program sites.
-Manage day-to-day operational technical and financial tasks related to programs.
-Receive and review technical and financial reports from beneficiaries and following up on issues needing further clarifications or additional supporting documents.
-Monitor / Follow up implementation progress to ensure the achievement of program / project deliverables in a quantitative, qualitative, and timely fashion.
-Anticipating impediments to program implementation plans and developing mitigation plans.
-Assist in resolving any emerging operational problems arising at the program and project level, and proposing solutions and amendments to implementation plans and agreements as needed.
-Keep orderly filing of information and program / project documentation.
-Ensuring proper program and project closure including the design and implementation of internal and external program evaluations.
4-Manage the overall approved budget for programs & projects under a specific WA programmatic sector/ area of operations.
c-Staffing and Directing
1-Support in the recruitment of relevant project coordinators if needed.
2-Supervising project coordinators when present for that specific sector.
3-Participate in the evaluation of projects coordinators in coordination with WA HR and management.
d-Evaluation and Reporting
1-Under supervision of the Senior Program Manager , participate in developing program and sector key performance indicators (KPI) and in measuring the impact of interventions in the relevant sector.
2-Prepare and submit periodic reports on programs & projects level in the specific geographic area under his/her responsibility as per agreed upon overall reporting plan, as well as contributing as needed to the WA publications.
e-Representation and Community Relations
1-Participate actively in representing the programmatic sector at the internal and communal level through organizing and attending meeting, workshops, seminars, and meeting external experts and visitors and donors…etc.
2-Support the capacity building of potential and current beneficiary organizations including proposal writing, and technical and financial reporting.
3-Facilitate the work of the Program Support Unit (PSU) in evaluating the organizational capacity of potential and current beneficiary organizations as needed as well as the work of internal and external auditors.

Functional Relations:
-With other Program Mangers as well as all other departments relevant staff.
-Coordinating with the program support unit regarding the fund allocation and program expenditure.
-Communicating with partners and beneficiaries for program objectives alignment and monitoring progress.

Academic and Professional Qualifications and Experience:
-A university degree (Masters Degree preferred) in a technical area related to the Agriculture, environment, or food security or relevant field
-Minimum 5 years of relevant program management experience.
-Strong project management training and experience.
-Excellent communication and reporting skills in both languages (Arabic and English).
-Excellent computer skills (MS-Office, MS-Project, and Internet Applications)
-Ability and willingness to travel as needed.

To apply for this position: Applicants should send their CV, bio data and a cover letter that includes
justification of interest in this post to the following email address: [email protected]
Welfare Association is an equal opportunity employer. Women are encouraged to apply.