Job Title: Project Manager, Action Against Hunger-USA

Published May 12, 2023 · Updated May 12, 2023

About us

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in more than 50 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages programs in 7 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA implements more than $60 million in programs annually, and approximately 1,500 permanent employees based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

In Kenya, Action Against Hunger has been present in Kenya since 2001 and is a transformative leader in nutrition security for improved quality of life among vulnerable communities. Action Against Hunger wants to contribute to the optimal functional performance of National, County, and Community systems through strategic partnerships for innovative nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions to achieve its impact. The organization recognizes gender equality as central to its core strategy towards the realization of effective and sustainable outcomes on nutrition, WASH and surveillance interventions. Action Against Hunger is currently implementing activities in West Pokot, Mandera, and, Isiolo counties.

Job Description

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Job Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and finalizing projects within budget and on time, while adhering to USAID rules and regulations. H/She oversees all aspects of the project, from setting deadlines and assigning responsibilities to monitoring progress and ensuring the delivery of high-quality results. As the main point of contact for all project stakeholders, including the project team, management, and clients, the Project Manager must have excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills. They also identify and manage risks and issues that arise during the project and ensure its successful completion. To be successful in this role, the Project Manager must have experience in project management methodologies and tools. The position requires involvement in a wide variety of projects.

Purpose:

The purpose of a project manager is to ensure the successful completion of projects by planning, executing, and overseeing them within the given time and budget constraints, while adhering to project plans and rules and regulations. H/She is responsible for coordinating resources, setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring progress to ensure that project objectives are met, and deliverables are of high quality. The project manager acts as the main point of contact for all stakeholders, including the project team, management, and clients. To achieve this, the project manager must have excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills, along with experience in project management methodologies and tools. Managing all resources necessary for project execution and ensuring all tasks, deliverables, and project materials are delivered promptly are also key responsibilities of a project manager.

Engagement:

Represent the organization in coordination forums and collaborating with partners to ensure successful implementation of projects. They are the main point of contact for stakeholders, ensure project objectives are met, and have excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

The Project Manager also collaborates with other organizations and represents the organization in coordination forums.

Delivery:

The Project Manager plans, executes, and oversees projects within budget and on time, sets deadlines, assigns responsibilities, and monitors progress. Ensure the successful implementation of project interventions following established standards and guidelines. Plan, execute, coordinate, and monitor projects to ensure objectives are met. Success is determined by the timely and effective completion of projects while adhering to regulations.

Essential Job Duties

1. Project technical leadership and Coordination (60%)

Provide technical leadership in project implementation and ensure programmatic coherence within the counties where the project is being implemented.
Coordinate the preparation of the project implementation plan and annual work plans to ensure consistency and coherence in overall planning.
Ensure timely and effective implementation of all project interventions to achieve proposed outcomes and intended impacts. Implement interventions according to schedule, plans, and budgets, and regularly review project status.
Ensure proper planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project interventions in the project areas.
Coordinate and compile narrative and financial reporting information, conduct quality control and produce global narrative reports to be reviewed by the management team.
Coordinate responses to donors on technical project questions that arise during the life of the project.
Maintain regular contact with ACF through the Project management technical leads and field teams when relevant regarding project progress, local context and challenges faced.
Lead in the development of the project design and ensure compliance with donor guidelines and standards.

2. Project Representation and Communication (20%)

Participate in various technical discussions with the key stakeholders to provide and share information and exchange experiences with regards to the project.
Facilitate the coordination of project visits for external stakeholders in Kenya in liaison with the Program Director.
Coordinate the production of external communications materials for publication of ACF as may be required in liaison with the Program Director and project management team.
Manage and maintain technical relationships with various project stakeholders and implementing partners.
Build and maintain effective communications and pro-active relationships with partners in the County including visits by donors.
Support implementing staff to successfully engage with key internal and external stakeholders to maximize the impact of interventions.

3. Reporting & Monitoring (15%)

Ensure proper planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project interventions in the project areas.
Liaise with the communications department to document and disseminate lessons learnt and best practices.
Ensure quality monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports are compiled and submitted in a timely manner in line with the donor requirements.

4. Other duties as required (5%)

Attending planning sessions, team meetings and annual performance reviews as required.
Pro-active exchange and collaboration with ACF team members and the International Network.
Ensure an ongoing process of personal professional development and learning.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities

Fiscal Responsibility: None

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions.
To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders equal access to information.
Provide a work environment where people of all genders can be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
Value and respect all cultures.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

Master’s or Degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, or any other relevant discipline.
Minimum of 5 years working with an international organization in a multi-year, multi sector project management position (i.e. Food security & livelihood, WASH, Nutrition & Health).

Required Skills & Experience

Demonstrated experience working with the national/County departments of health (County or sub-county)
Demonstrated experience working with and/or knowledge of USAID funding agreement regulations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills including demonstration of cultural awareness, diplomacy and tact.
Ability to produce draft and final program reports.
Demonstrable project management and partner coordination skills.
Facilitation and training skills.
Ability to work independently and under tight deadlines, and to multi-task.
Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal and coordination skills.
Strong organizational and planning skills.
Excellent knowledge of MS Office Applications.
Fluency in English with good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively.
Extensive ICT proficiency with knowledge on MS office and other computer applications
Skills on developing M&E systems, data collection, data analysis, documentation, data interpretation and reporting will be an added advantage.