Program Director

Internal and External Vacancy Announcement

Plant with Purpose/Floresta Ethiopia is non-governmental organization based in San Diego, CA, USA, whose mission is to reverse poverty and deforestation by transforming the lives of the rural poor with emphasis on gender equity and inclusion.

Floresta Ethiopia is implementing different development societal activities to improve economic empowerment and environmental restoration in AndebetWoreda, South Gondar Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Thus, Floresta Ethiopia would like to invite competent candidates who fulfill the requirements listed below.

General Function

The Program Director is a highly visible Leadership and Management position that reports to and assists the Country Director. The Program Director will manage all aspects of the Program and administrative issues of the Andabet office, including, implementation and development of the program and support functions to facilitate the implementation of the program strategy. Provide leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the Program and administration.

The Program Director also plays a key role in external representation, legal compliance, grant management, program coordination and team leadership

S/He directly supervises the Program Heads and Andabet based administrative staff, and ensures that the Floresta Ethiopia work is carried out according to policies and procedures. The Program Director serves as the Floresta Ethiopia Country Director in their absence.

 Specific duties and responsibilities

Operational duties

• Work with the Country Director, Finance and Administration Manager and other members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) to develop internal administrative, financial and personnel policies as appropriate
• Ensure the implementation of the program and compliance with internal policies. In collaboration with managers, improve and innovate policies and procedures for functional and operational areas within FE.
• Ensure that job responsibilities are clearly described, communicated and duties delegated appropriately among the program and administrative staff in Andabet.

Programmatic duties

• Support the Country Director in the Management of Floretsa Ethiopia to achieve the overall goals and strategic objectives;
• Ensure that the Program mainstreams the issues of gender inclusion and equity in all elements of the program
• Under the supervision of the Country Director, ensure that the annual and quarterly plans are developed and executed in consultation with the Program Heads, according to the principles of Results-Based Management (RBM);
• Work with key staff to develop performance targets measurements  to ensure consistent, high quality evaluation and goal setting for employees,
• Coordinate and handle the internal and external communications strategy and plan of Floresta Ethiopia in Program areas
• Ensure that both internal and external program evaluations are conducted on time-based donor and Floresta Ethiopia requirements,
• Manage and support the program team within the management structure of the organization (annual planning, coordination, financial and operational monitoring, risk management, etc.)
• Ensure that the program implementation procedures are followed by the Departments’ Heads;
• Ensure the monitoring of progress towards the expected results of the program; Monitor the adequacy of the resources allocated to the activities of the program and all its components and the proper use and stewardship of funds by the Department Heads,
• Handle certain issues and special projects, delegated by the Country Director,
• Prepare the files of the management committee, write its reports and ensure the follow-up of its decisions,
• She/He is responsible for the regular production of program activity reports (quarterly, semi-annually and annually) and their dissemination to the proper authority,
• Participate in the development of annual and multi-year plans for Floresta Ethiopia and other strategic plans,
• Develop project proposals to be submitted to donors,
• Carry out any other activity entrusted to it by the Country Director

Technical skills

• Strong ability to lead and energize teams.
• Control of the legal and financial environment of the organization,
• Know-how in management, relationships, internal and external communication of the organization,
• Knowledge of the environment of the organization
• Gender inclusion and equity
• Personal qualities
• Organization,
• Writing skills,
• Good communication skills
• Teamwork leader
• Ability to make decisions
• Autonomy
• Rigor
• Creativity
• Taste for challenge

Qualities for success

• a vision for integrated community development which links the environmental, economic and spiritual aspects of rural households
• ability to think creatively and pursue new solutions to existing challenges
• deep knowledge of local context in Andabet, South Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ability to optimize financial, time, and human resources to achieve desired project outcomes
• ability to relate across cultures
• the PPM must personally model a high standard of service, ministry and integrity through lifestyle and work relationships
• must be a citizen of Ethiopia

Travel requirements and demands

Frequent travel to project sites which at times may be in difficult and physically arduous conditions

Reports to: Country Director

Supervises: Staff based at Andabet, South Gondar Zone

Location: Andabet Woreda, Amhara, South Gondar Zone of Ethiopia

Job Status:  Full Time Contract

Required Skills

• excellent community development skills
• leadership and management skills
• fluent in Amharic and English both spoken and written
• good planning skills
• good writing and reporting skills
• interest in theology of the care of creation, conservation, forestry, sustainable agriculture and micro-finance with demonstrated expertise (training/work experience) in at least one of these areas
• at least 7 years experience in community development
• at least 4 years experience in project management including supervision of multiple positions

Education Background

• BA/BSC or MA/MSc in  Gender studies, Community development,  Livelihood and development, Social work, sociology, Project planning and management, Forestry,  Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Agricultural economics, Natural Resource Management, Soil conservation management, Environmental Protection, Environment and Development, Biodiversity conservation, Disaster and risk management, Management, Development Economics with 10/8 years related work experience, out of which 4 years in a senior position(s)

Preferred

• Female applicants
• Experience working  in NGO sector has an advantage
• Residing in the Amhara region