Senior Program Officer

The Senior Program Officer will work as a member of the Francophone West Africa team within FHI 360’s West Africa Regional Office, which provides support for country offices in West Africa. The West Africa Regional Office 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. The West Africa Regional Office is responsible for strategic planning at the country level, is accountable for bilateral programs and manages the platform for global programs in our countries. The Senior Program Officer position will support our bilateral projects in the French speaking West Africa region as well as the platform for activities being managed in the region. The ideal candidate is an experienced USAID project/ contracts manager. They must read, write and speak French.

Job Summary:

The Senior Program Officer is a senior administrative and project management position which coordinates principally with the Contracts Management, Procurement, and Finance Teams within FHI to provide operational, managerial, administrative assistance and support to programs. Provides administrative, technical and project support, in addition to communication efforts related to program management and execution. As a primary function, the Senior Program Officer reviews and processes sub-award and procurement actions. Ensures compliance with internal and external regulations. Monitors budget for programs and develops monitoring system for reviewing project status. Ensures completion of program while adhering to budget, scope, and schedule requirements. Develops/Reviews work plans, prepares presentations, and supports other related program objectives and deliverables.

Accountabilities:

• Oversees and represents the organization in all aspects of the program in coordination with project leaders and FHI Business Units.
• Ensuring integrity of program in coordination with project leaders.
• Ensuring integrity of design and implementation of program, achievement of project performance objective, and deliverables.
• Mentors staff and provides training on systems, policies, and regulations.
• Provides support to program management teams, administratively and technically, such as troubleshooting, updates to work plans, travel coordination and program activities monitoring.
• Supports program/project to provide high quality deliverables to clients.
• Provides technical input to projects, including monitoring and evaluation.
• Tracks performance against Financial Cost Objective (FCO) ID, project timelines, budget, objectives, and deliverables.
• Works with Project Manager on developing budgets, proposals, managing grants, project materials, and information.
• Provides timely and high-quality work plans with programmatic, financial, technical reports.
• Monitors budgets, ensuring accountability of all project activities.
• Facilitates communication by answering partner inquires and monitoring project websites. Designs, implements, and coordinates specific program activities and may conduct research to achieve program goals.
• Develops, reviews, and/or translates reports, briefing papers, press releases, and presentations as necessary for one or multiple projects/programs.
• Documents and shares project accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned among internal and external partners.
• Develops and maintains relationships serving as the liaison for internal units, (finance, contracts, HR), as well as government officials, local communities, and other organizations.
• Identifies resource development opportunities and supports the writing, budget preparation and general development of proposals.
• Represents organization in matters pertaining to the execution of the program.

Competencies: There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for the position will be:

• USAID 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. Marshals 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.
• Monitors 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 mentor and provide guidance to junior staff.
• Typically reports to a Manager/ Associate Director/ Director.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with program design.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated program/project management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.

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.

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.

Experience:

• Typically requires a minimum of 6 + years’ experience with program management, cross- cultural communications, US Government rules and regulations.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
• International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management preferred.
• Substantial experience using computerized information systems.
• Experience with USG donors.
• Sub-award management experience.
• Articulate and professional and able to communicate in a clear, positive fashion with clients and staff.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English with proficiency in French.
• Prior team lead experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at a computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5 - 25 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Laptop, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/TEAMS, email), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier Salesforce
• SharePoint

Travel Requirements:

• 10%-25%

The expected US-based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. Candidate FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

US Based Hiring Salary Range: $85,000 - $107,000

International hiring ranges will differ based on location.

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.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

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 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

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.

Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.