INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY – AREA (PROGRAMME) MANAGER – ZOA

Development and Project Management, Social Sciences and Community

ZOA

Almost four decades ago, ZOA was initiated as a true ‘civil society’ initiative. In 1973, a group of Christian students took a stand and organised support for refugees in Indo-China.[1] The 1970s were a time when large groups of people in Dutch society became involved in voicing political protest but the founders of the organisation took their voice one step further and emphasized the importance of responding in concrete and tangible ways. Their initiative became the starting point for the current organisation known as ZOA, and their original motivation remains today. ZOA has always emphasised the need to translate compassion and concern about the lives and circumstances of the displaced into concrete action.
 
Over the years, ZOA has grown from a small organisation, with limited capacity for practical support in only a few countries, to a professional organisation that runs high quality, integrated programmes for people affected by conflict or disaster in 10 to 15 African and Asian countries. In addition to receiving private support and funding from the Netherlands, ZOA has a variety of institutional donors and partners around the world. What has remained throughout its development is ZOA’s commitment and determination to contribute to bringing real, tangible, and sustainable change to the lives of people affected by conflict and disaster. Thus, the organisation serves as a means by which thousands of people in Dutch society can contribute to bringing hope to people in despair in a way that is compliant with contemporary professional standards for relief and development. As such, ZOA has remained a ‘civil society’ organisation with strong roots in Dutch society, particularly among Christians. We maintain a strong connection with our constituency through networks of schools, churches, businesses, private donors, and volunteers. At the same time, ZOA has developed into a reliable and effective partner to a variety of institutional actors in the Netherlands, Europe, and beyond.
 
What has also remained is the Christian inspiration. At ZOA, we are motivated by the biblical message of reconciliation and restoration for a broken world. We believe that Christian organisations like ZOA have a specific responsibility to contribute to bringing hope for the benefit of all people, particularly those in vulnerable positions. The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to pursue and promote justice and to support people in situations of suffering and injustice, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
 ZOA’s vision
“In a world full of conflict, injustice, poverty, and disaster, we want to contribute to signs of hope and restoration. We see this being revealed where people experience peace, justice, and mutual trust again, and where they regain personal dignity and confidence. ZOA acts and contributes with the biblical perspective of God’s Kingdom, which will bring reconciliation and restoration to its full extent. Meanwhile, God calls us to do justice and be faithful to people that need our support.”
ZOA Mission
 “ZOA supports people who suffer because of armed conflict or natural disasters, in helping them to rebuild their livelihoods. We call on our constituency and partners, in the North and in the South, to take responsibility and get involved. We provide maximum added value to those we support and those who support us.”

We are here for our neighbors in need, who are suffering in this broken world.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.                                

ZOA is looking for a

Area (Programme) Manager

ZOA’s programme in Ethiopia

ZOA works in several regions in Ethiopia: Gambella Regional State (field office in  Gambella Town), Somali Regional State (field office in Dolo Ado and Melkadida refugee camp), Tigray Regional State (field office in Shire and Mekelle), Oromia Regional State (field office in Harar), Amhara and Addis Ababa. In Ethiopia, ZOA works with Internally Displaced People (IDPs), host populations, persons with disabilities, returnees, and a large population of refugees who fled a combination of violence and drought in Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea. 

What we offer

ZOA offers a challenging position with a lot of responsibilities. We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector (including, but not limited to: medical, accident and life insurances, provident fund, training options). 

Your challenge 

The Area Manager is responsible for the leadership and the integral management of the programmes and activities of ZOA in a specific Project Area within the framework of ZOA’s Strategic Plan, Business Plan, and agreed Country Annual Plan.

The Area Manager is responsible for overall management, compliance and strategic direction of ZOA’s response in Gambella.  He/she will build the Gambella portfolio by ensuring high quality implementation of all projects and support new business development.  The Area Manager will represent ZOA externally and build positive relationships with local government, UN, INGOs and key stakeholders.  The area management will  ensure fair, accountable and transparent management of programme, finance and human resources, and promote a learning environment for staff and the organization.

• Your main tasks and responsibilities

  • Overall leadership and integral management responsibility of the ZOA organization in Gambella Regional State.

  ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  
  

  Leadership and management

  • Responsible for all ZOA activities within programme area;
  • Spiritual oversight and Christian leadership of the ZOA team in the programme area;
  • Participate in country wide programme and knowledge development;
  • Member of Country Management Team;
  • Strategic partnership engagement at programme level;
  • Gender, conflict and environmentally sensitive approach to team management and project activities under her/his responsibility. 

  Programme Management

  • Development of the Programme plan for the respective programme area, with annual review of needs for changes, based on ongoing context analysis and results of annual programme review;
  • Annual planning for the programme area, with the corresponding annual programme area budget, as an input to the Country Strategic Annual Plan (CSAP);
  • Planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities that were approved by donors with the corresponding project budget planning;
  • Project Cycle management, including needs assessments, formulation of concept notes and proposals and budget;
  • Reporting – monthly and quarterly activity and financial reporting, including  realization of activities versus budget utilisation;
  • Providing input to narrative and financial donor reporting;
  • Annual review of progress towards programme objectives and outcomes;
  • Initiating and maintaining effective working relations with relevant stakeholders at programme area level.

   HR / Admin / Finance

  • Budget owner for projects implemented in programme area;
  • Approval of expenditures and related cost allocations, on the basis of approved project and programme organisation budgets;
  • Human Resource Management (at individual- and team level) for ZOA staff stationed in the Gambella Regional Office;
  • Supervision and periodical evaluation of the performance of the members of ZOA team in Gambella according to the line management structure;
  • Implementation and monitoring of financial, personnel and security policies and procedures;
  • In collaboration with the Director of Operations and Finance Team, prepare and process the allocation of indirect costs to project budgets.

  Representation of ZOA

  • Play a key role in representing ZOA in consortia in formal and informal relationships with partners, donor, government authorities and other stakeholders, as appropriate;
  • Support the design of cross consortium advocacy initiatives and participate in advocacy activities that target decision-makers in-country related to project advocacy objectives.
  • Ensure all necessary information concerning ZOA’s programme in Gambella is available on a timely basis to ZOA Senior Management;
  • Work closely with partner organisations to monitor and support delivery, reporting and monitoring and evaluation;
  • Provide updates and information to consortia partners as required to ensure donor compliance;
  • Ensure that all project, programmatic and financial documentation is timely, accurate, high quality and well presented;
  • Represent ZOA in consortia delivering projects in Gambella to foster collaboration and learning;
  • Work with partners to make sure that emerging issues can be systematically identified, analyzed and responded to from field and technical committee meetings and discussed together to achieve solutions in a timely manner;
  • Play a key role in driving joint advocacy initiatives and setting strategic direction;

   Programme Quality:

  • Ensure management staff are informed of programme progress and best practices to feed into advocacy and programme design;
  • Ensure that efficient systems are in place to support coordinated consortium management and implementation including grant management and project monitoring and evaluation;
  • Work with the finance team to ensure effective financial processes and controls are in place, and that issues are identified and followed up with partners in a timely way, including ensuring financial reports (in collaboration with the Grant Finance Coordinator) and other key deliverables are completed;
  • Maintain a close working relationship with technical teams across partners at field office and to support coherence in approaches, raising and follow up on key issues, strategy development, and integration across partners and sectors;
  • Coordination and production of key reports and other project deliverables;
  • Organize and participate in frequent field visits with partners, donors, head office and other organizations.

  Monitoring, Evaluation and Information Management:

  • Ensure the effective monitoring, evaluation and documentation of the programme, and that any learning is built into the design of future programmatic work;
  • Work closely with ZOA’s MEAL and partner organizations M&E staff.

  Security:

  • Ensures the design and maintenance of an effective security management system at program level, in compliance with ZOA’s over-all security policy and procedures, and the monitoring of compliance to that system by staff and other relevant persons for whom the PGM holds security responsibility.

  Authority:

  • The Programme Manager is authorized and accountable within the frame work and limits as defined in:
  • ‘The Declaration of Authorization’ signed by the Country Director;
  • The ZOA Country Management Charter;
  • The agreed Annual Country Plan;
  • The programme budget approved by the Country Director;
  • The project plans as approved by the donors;
  • The country quality management system as approved by the Country Director.

  In the performance and as a member of the Country Management Team, the PGM balances the interests of Programme area, the country organization as a whole and of all stakeholders involved.

  The Programme manager is accountable to the Country Director of the programme country.

