Position Summary: The Program Officer, Southern Africa will report to Senior Program Manager (SPM) and work collaboratively with the Program Delivery team, other Pact departments, and Country Directors and staff to ensure necessary project planning, development and management activities function smoothly and efficiently.
Specific Duties
Backstopping (75%) The PM provides guidance and support to Southern Africa country offices by: • Maintaining full knowledge of the country office / project issues, including the operational environment, potential risks • Assisting country office staff in the development of project reports, work plans, PMPs and other project contractual obligations, and ensuring timely submission and quality of content; • Helping the Country Director and in-country team assess and mitigate risks (primarily financial) associated with working in the country and in implementing country projects; • Tracking monthly financial reports and working with country offices to prevent cost overruns and under-runs on projected expenditures in the absence of justifiable variances; • In collaboration with the country office, establishing a country office budget; identify gaps in funding and plan for resource mobilization to address these gaps to ensure country office sustainability; • Liaising with other departments to respond to country and project crises. • Training country office staff on Pact operations and tools, as needed • Participating in project startup and assist in new country sub-office startup processes; • Coordinating new staff orientation at Pact DC office for staff traveling to country offices; • Providing technical support to country office and projects, as applicable • Coordinating monthly project calls and ensuring timely follow up on action items; • Coordinating preparation of project related consultant agreements and tracking payments; • Participating in the recruitment of operational and management staff in country as required; • Supporting the country office’s implementation of a timely and orderly project closeout;
• Ensuring project intellectual capital is properly captured, filed and disseminated; • Traveling to country office and its field sites to provide project support, as needed
New Business Development (5%) • Participate in the development of thematic country engagement strategies in collaboration with country offices, Opportunity Development, and Program Advancement • Track business development opportunities and contribute to proposal development efforts in cooperation with Opportunity Development
Networking/External Relations (10%) • Develop & strengthen relationships with key networks based in U.S. • Proactively coordinate with relevant donor and stakeholder agencies with offices in the U.S. • Attend and represent the country offices and projects in public events and meetings; • Advocate on behalf of the country offices with relevant external stakeholders as needs arise
Other (10%) The PO also contributes to the PD team by: • Participating in Program Delivery and SASS team-wide meetings and initiatives • Cooperating and promoting collaboration with the Program Advancement team; • Contributing to the Program Delivery Balanced Scorecard indicator targets and in tracking these accomplishments; • Promoting integration and cross fertilization of ideas and information across countries, projects, and regions • Participating in initiatives within Pact related to Program Delivery functions (standards, policies, management tools, training and similar); • Performing other related tasks as needed.
Qualifications: • Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with Pact staff in overseas offices, in donor organizations and in peer organizations • Knowledge and understanding of institutional donors’ (US govt., European governments, etc.)policies, procedures or regulations for program design & implementation • Experience working on a USAID funded development project; PEPFAR experience a plus.
• Strong computer skills: proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and database skills. • Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to make a presentation • Strong writing and analytical skills • Ability to problem-solve difficult issues • Ability to multitask with ease, adapting to frequently changing priorities • Good negotiating and conflict resolution skills • Strong understanding of budgets • Ability and willingness to be flexible, to visit and work in a less than perfect environment, both politically and socially • Ability to travel at short notice, and up to 25 % of time
Education and Experience Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree, or relevant equivalent experience, plus a minimum 6 years related experience in international development, project management, or related studies. Master’s degree is preferred. • Minimum 1 year experience working in Southern Africa in development programs. • 1-2 years of Project Management experience highly desirable • English Fluency required; Portuguese fluency a plus • Experience working in networking and advocacy, particularly on issues related to Southern Africa
Disclaimer: This job description summarizes the responsibilities assigned to the position; however it does not contain an all-inclusive list of responsibilities. Periodically, employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. Employment at Pact is a voluntary “at will” relationship.
To apply for this position, please fill out the online application at: https://www5.ultirecruit.com/PAC1005/JobBoard/NewCandidateExt.aspx?__Job...
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