Head of Programs

Head of Programs

Welthungerhilfe

Freetown, Sierra Leone

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of one year. There are good prospects for an extension. Employment location will be Freetown, Sierra Leone, with frequent travel to project locations in the country.

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has been working in Sierra Leone since 2003. In this period, WHH has implemented multi-sectoral actions, mostly long-term development cooperation projects in collaboration with local and international partners but also emergency responses to the Ebola crisis and, more recently, Covid-19 pandemic. Through private and institutional funding (e.g., BMZ, the EU, Irish Aid) and in partnership with national partner organizations, WHH Sierra Leone implements projects in the areas of sustainable and resilient agriculture, natural resource management, nutrition, WASH, waste management, skills development, and advocacy for the right to food and land governance.

As Head of Programs, you will support the development of the multiannual country strategy and contribute to its implementation and monitoring in order to maximise the impact of the intervention. Under the supervision of the Country Director, you will lead the implementation and monitoring of the country program according to the Sierra Leone country strategy and quality standards. Additionally, you will instruct and support projects and national implementing partners in matters relating to project management, as well as review and assess the status of program related processes and workflows and identifying gaps and measures for improvements.

Your responsibilities

• Contribute towards the definition and orientation of the planned multiannual program strategy within the thematic and related areas
• Ensure feasibility, sustainability and exit strategies in projects
• Lead on concept/proposal development processes and write project reports for donor submission
• Identify co-financing opportunities and negotiate with donors in agreement with the Country Director and Head Office
• Coordinate the preparation of internal project documents and ensure the preparation of cost and financing plans
• Identify potential new project partners and ensure active collaboration with partner organizations and their capacity building
• Identify lessons learnt from programs, projects and general approaches
• Control the implementation of projects and programs according to WHH quality standards, including the setup of an effective and participatory M&E system, and supervise the use of funds and financial requirements
• Monitor the evolution of possible crises through early warning indicators
• Participate in coordination committees/sector working groups with other relevant organizations
• Represent WHH vis-à-vis other national and international, governmental and non-governmental bodies as well as relief and development organizations

Your profile

• University or college degree in a relevant field such as international relations, program management or rural development
• At least 5 years of professional experience working in the global south in development/relief programming in a similar position, preferably in an international NGO
• Proven experience working with implementing partners/local NGOs
• Regional working experience would be an advantage
• Time management, organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Strong capacity building skills
• Excellent communication and intercultural skills, and the ability to motivate team members
• Analytical and conceptual competence as well as coordination skills, even under high workload
• Readiness to receive necessary vaccinations for working in Welthungerhilfe’s project countries
• Excellent spoken and written English; German language skills would be an asset

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