   Contacts

  External contacts:

  •  Government on a national and local level;
  • (I)NGOs, CBOs and other civil society groups including churches;
  • International organizations operating in the programme area;
  • Donors.

  Internal contacts:

  
  

  • Gambella Programme office team
  • Members of country management team

  Your Total Rewards package at ZOA

  
  

  1.    Compensation

  
  

  Competitive salaries and financial security – we know how important these are to you and your family.

  ·      Salaries that match the local market and we pay you in EUR.

  ·       Annual salary review based on the cost of living in your location/Ethiopia.

  ·       Annual Salary increase based on annual performance review

  2.     Allowances

  
  

  • Transportation allowance:  ETB 1,500 for our programme field office staff, & ETB 2,000 for our country office staff per month.
  • Airtime Allowance: We provide data and airtime to enable you to conduct your work outside of the office.
  • we provide a closed user group so you can speak to your colleagues at no cost.
  • Food Allowance: we provide lunch daily at our offices, ZOA pays 600 ETB per month and staff contribute 400 ETB per month.
  • Severance payment: one month’s salary for an extra service year.
  • Hardship Allowance: If you are working in identified places as a remote and hazardous by the government, you will be entitled 20-40% additional allowances of their basic salary. Therefore, we provide 40% hardship allowance to ZOA employees working in Gambella, Dollo Ado and Shire field offices.
  • Transfer Allowance: We provide transfer allowance of 10,000 ETB If, in case of you permanently shift or transfer to a new programme area.

  3.     Paid Leave

  We recognize you have priorities outside of work.

  Our flexible paid time off package gives you the flexibility you need.

  • Annual Leave: 20 days of annual leave in addition to public holidays, and you are also granted one extra day for each extra full year.
  • Enhanced Maternity Leave provision, 4 months
  • Paternity Leave 5 working days.
  • Rest and Recuperation (R&R): We provide you 5 working days for every consecutive 12 weeks of work R&R leave to unaccompanied staff who work away from their permanent place of residence to spend time with their family. Therefore, ZOA provides R&R leave for its employees who work in the program offices in Somali, Gambela, and Tigray regions.

  4.    Insurance

  Provident Fund  + Pension: : 32% (22% from ZOA and 10% from You.

  Life insurance  

  Medical Insurance: We also covers your dependents, and your medical expenditures are covered by ZOA up to 100% of each invoice, up to a defined maximum refunded amount of Br 200,000 ETB  per annum.

  5.    Wellness

  We care about your health and wellbeing. We offer a comprehensive health package and initiatives to support your wellbeing.

  • Covid-19:  free vaccination and PCR test
  • We have established a social committee in every region.
  • Learning & Development

  • Professional development programme and support with funding for a relevant qualification.
  • Study/exam leaves
  • Training and coaching   module

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

This position demands a dynamic individual, with very strong interpersonal and influencing skills, and with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.

• Degree or master’s degree in social sciences, humanitarian assistance/international development or related field;
• 5 years of professional experience in development with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a coordination or leadership role in the implementation of projects;
• Substantial experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and of managing big grants;
• Working knowledge and experience of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS);
• Experience of managing Complaints Feedback and Response Mechanisms (CFRM);
• Strong experience in managing consortium programmes and understanding of institutional donor compliance;
• Demonstrable experience in advocacy initiatives including influencing key stakeholders at high levels including senior management, donors, Government Authorities;
• Strong experience managing multiple tasks and ability to be proactive and demonstrate leadership;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to lead, build and work effectively in team situations;
• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation of complex projects;
• Experience in organizational representation, coordination and liaison;
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting on complex projects to international donors;
• Experience in implementing projects within partner networks or consortia;
• Willingness and ability to travel within Ethiopia;
• Cultural sensitivity and proven experience in working in Ethiopia with international NGOs strongly desired;
• Excellent conceptual, planning, organizational, and leadership skills;
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving capacities;
• Fluency in English and Amharic (written and spoken);
• Strong computer literacy;
• Ability to manage stress, multi-task and take decisions.

 VALUES:

 Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results in line with ZOA core values;
• Good knowledge of CHS and capacitate partners to work in adherence to CHS;
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved;
• Creates a managerial environment in-country to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding.

 Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self;
• Widely shares personal vision for ZOA, engages and motivates others;
• Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

 Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners;
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength;
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions;
• Willing to take calculated risks.

 Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency;
• Always acts in the best interests of children.

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