Organization Description
Right to Play (RTP) is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through sports and games, RTP helps children in more than 20 countries build essential life skills and better futures, while driving social change in their communities in sustainable and lasting ways.
JOB SUMMARY
The Program Manager reports directly to Country Manager (CM) and technically to the Regional Program Manager (RPM), where applicable. The incumbent is responsible for the program development and implementation in the country of operation.
SUPERVISORY AND ADVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- DIRECT REPORTING LINES: Project Officer
- INDIRECT TECHNICAL REPORTING LINES: N/A
- INDIRECT ADVISORY RESPONSIBILITES: The incumbent provides advice to partners’ staff on Program related issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
In accordance with Right To Play (RTP) approved policies and procedures, the employee:
Program strategic planning
- Leads the programmatic management of all in country projects.
- Leads the design and development of program strategies and plans with the program team and ensures their alignment with RTP strategies.
- Ensures the program team stays abreast of the current program goals and objectives and participates in the program expansion plans.
- Ensures the program teams are implementing program activities in line with donor requirements to achieve project outcomes.
- Coordinates the preparation of timely and cost effective operational plans, budgets and strategic plans with the program team.
- Acts as advocacy manager ensuring that the program addresses the needs of the people and is appropriate for the respective country.
- Supports the CM in developing project proposals for new projects.
Program quality, accountability and reporting
- Maintains the existing process of monitoring and evaluation (ME) and reporting system of RTP.
- Oversees submission of proper accountabilities of program funds and quality narrative reports in line with donor requirements.
- Provides quarterly updates of lessons learned and best practices to CM’s and stakeholders ensuring that program lessons are being used to promote improved program delivery.
- Conducts regular monitoring visits to project locations.
Program financial management:
- Coordinates with finance team to provide financial training for non-financial staff in effective country program financial management, including procurement, project implementation, compliances and project financial reporting.
- Supports the budget planning processes to ensure that program funds are expended according to procedures and plans.
- Collaborates with the program team and develops new initiatives to be integrated into the budget.
Team management, compliances and capacity building:
- Communicates the program vision to the program team, leads and directs them toward achieving the program goals and objectives.
- Ensures that the program team have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities; supported by clear job descriptions to ensure quality performance.
- Conducts program staffing needs assessment, presents recommendations to the CM and participates in the recruitment of the program team.
- Facilitates the capacity building of program team to ensure they have the appropriate skill levels for their positions and are developing to their full capacity; provides the necessary feedback to the program team and completes their performance appraisals.
- Provides direct support to the program team in the form of systems and tools.
- Implements policies and procedures that guide and support RTP activities, ensures compliance with RTP code of conduct, gender and child protection policies.
- Develops and strengthens the program team’s understanding of project cycle management.
Representation and collaboration:
- Facilitates linkages, collaboration and networking with other civil society organizations and government and other relevant institutions to enhance RTP visibility and program activities.
- Represents RTP in various platforms and maintains positive relationships with governments and other relevant stakeholders regarding RTP activities.
- Identifies and develops new partnerships with local NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and the communities.
- Oversees the management of existing partnerships.
- Ensures ownership of the program by local partners and stakeholders.
- Meets with partners’ staff and community leaders to discuss program improvement as needed.
- Joins the CM in meetings and represents him/her when required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:
The incumbent is expected to plan the activities for the entire program in coordination with the team and in line with the approved country plan. However, the incumbent is required to have some flexibility in the plan to respond to urgent needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Must have):
EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development studies or other related disciplines.
EXPERIENCE: 5 years’ experience managing international development programs and liaising with government officials and donors. Proven experience in project planning, proposal development, report writing, resource mobilization, networking, partnership-building and working with NGOs.
COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Superior organizational skills and ability to multi-task on a constant basis.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders.
- Ability to work under pressure meeting deadlines in a fast paced fluid environment.
- Creative and flexible with problem solving skills.
- Demonstrated professionalism and diplomacy.
- Ability to confidently represent oneself and RTP to high-level officials.
- Strategy planning skills.
- People management particularly coaching and influence management.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Strong MS Office and program management tools and procedures.
- Budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data.
- Project management skills.
- Understanding of the concept of sport for development.
- Understanding of community development processes.
LANGUAGES: Fluency in written and spoken English and local languages.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (An Asset):
- Experience in quality improvement.
- Experience working in child protection, education sector.
- Sport and play experience.
- Experience in strengthening civil societies.
- Coaching background.
- Gender mainstreaming and governance background.
JOB CONTRIBUTIONS/IMPACT:
- PROBLEM SOLVING: The incumbent is expected to deal with variable problems using analysis, problem definition and alternative solutions development. Seeks the CM’s support when required.
- FINANCIAL IMPACT: Accuracy of budget is of essence and consequences of error are serious in terms of resources, ability to complete work at hand and RTP’s image. The incumbent is expected to make sure that the implementation of the program is within the approved budget.
- INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: The incumbent is expected to generate reports and share findings from program experiences with the CM and higher reporting levels. The incumbent is also expected to share the experience with other PMs in the region.
- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: The incumbent is responsible for observing and evaluating the project and activities implementation and recommending changes and amendments accordingly.
- RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: The incumbent is expected to enhance relationships with partners by staying in regular contact and requesting feedback on ongoing projects. He/she is also responsible for maintaining positive relationships with all staff.
CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Internal: Country Manager, Regional Program Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer, Training Officer, program team, other RTP country staff, other Program Managers in the region where applicable.
- External: Partners, partners’ staff, government representatives, donors, other UN and NGOs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND EFFORT: The incumbent will be dividing his/her time between the office and the field based on the need to attend stakeholders meetings, conduct field visits and follow up on project implementation.
- SENSORY DEMANDS: The incumbent’s job requires concentration, accuracy and attention to details.
- MENTAL DEMANDS: The incumbent’s job requires attention to deadlines and ability to deal with stressful situations.
- ADDITIONAL JOB RELATED CONDITIONS: The incumbent is required to travel within the country. Travel outside country is possible as well.
Compensation
RTP offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
Additional:
Applications will only be considered from candidates who are currently in Jordan and who are currently authorized to work in the country.
While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Right to Play is a Child-Centered Organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com
