Deputy Head of Base – Programs

Action Against Hunger is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-political, non-denominational and non-profit making organisation working in the Palestinian Territory since 2002.

Action Against Hunger is recruiting for the Gaza strip a

Deputy Head of Base – Programs

For 6 months with possibility of extension

General Objective:

Ensure the overall implementation of the projects within the fields of implementation, coordinating the activities and building the capacity of Program Managers (PMs) to identify and implement high quality program activities in an accountable manner, and in conformity with ACF/donor requirements and base/area/mission strategy.

Key activities in your role will include

• Objective 1: Contribute to identify sectoral needs, to design program strategy and operational development
  • Coordinate and support PMs and field teams to identify humanitarian sectoral needs in the area of intervention, including the submission of reports reflecting such matters, in coordination with MEAL department for development of needs assessment methodology and tools.
  • Collaborate with Head of Base, promote and facilitate the inputs by PMs to elaborate and design the program strategy at base level including appropriate response to people’s needs, geographical coverage, and resources to mobilize.
  • Contribute to the design of the proposal, in collaboration with Head of Base, DCDs, Program coordinator and G&R Managers.
  • Continue to monitor needs and gaps, and update Head of Base and DCD on critical changes.
• Objective 2: Support and coordinate PMs to ensure the implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects.
  • Guide PMs on projects implementation in line with the logical framework, the budget, the logistical and administrative procedures of ACF, and in full coordination with other programs and Head of Base.
  • Support PMs to develop planning tools (procurement plan, project management tool, staffing plan, etc.) for all projects and consolidating/revising the plans among all sectors (program and support), to be shared with Head of Base, Area team and Coordination Team.
  • Ensure the collaboration among MEAL and PMs to carry out technical assessments and coordinate multi-sectorial assessments.
  • Support PMs to coordinate with field-level Finance and Logistics Departments to facilitate project procurement; monitor and analyse the logistical, administrative and human resourcing being used within the programmes, recommending streamlining options and improvement of processes; play a coordinating role between PM/HEAD OF BASE/LOG/FIN at base level.
  • Support the PMs to establish effective workplans, provide regular monthly follow-up on every project, and pre-identify/respond effectively to constraints and restrictions in implementation; conduct regular meetings with the program teams to monitor the activities progress, revising/proposing adequate monitoring tools.
  • Ensure supervision and monitoring by PMs and his/her teams of the proper implementation of activities, identify the technical constraints associated with project implementation and propose innovative technical solutions in response to such constraints, also supporting Program coordinator/PMs to develop/upgrade technical designs/BoQ/SOP.
  • Coordinate with Grants Coordinator, Partnerships Coordinator, and Program coordinator, support the PMs to develop and manage the APRs of the projects at sub-national level, ensure key indicators are met and followed.
  • Ensuring proper monitoring and evaluation of activities in consultation with MEAL Department; play a coordinating role between PMs/Area Co/MEAL at base level.
  • Support PMs in monthly budgetary monitoring exercise (BFU), in collaboration with Head of Base and Finance team.
  • Consolidate and revise external and internal reports prepared by PMs, engaging in coaching with respect to report writing in coordination with Grants Coordinator.
• Objective 3: Support PM to contribute to program quality and accountability processes and measure program impact
  • Promote and contribute to learning and program quality improvement, supporting MEAL on organization and conduction of lessons learnt exercises of each project.
  • Participating in complaint and feedback mechanisms developed jointly with MEAL department and responding to the target population within the framework of the complaint mechanism SOP.
  • Organizing regular meetings among different sectors to ensure the full coordination and integration, and the project review.
  • Supporting PMs to increase beneficiary participation in interventions, suggesting new/review approaches and monitoring the implementation.
• Objective 4: Team Management and Human Resourcing
  • Manage directly the Program managers.
  • Identify gaps and needs in terms of project management, and provide support and on-job training to the PMs regarding budget management, report writing, monitoring and evaluation systems, representation, etc.
  • Support the ongoing nationalisation process: support capacity building for already entitled PMs, draw individual action plan for Deputy Program Managers on process of internal mobility and identify prerequisite conditions to engage in future nationalizations.
  • Participate in the recruitment of PMs, and upon request, participate in the recruitment of other key project staff.
  • Ensure that the PMs implement activities in line with technical guidelines and requirements established both organizationally and those established at coordination level.
  • Provide development plans and appraisals for the PMs to ensure their capacity is built and their performance is improved.
  • Organize regular project meetings when needed, minutes reporting, team communication and team building activities.
  • Participate in the Human Resources definition for departments and ensure the best candidates are selected for the implementation of activities.
• Objective 5: Participate in the coordination and representation of AAH in his/her field of intervention
  • Represent AAH in sub-cluster meetings and any other sectoral coordination platforms and/or technical working groups in coordination with PMs and Head of Base.
  • Initiate technical discussions at the field level with other stakeholders and actors, creating technical advocacy, improvement of coordination mechanisms, referral mechanisms, and delivery of service.
  • Support the PMs in coordination with national and international stakeholders throughout the implementation of the programming, coordinating with the Deputy Country Director, Program and other departments to ensure a common message and position is relayed effectively and clearly.
• Objective 6: Partnership Management
  • With PMs and Head of Base, lead on identifying new partners, as well as building and maintaining partner relationships.
  • Along with PMs and support managers, provide formal and on-the-job capacity building for Partner NGOs in areas including compliance, reporting, and safeguarding.
  • Work closely with Partnerships Coordinator, Deputy Country Director, and Head of Base to implement partnership strategy and ensure proper due diligence and contracting of partners.
• Objective 7: Compliance to the ACF Values & Principles, Gender equality, Child protection sensitivity and Safeguarding policies
  • Ensure compliance and exhibiting ACF Values i.e.; Helping people in need, No-discrimination, Transparency, Neutrality, Independence, and Professionalism.?
  • Read and ensure a full understanding of AAHs Gender, Child Protection and other safeguarding policies.
  • Implement all work-related activities with a gender, inclusion and child protection lens.
  • Help build an inclusive office environment where people do not feel disadvantaged or judged according to their gender or limited due to manageable disability.

Do you meet the profile required criteria?

• Bachelor’s degree in humanitarian, social sciences, or similar fields.
• Good knowledge of Wash/FSL/MHPSS/ Health/Nutrition/Emergency activities.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Consolidate experience of project cycle management and using participatory tools and metaprogram coordinator ologies for assessment, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Excellent capacity on use of computerized system/programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, and technical programs)
• At least 3 years in project or grants management in field-based setting (where programs are implemented), or at least 5 years in international organizations.)
• Knowledge in humanitarian/emergency.
• Excellent capacity-building, personal and communications skills.
• Work experience in conflict-affected settings.
• Professional experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and budget management.
• Professional experience managing a team (supervision, delegation, motivation, addressing conflicts).
• Excellent reporting skills.
• Good organization, ability to set priorities and time management.
• Autonomy, decision making and ability to work under pressure.
• Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking English. Arabic is a plus.
• Very good knowledge in Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook.