Job context

Hivos is seeking an experienced Program Manager (PM) to oversee the implementation of programs and ensure the scalability and continuity of the portfolio beyond its current available funding. The PM will directly manage between 4-5 staff in addition to coordinating and receiving support from 2-3 staff members who report to the heads of other departments.

With its relatively young population, in addition to the changes in the job market occurring due to the green transformation process in North Africa, more and more young people each year need to find a sustainable living. As a response to this, Hivos MENA has developed and currently manages a portfolio of programs that aims to contribute to the creation of more economic opportunities for more than 19,000 young women and men between the ages of 15 and 35 years in North Africa within the Green Economy, with ambitions to expand to the Middle East in future.

Our vision is to empower young men and women to find a decent job in the Green Economy which Hivos defines as future proof. Such economies are anticipated to continue growing and will require young people to have a new skill set that is not tackled within the traditional education systems. In order to ensure that economic inclusion of youth is included in this transformation process in North Africa and that there is an adequate value chain supporting their growth, Hivos also aims to stimulate the formation of innovation clusters that are feeding these economies with viable business solutions and is inclusive of youth.

To this end, Hivos MENA’s Climate Justice (CJ) Programs portfolio aim to create more than 19,000 decent jobs for youth in the green economy. We specifically look to identify and support Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) that can act as catalysts for green value chain micro clusters. By rapidly scaling such ‘champion’ SGBs, our programs  also scale the clusters of micro-suppliers & distributors, and micro-business clients around the SGB which will lead to the creation of new jobs, improve conditions of existing ones and connect unemployed youth with job opportunities in the green sector.

To learn more about Hivos’ direction in Climate Justice, reference is made to Hivos’ Strategic Compass 2021-2024 document.

Responsibilities

Program Design and Business Development (40%):

Constantly seeking opportunities to scale the CJ portfolio programs under Hivos MENA and ensuring continuity of donor funded programs beyond current funds.

Responsibilities under this role would include:

• Setting Portfolio Strategy: Set the annual strategic direction of the portfolio in terms of design and fundraising and ensure the strategic alignment of the portfolio and Hivos’ Global Strategic Compass.
• External positioning:  Act as the Hivos ambassador of the portfolio; promote Hivos MENA’s CJ agenda in professional forums by sharing and profiling practice-based results, experiences and proposes and delivers sustainable solutions.
• Network Building: Establish and maintain good relationships with stakeholders regionally and globally when relevant including current and potential donors, current and potential future partners and other strategically relevant organizations (civil society, government, private sector, development partners and media).
• Proposal Development: Lead the proposal development process (in coordination with the Business Development Unit) for the extension of existing programs or the development of new programs under the CJ portfolio.
• Monitoring Regional Eco-System: Keep track of relevant programs, and donors contributing to the green transition efforts in the region, and capitalizing on potential synergies when relevant.

Program Management (50%):

Manage program teams, ensure programs are delivering on their KPIs and adhering to their budgets as per agreements with our donors.

• Delivery of program results:  Oversees the implementation and coherence of the programs under the Climate Justice Portfolio; secures stakeholder/donor satisfaction through implementation according to contracts in terms of results, budget and competencies.
• Team Management & Cohesion: Leads, motivates, & supports team to deliver on their targets and responsibilities by fostering a conducive learning environment. This includes having a good understanding of areas where team members need to build their capacity and ensure resources are dedicated to this, as part of career and personal development.  Related to this is to conduct timely performance appraisals.
• Partners Management: Oversees and later on approves the Senior Program Officers’ (SPOs) identification and selection of local implementing partners and the activities they will implement; ensuring in the process (1) strategic relevance of interventions, (2) Budget adherence to donor’s requirements and (3) the local ownership is vested in the proposed intervention as part of Hivos’ exit strategy.
• Budget Management: The PM is the budget holder of all portfolio programs. Accordingly, he/she leads the budget distribution decision process in collaboration with the finance and program colleagues.
• Donor and Internal Reporting: The PM is responsible for the final submission of all internal and external reports (Technical and Financial). This occurs with direct support from finance and program colleagues.

Representation (10%):

With support from RD, the PM involved in set-up and expansion to the MENA region, and represents Hivos with donors government and other non-program entities as needed.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, sustainable development, environmental studies, climate governance or another relevant field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant and demonstrable experience in program management in the field of entrepreneurship/private sector development, with experience in green sector required.
• Substantial experience in at least two of the focus countries, one of which must be Egypt.
• Demonstrable experience working in private sector development in north Africa.
• At least 2 years leading consortia with national and regional partners and networks.
• Substantial years of experience working in an NGO context, with international NGO experience in particular a strong advantage.
• Work experience or affinity with roles of business accelerators, incubators or similar BDSOs required
• Substantial experience and proven track record in managing project implementation and working in teams, including managing both private sector and NGO partners (subgrantees).
• Substantial experience and demonstrable experience with managing project budgets, including supporting finance in monitoring partner budgets.
• Experience in people management, including managing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to play a representative role with key stakeholders and oversee key operations functions.
• Strong knowledge of donor and program compliance, and ability to enforce best practices.
• Demonstrable experience and proven track record to reach out to national and international governments, other stakeholders and partners.
• Possess regional networks relevant to the theme and geographical scope.
• Keen understanding of country political and social dynamics in MENA in the programs’ focus countries; analytical and conceptual skills, and ability to translate these into relevant and timely actions
• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, orientation, ethnicity or gender, with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.
• Excellent verbal, writing and communication skills in English and Arabic, with French as a strong advantage. Able to deliver well written reports in English is essential.
• Excellent networking, relationship building and negotiation skills;
• Other job & behavioral skills: strategic, critical & analytical thinker, collaborative, positive attitude, team player, proactiveness, multi-tasking, flexibility; able to meet strict deadlines; able to handle competing priorities and heavy workload; trustworthy and reliable; and work requires minimal review.
• Willingness and able to travel to focus countries with ease and as required.

What we offer

We offer a stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with very dedicated staff. Employment is offered for the period of one year with possible extension for a longer period. Depending on your experience and skills, your salary will be in accordance with the salary scale applicable to the office where you will be based.

How to apply

Please apply 10 December 2024 by clicking on the ‘Apply here’ button below. You must submit both a letter of motivation/cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and resume/CV in English.
APPLY HERE

Candidates are highly encouraged to provide a clear track record in their CV and description in cover letter that matches the requirements of the position elaborated above.

Hivos reserves the right to close the position before the application deadline if a suitable candidate is identified. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. 

*The position is based in Egypt or Tunisia, with regular travel expected.