Program Manager – Northern Response (Re-advertised)

Strategic Alignment and visioning: Outcome-oriented and ensuring that each project within the program supports the programmatic vision and the programme contributes to the organization’s strategic objectives and priorities.

Resource Allocation: Optimizing the allocation of resources (e.g., finances, personnel, equipment) across projects and program initiatives to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across the programme/ portfolio to minimize potential negative impacts on the organization.

Advocacy & Influencing: Contribute to Oxfam’s advocacy and influencing initiatives by suggesting advocacy and influencing asks around projects and programme; representation in public and private domains for advocacy and influencing for policy initiatives within the country, cluster, regional and global programmes in line with Oxfam’s priorities and values.

Performance Monitoring: Tracking the progress and performance of projects and initiatives within the programme/ portfolio to ensure they meet their objectives and deliver expected benefits.

Decision-Making: Decisiveness and making informed decisions about starting, continuing, or stopping projects and initiatives based on their performance and alignment with programmatic strategic goals.

An understanding of the wider issues of the team members’ professional work, the international humanitarian context, working in volatile and complex setup, Oxfam’s ways of working, the priorities of other departments/regions within Oxfam.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

General Responsibilities:

• Oversee the quality implementation of Oxfam’s programme in the respective programme and sub-offices

• Represent Oxfam at the regional level. Establish and maintain working and collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders in three regions (Tigray, Amhara, and Afar), including regional and zonal authorities, local organizations and communities, contractors, and international organizations. Secure their continuous support for Oxfam’s work in the regions, by ensuring effective communication about Oxfam and its work, including Oxfam’s overall purpose and goals as well as specific program objectives in the area.

• Participate in relevant external coordination meetings, including those called for by regional authorities, UN/OCHA, sub-clusters, or other relevant stakeholders.

• Take overall responsibility for the implementation of Oxfam’s Country Strategy (OCS) in the respective programme and sub-offices. This includes a) implementation of project grants; b) the identification of needs, priorities, and opportunities for further humanitarian, development, and advocacy interventions; c) regular consultations with Oxfam Ethiopia country office managers for initiatives that contribute to the implementation of the OCS.

• Supervise the work of department heads and other senior staff at the programme office.

• Continuously evaluate developments on the ground as related to humanitarian, resilience, and development needs and priorities of the people/communities and their organisations, and advise the country office on needed humanitarian and development interventions through regular needs assessment and program monitoring.

• Ensure regular communication with the Oxfam country office in Addis Ababa in order to ensure the country office is informed in a timely manner of significant new developments on the ground that affect/may affect programme implementation

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Program Management
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Provide overall leadership for the effective implementation of project grants (both direct and through partnerships) at the regional level, ensuring alignment with Oxfam’s strategic priorities.
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Oversee project planning, execution, and monitoring, ensuring high-quality delivery that meets donor and organizational standards.
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Lead regional program design, including needs assessments, proposal development, and integration of the triplex nexus approach.
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Foster strong collaboration with internal teams (HR, Logistics, Finance, MEAL) to develop result-based work plans and phased budgets, ensuring efficient resource utilization.
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Identify risks and bottlenecks in project implementation and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
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Conduct monthly site visits to monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure adherence to humanitarian standards and best practices.
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Strengthen partnerships and consortium management, ensuring effective coordination and accountability among stakeholders.

2. Financial and Operational Oversight
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Ensure sound financial and procurement management, strictly adhering to Oxfam’s policies and donor regulations.
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Lead budget planning and monitoring, ensuring timely disbursement and utilization of funds in alignment with project objectives.
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Work closely with finance and procurement teams to streamline processes and mitigate financial risks.
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Ensure necessary logistics, procurement, and administrative support are in place for seamless project execution.
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Promote a safe and conducive work environment, adhering to organizational security protocols.

3. People and Performance Management
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Lead and develop a high-performing team by ensuring clarity in roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
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Work closely with the HR team to recruit, onboard, and retain skilled professionals aligned with Oxfam’s values and operational needs.
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Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance capacity and career growth.
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Promote a culture of accountability, safeguarding, and adherence to humanitarian standards, including PSEAH and Core Humanitarian Standards.
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Conduct regular performance appraisals and provide constructive feedback to enhance individual and team effectiveness.

4. Reporting, Documentation, and Donor Engagement
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Ensure the timely and high-quality submission of internal and donor reports, including financialand narrative components.
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Work with the MEAL team to document best practices, lessons learned, and impact stories to inform program improvement and strategic communication.
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Represent Oxfam in external engagements, including donor meetings, coordination forums, and advocacy platforms.

Security and Emergency Response
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Ensure adherence to Oxfam’s security protocols, updating local security plans as needed and mitigating risks in operational areas.
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Monitor security dynamics and report risks promptly to leadership, ensuring staff safety and program continuity.
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Lead preparedness and rapid response efforts for new emergencies, including crisis modifiers and ‘emergency in an emergency’ interventions.
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Provide leadership for localized emergency response, ensuring a coordinated and principled approach to humanitarian assistance.

5. Security and Emergency Response
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Ensure adherence to Oxfam’s security protocols, updating local security plans as needed and mitigating risks in operational areas.
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Monitor security dynamics and report risks promptly to leadership, ensuring staff safety and program continuity.
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Lead preparedness and rapid response efforts for new emergencies, including crisis modifiers and ‘emergency in an emergency’ interventions.
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Provide leadership for localized emergency response, ensuring a coordinated and principled approach to humanitarian assistance.