Area Manager AIM Program at BRAC: (Deadline 21 May 2023)

Area Manager AIM Program at BRAC: (Deadline 21 May 2023)

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Introduction

BRAC International is a leading nonprofit organization with a mission to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Our approach is grounded in the conviction that people living in vulnerable situations can be agents of change if they are empowered with the tools, skills, and hope they need to change their lives. We design proven, scalable solutions that equip people with the support and confidence they need to achieve their potential. BRAC’s institutional expertise on successfully implemented programmes is applied across 10 countries, touching the lives of over 130 million people, where our models are adapted according to the country’s context.

In 2022, the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with BRAC International (BI) announcing an initiative that will create positive and measurable impact for 1.2 million adolescent girls and young women and 9.5 million people across seven countries in East and West Africa, including Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.

There is mounting urgency to support adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) living in poverty, which has been further amplified by the global pandemic. Through this partnership, scalable economic development approaches will be delivered in communities to foster the agency and voice of AGYW. They will have the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations, achieve sustainable livelihoods, and engage in advocacy issues.

BRAC International will implement an integrated and holistic model to address the various life cycles of a young woman living in poverty, ensuring she is able to transition safely from adolescence to adulthood. She will be equipped with the appropriate skills, tools, and access to finance to effectively exercise her agency and build a fulfilling and productive livelihood.

In preparation for the launch of the program, BRAC International is seeking applications from competent, dynamic and self-motivated individuals to fill the following position in Rwanda 

Position:     Area Manager AIM Program

Job Location: BRAC Rwanda Country Office

Salary: Negotiable

Contract nature: Two years renewable depending on the performance  

Job Summary

The Area Manager is responsible for the management of the Field Offices (Huye and Nyanza) and the representation of BRAC International Rwanda. The post holder will ensure effective management of programs, resources, staff, and support functions in the field sites and will firmly institute finance, human resources and operations systems in line with organization performance expectations. The Area Manager will provide oversight in implementing multi-sectoral youth-focused programs according to prevailing needs, identify new opportunities for collaboration with like-minded actors, and will ensure field-level participation in program and project design. He/she will also support the capacity development of staff in the field offices. He/she will ensure the strengthening of the field-level operational accountability by ensuring that proper risk mitigation measures and internal 

Key Duties/Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Program Development, Implementation and Delivery

• Ensure that management support is provided to field programme implementations within the field office and the management of the different offices, implementation of quality programs as well as operations core business processes.
• In close coordination with Program Manager and MEAL Manager ensure that the field operations are compliant and operational as per the SOPS of BI and AIM project.
• Ensure that area teams undertake monthly sessions to monitor expenditure against budget (Budget Variance Analysis – BVA) and that all programmes progress in accordance with grant agreements and are completed within time and on budget with an emphasis on cost effectiveness, innovation and high-quality programming to serve the most vulnerable children, adolescents, youth and women.
• Ensure that Area teams undertake biweekly/monthly management meetings to update each other on current key priorities and achievements, present any issues that would require attention and support from country office and come up with solutions to address the issues.
• Have budget holding responsibilities for programs/projects implemented within the Area Office as appropriate, in line with authorized decision-making threshold guidance.
• Ensure programs are implemented in ways responsive to target project participants in line with BRAC International principles, values and strategic plan and follow BRAC International compliance procedures. This includes working with local government authorities/ administrations and national/ international NGO-partners to strengthen national capacity.
• Ensure timely preparation of high-quality progress reports, program reports, and donor reports.

• Ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to listen to, act upon and address children’s and communities’ concerns/recommendations through active participation by children and communities in project design, monitoring and evaluations
• Ensure that staff capacity in quality project management is improved and strengthened through training, coaching and mentoring.
• Support implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement trucking for all essential KPIs for the project and country portfolio at large.

People Management and Development

• Work closely with the HR Manager to ensure that all HR policies and guidelines for staff are in place, are understood by all staff and are adhered to. Further, support in the recruitment and induction of new staff.
• Enhance staff performance through mutually agreed performance management plans, clarity of individual and collective roles and responsibilities; ensure a robust process of performance monitoring, learning & development initiatives and timely management actions.
• Ensure all staff complete their performance management evaluations, and monthly timesheet submissions.
• Present staff concerns that cannot be dealt with locally, in a timely manner to the PM, CD and HR Manager.
• Promote an inspiring and motivating working environment through teamwork, delegation and the team building initiatives.

Financial, Budget and Grant Management

• Serve as overall budget holder for all programming in the area office; propose, manage and support budget management for AIM project as appropriate.
• Ensure that programme budgets are managed through rigorous budget and finance monitoring practices with participation of all key functions involved in projects.
• Oversee the general application and observance of financial procedures and guidelines set out in BRAC International financial manual and donor requirements
• Ensure that budgets are spent and charged to their respective budget as per the charter of accounts by diligently reviewing the financial reports at least every month and bringing timely attention of the Program Manager and Finance Manager any major budget concerns.
• Efficiently and successfully manage the grant cycle by putting in place robust mechanisms to start, implement and close grants in line with GOR, donor as well as BI policies
• Support quarterly budget phasing for the area office and ensure accurate budget implementation in line with budget and monthly forecast.
• Ensure that AIM Project is managed as per BRAC International and donor’s requirements including the quality and timely submission of reports

Partnership management, Development and Representation

• With the support from Program Manager, establish a quality partnership management environment through mutual respect and trust, robust partnership assessments, capacity building, project monitoring, sharing and networking by drawing support from technical resources from within the country programme.
• Support the SMT to establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with host government authorities, donors, partner agencies including major institutional donors, UN Agencies and local and international NGOs, state authority, community leaders. Ensure representation on UN, donors, INGO, NNGOs field-based coordination and report back to the National Office/ Country Office.
• Ensure that partners and BI staff understand and implement policies and procedures including child safeguarding, procurement, fraud and whistle blowing.
• Ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to listen to, act upon and address children’s and communities’ concerns/recommendations through active participation by children and communities in project design, monitoring and evaluations
• Ensure that partners understand and implement BI policies and procedures including child safeguarding, procurement, fraud and whistle blowing.
• Support the Program Manager to ensure strong and vibrant local Civil Society Organisations are developed through our support in the areas we are implementing programmes.
• Ensure appropriate representation in all relevant meetings: clusters, working groups, NGO Consortium etc

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the programme’s goals on safeguarding implementation
• Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment
• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place and encourage others to do the same 

Education and Experience: 

• Minimum of 7 years management experience in an International NGO environment, in a range of cultures including significant field operations experience, implementing development projects.
• Robust experience of program cycle management, and with experience of working within a complex and matrix organization structure
• In-depth understanding of at least two of the sectoral programs and a working knowledge of the program priorities of BRAC International.
• Good understanding of international humanitarian/ development systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices in international management.
• Substantial and proven experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and securing and managing grants from major institutional donor
• Solid project management skills related to organizational development projects and international, cross- functional teams with a proven history of delivering result
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategical
• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues particularly in relation to vulnerable populations that include children, youth and women.
• Previous experience of managing and developing a team and the ability to lead, motivate and develop other
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skill
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Ability and willingness to adapt to work practices and hours, and work with teams in the event of major emergencies

Commitment to and understanding of BRAC International aims, values and principles including rights- based approaches.

If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please follow the application instructions accordingly:

Candidates need to send a signed Cover letter in PDF format indicating the title of the position applied for, an updated CV mentioning educational grades, years of experience, and notarized copies of academic qualifications. All those documents should be sent through email: recruitment.rwanda@brac.net, Application deadline is 21^st May 2023 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.