Area Program Manager

Quality Program Implementation, Management and Reporting

• Responsible and accountable for programmes in the area and for the implementation and management of programmes in accordance with Organization’s strategies and policies for quality programming.
• Ensure that the Area Office teams receive appropriate and timely support from technical specialists and MEAL team for program design and strategy, M&E, advocacy and planning.
• Contribute to strategy and proposal development within the area under the overall leadership of DCD. Responsible for ensuring that proposals are relevant, contextualized and inclusive of all required support and staffing costs at the field level.
• Ensure that the programmes are appropriately monitored reviewed and evaluated on a continuous basis according to organizational quality standards and in coordination with the Technical specialists, MEAL team and the DCD. 
• Ensure appropriate systems for all aspects of programme cycle management are in place ensuring lessons learned are taken into account.
• Develop and share quality reports in time with the DCD and MEAL team as per the donor's agreement.

Operational Management

• Overall responsibility for  Programme area and ensuring planning, implementation and management in accordance with Organization procedures, systems and guidelines.
• Lead the Area Team in ensuring smooth day-to-day running of field operations and ensure that programme plans are clearly prioritized and communicated to the operations team effectively;
• Conduct regular Area Management Meetings (preferably fortnightly) to enhance information sharing among Area Management Team members and the effectiveness of operations.
• Work closely with the Head of Support to ensure adequate logistical support to deliver high-quality programmes effectively.
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews are carried out periodically or episodically with support from the DCD and MEAL departments.
• Lead development and monitoring of field-based detailed programme implementation and grant management work plans. Responsible for ensuring that field-based teams implement projects/programmes on schedule and within budget.
• Responsible for the delivery of high-quality, timely reports for donors and internal purposes, as well as the development of relevant case studies, success stories and other documentation.
• Lead field-based start-up meetings of new projects with relevant Country level staff to guarantee a joint understanding among team members of donor requirements, budget responsibilities, technical requirements and other considerations.
• Ensure standardised systems, policies and procedures are in place, well understood by all staff and in line with the country programme system and are implemented in an appropriate manner
• Ensure transparency in targeting beneficiaries, delivery of services and participation of beneficiaries and partners in planning and monitoring of the process is reflected in programme delivery.
• Ensure all relevant government authorities and partners are included in the planning and implementation of all projects as appropriate.
• Draw up plans, proposals and budgets for new projects/extensions of the project in conjunction with the Deputy Country Director and the Country Director.
• Ensure that the Organization’s values and principles are embedded in all programme planning, implementation and reporting and that staff receive regular, up-to-date training on same.

Financial, Budget and Grant Management

• Responsible for all budgets provided to the area. This may be delegated to other budget holders but overall accountability for the budgets for the area remains with the Programme Manager.
• Lead monthly project management meetings at appropriate levels with the team and share regular updates with Deputy Country Director. In coordination with the Finance department, ensure timely reports providing a variance analysis on each budget is submitted to Deputy Country Director on a Monthly basis.
• Identify any budget challenges or issues such as over or underspend and propose solutions to Deputy Country Director as soon as issues are identified.
• Oversee the general application and observance of financial procedures and guidelines set out in the organization’s financial manual and donors’ requirements
• Ensure the grants are managed as per the Organization and donors’ requirements including the quality and timely submission of reports
• In collaboration with technical specialists, ensure an efficient fundraising plan is in place and implemented.
• Prepare, and submit for approval program budgets and expenditure forecasts.
• Responsible for certifying and authorizing disbursements according to Organization and donor guidelines

Security

• Ensure that security guidelines are followed in the project location and that any breaches of these are handled appropriately and reported immediately to the Country Director and the Deputy Country Director.
• Develop a clear safety and security management plan for all areas of interventions in coordination with and collaboration with Security Focal Point. Ensure that staff understand and can implement this plan – and that it is reviewed and updated regularly.
• Ensure that daily communication is maintained between the Area office and the field sites and

Human Resources

• Lead, manage and motivate the Area Programme team through clearly defined work objectives and individual/team work plans and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.
• In coordination with the team, maintain appropriate staffing levels and structures in the Area programme team, whilst planning and implementing specific actions to recruit, manage and motivate staff.
• Ensure appropriate gender and ethnic diversity within the Area Programme team.
• Ensure that Area staff has clearly defined objectives and understands their responsibilities. Ensure compliance with staff development strategies and Performance Management systems and evaluations.
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Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• Screening clearance
• Receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to live and work in Pakistan. We are unable to progress applications that would require sponsorship.

Our Values and Commitment to Safeguarding:

IR is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IR engages. IR expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer.