Organization: NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) (Hosted by Adeso – African Development Solutions)
Position: Program Director
Reporting To: NEAR Executive Director
Working With: NEAR Secretariat, NEAR Leadership Council, Donors and Partners
Duty Station: Remote
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of renewal)
Starting Date: As soon as possible
ABOUT NEAR
NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) is a movement of local organizations with a bold ambition – to reshape the top-down humanitarian and development system to one that is locally driven and owned, and is built around equitable, dignified and accountable partnerships. NEAR is a membership based organization with members coming from four regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
ABOUT ADESO
NEAR is currently hosted by Adeso, an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. Adeso and NEAR both aspire to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: Influencing policy change and enacting systemic change through innovative solutions led by local and national actors.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Program Director will lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of NEAR’s programmatic interventions, ensuring that they contribute to building internal capacity, drive towards the ambition of reinventing aid, building solutions, and leapfrogging challenges. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing the work of pillar leads, who will lead NEAR’s advocacy, research, campaigns, and innovative financing work. The Program Director will work closely with the Executive Director to ensure the successful delivery of NEAR’s vision and mission.
SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and oversee the implementation of NEAR’s programmatic interventions, ensuring that they are aligned with the organization’s vision and mission, and contribute to building internal capacity, drive towards the ambition of reinventing aid, building solutions, and leapfrogging challenges.
- Oversee the work of pillar leads, who will lead NEAR’s advocacy, research, campaigns, and innovative financing work, ensuring that they are delivering operationally and strategically, while fostering an inclusive and ambitious team culture that encourages creativity, innovation, and learning.
- Build and strengthen relationships between Global South civil society actors, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and development of new solutions through joint advocacy, while strengthening NEAR’s membership base and expanding its reach.
- Direct higher volumes of funding, working with the Innovative Finance team, to local organizations and design mechanisms and infrastructure for unlocking greater funding flows to local organizations, while promoting innovative financing mechanisms and ensuring that financial resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.
- Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and maintain relationships with partners, donors, and stakeholders, while promoting collaboration, partnership, and trust-building.
- Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of NEAR’s programmatic interventions, ensuring that they are delivering desired outcomes and impact, while promoting a culture of continuous learning, adaptation, and improvement.
- Develop and manage the program budget, ensuring that financial resources are utilized efficiently and effectively, while promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
- Supervise and manage the program team, ensuring that team members are working collaboratively and effectively, while promoting a culture of excellence, creativity, and innovation.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY. This position includes individual and departmental supervisory responsibilities, including of the Director of Policy, the Innovative Finance Director, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor, and the Media and Communications Officer.
OTHER DUTIES. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (such as international development, public health, social justice or political science).
- At least 15 years working in complex environments, with a minimum of 10 years of senior level program and operations management experience.
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Great attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively in a remote team environment, with a culturally diverse team and to manage and motivate staff.
- Excellent project management skills, including the ability to develop and manage budgets and timelines.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to evaluate program effectiveness.
- Commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (with a preferred second language; Arabic, Spanish or French)
- Ability to travel internationally as needed.
How to apply
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications should be sent to jobs@near.ngo by 17 April 2023 with “Program Director” on the subject line. The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive.
Each application package should include the following:
- Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information (limited to one page)
- CV
- Three Professional References, with complete contact information
All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.
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