Regional Hub Manager (2 Positions) -Dire Dawa and Dessie

Position Location: Dire Dawa and Dessie

Number Required: One for Dire Dawa and One for Dessie Kombolcha

Job Type: Managerial

Deadline: August 19, 2023

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Description:

The USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement Activity is a four-year activity with the overall goal to strengthen Ethiopia’s civic fabric in support of more inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. The project aims to strengthen civic and community-based actors’ ability to engage in policy analysis, advocacy, dialogue, and collective action for peaceful, democratic change; and foster multi-stakeholder civic partnerships in support of inclusive dialogue, respect for human rights, and advancing more effective, citizen-responsive, and accountable governance.

Position Summary:

The Regional Hub Manager is responsible for overseeing the technical and administrative aspects of the Ethiopian Civic Engagement Activity within the assigned region/area.   S/he is required to represent the program and facilitate strong, dynamic, and transparent relationship building with local civic and other relevant actors and maximize the impact of their engagement with the program. The hub manager will supervise technical and operational staff in the hub s/he assigned.

Reporting: This position reports to the Technical Program Director and will have a dotted reporting line to the Deputy Chief of Party.

Program management

• Responsible for overseeing the execution of project activities within the hub in a timely and cost-effective manner and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the Creative agreement with the Client/USAID
• Formulate, organize, and monitor inter-connected teams.
• Coordinate cross-program activities.
• Contribute to the development of ECE ‘s annual work plans, work plan budget forecasts and other program management tools
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for the regional hub.
• In consultation with the MEL team, participate in the development and maintenance of a monitoring and evaluation system to evaluate progress and impact, based on the agreed goals.
• Serve as a focal point for the consultants hired by ECE to conduct research and assessment activities in facilitating data gathering and organizing meetings with different stakeholders.
• Select respondents for KII, FGD, and others for research and assessment activities and facilitate communication.

Grant management

• In collaboration with the Grants team, lead the development of sound selection criteria and guidelines for identifying and selecting partners for funding and partnership.
• In collaboration with the Grants team, lead the technical pre-award survey and participate in the pre-award activities in his/her area of intervention.
• Conduct sub-grantee/sub-partner monitoring activities within the regional hub

Partnership and engagement

• Establish effective working relationships with regional government, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the day-to-day relationship management of key stakeholders at the regional hub by providing accurate and timely program management and contract-related data.
• Contribute to the effective management of relationships with sub-contracting partners, managing the sub-contracts, ensuring partners are contributing inputs in line with agreements and that ECE’s best interests are protected.
• Establish strong networks and relationships with regional partners, government representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure good levels of program support and understanding as well as facilitate good levels of access to stakeholders by senior program staff and consultants.
• Establish communication systems with partners to ensure an enabling environment for partnership.

Human resource management

• Provide regular support and supervision to staff under his/her hub, including leading and evaluating the performance of program officers and administrative support staff.
• Liaise with ECE HR Manager on all HR matters relating to the regional hub staff
• Ensure that the regional hub staff adheres to Creative and donor policies, procedures, and guidelines

Finance, Procurement, and Logistics Management

• Oversee all financial and procurement transactions within the assigned hub to ensure that they are conducted in line with Creative and donor policies, procedures, and guidelines
• In collaboration with the ECE Security Manager, design and implement proper local safety and security procedures to ensure safety of the regional hub staff and project properties
• Submit monthly and quarterly cash forecasts for the regional hub to the main project office and monitor actual spending against the forecast
• Develop activity plan and budget for the regional hub and monitor progress against the activity plan and budget
• Ensure that vehicles and other assets assigned to the regional hub are properly managed and utilized in the implementation of project activities

Communications

• Collaborate with ECE Communication and outreach manager to gather important information for social media and for newsletter at their respective hubs.
•  Support the development and plan of communication activities consistent with the ECE communication strategy in the Hub and closely work with the local media.
• Document successes stories, challenges, and lessons learned in her/ his hub and share them with Communication and Outreach manager through regular program reports
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

• Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration or related field.
• Minimum of six years of professional experience with at least 4 years overseeing operations of a field office.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Ethiopia.
• Ability to understand and analyze national, regional, and local policies, creativity, and analytical capacity to design activities relevant to critical issues affecting the regions included in the regional hub.
• Experience with USAID or other donor-funded projects desired.
• Good problem-solving, stress management, and time management skills.
• Demonstrable experience managing or implementing projects involving high-level interactions with key local government actors.
• Experience managing diverse staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Amharic is required. Knowledge of other local languages is advantageous [add language of area]
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
• Ability to work under pressure and effectively manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to communicate clearly, politely, and effectively.