Program Manager – TRAIL

Role Purpose:

The Program Manager plays a pivotal role in the effective delivery of the TRAIL III Project and its technical assistance to the Rural Connectivity for Improved Food Security Programme (RCFSP). Reporting to the TRAIL Program Director, the Program Manager leads the operational, programmatic, administrative, and financial execution of the projects, ensuring alignment with Helvetas’ principles, donor expectations, and national development priorities.

The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Annual Plan of Operation (APO), ensuring timely reporting and adaptive management in alignment with project cycle management principles, gender transformation, and market systems development. The role carries overall responsibility for the effective execution of the project, driving measurable progress toward its

goals, objectives, outcomes, and outputs. The Program Manager also assumes full accountability for programmatic performance, human resource management within the project team, and partnership coordination.

The Program Manager serves as the key liaison for coordination with government entities at regional levels, academic institutions, private sector actors, and other stakeholders. In particular, the role involves close collaboration with the regional governments and bureaus, universities and TVETs, and private construction and design firms to foster an enabling environment for rural transport connectivity and transformative access to essential services.

The position holder ensures effective stakeholder engagement to promote local ownership and sustainability, technical and methodological support to stakeholders and partners, continuous monitoring, learning, and adaptive reporting to drive evidence-based decision-making, and integration of RCFSP objectives into TRAIL implementation, ensuring synergy and coherence across both initiatives.

Main Responsibilities of the Program Manager – TRAIL:

Project Leadership and Management

• Lead the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in alignment with the Annual Plan of Operation (APO), Helvetas’ principles, and project cycle management standards.
• Prepare and oversee the consolidated APO, ensuring timely implementation, adaptive management, and alignment with TRAIL and RCFSP objectives.
• Supervise, guide, coach, and support project staff to ensure effective and efficient project delivery.
• Build the technical and managerial capacity of the project team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work culture.
• Assume responsibility for all HR-related matters of the project team, including recruitment, work planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Ensure the project is implemented in accordance with the approved Program Document and donor requirements.
• Keep the program team informed of project progress, challenges, and strategic developments.
• Provide coordination and technical support to the project team and relevant government departments.
• Represent Helvetas Ethiopia in the operational implementation of the TRAIL and RCFSP projects.

Coordination and Technical Assistance to Partners

• Strengthen partnerships with key government entities at regional levels in collaboration with the project managers, including regional bureaus, universities, and TVETs.
• Ensure effective collaboration among project partners (governmental and non-governmental), aligned with the APO and strategic goals.
• Provide technical and methodological support to partners in designated fields, promoting local ownership and sustainability.
• Facilitate coordination and joint planning among stakeholders to enhance rural connectivity and access to essential services.

Budget and Financial Oversight

• Prepare and manage the annual project budget in compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Monitor monthly budget utilization rates and recommend timely adjustments to ensure financial efficiency.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee contracting and partnership agreements, ensuring transparency and compliance.

Monitoring, Learning, and Knowledge Management

• Ensure robust monitoring, learning, reporting, and documentation systems are in place and function effectively.
• Document lessons learned and best practices, contributing to Helvetas’ thematic and policy work.
• Ensure project information is regularly updated and disseminated internally and externally.

Lead the Rural Access and WASH Learning and Innovation working area, promoting evidence-based learning and adaptive programming.

• A minimum of master’s degree in development studies or related field of study.
• At least 10 years’ relevant experience in development work in an NGO setting, at least 6 years of which is at a Program manager level.
• Commitment to gender transformation and working experience in rural road sector.
• Prior experience as a project/program manager or leading large project teams with diverse geographic coverage is a necessary requirement.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Proficiency in Oromiffa will be considered an asset.
• Flexible, capable of working independently, high integrity, and hard-working.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong leadership capabilities, demonstrated through the ability to inspire, empower, and guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven technical and managerial competence, with sound judgment and the ability to work collaboratively at all organizational levels.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong coordination and facilitation skills, especially in working with government institutions, academia, and private sector partners.
• Experience in project cycle management, gender-responsive programming, and market systems development is highly desirable.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to evolving program needs.