Manager, Program Development at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Responsibilities

• Manages the funding pipeline and Program Development Strategy in the Africa portfolio. 
• Leads donor and partner relations, supported by the Business Development Director and Specialist.
• Manages the allocation of time and resources for program development in the Africa portfolio. 
• Leads contract negotiations.

Contributions

• Strategy development: Leads the development of program development strategies for the portfolio. Uses organizational tools to assess the health of the portfolio. Participates in overall business planning in relevant conflict geographies. 
• Business intelligence: Manages donor pipeline based on business intelligence with oversight. Ensures balances of risks and opportunities. 
• Positioning and donor relations: Leads donor engagement and positioning strategy with oversight. Ensures Search is seen as credible by the actors and on the issues identified in the strategy. 
• Partnerships: Leads partner selection decision-making. Stewards peer relationships with key strategic partners. Reviews Pre-Teaming Agreements, Teaming Agreements, etc. 
• Go/No-Go decisions: Facilitates go/no-go decision-making process with relevant program staff. 
• Capture planning: Oversees capture strategy and implementation. 
• Program design: Oversees design and bid process, developing tools, providing coaching and feedback, and quality control. 
• Proposal development: Coaches and supports proposal leads. Assists in cross-organizational proposal development. 
• Proposal reviews: Ensures review processes across departments. Ensures appropriate buy-in. Participates in strategic review processes. 
• Contracting process: Oversees contract negotiations. 
• Knowledge management and training: Ensures cross-fertilization of program development learning across teams. Identifies and addresses capacity needs and implements capacity development plans as needed. 
• After Action Reviews: Tracks factors of success and failure for the program development process and adapts processes accordingly. 
• Recruitment: Leads recruitment and efforts to attract talent. 
• On-Boarding: Oversees on-boarding of Africa Program Development staff and contributes to onboarding of other senior staff. 
• Budget: Budget owner. 
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
• Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
• Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
• Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
• Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
• Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
• Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.
• Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.

Desired Qualifications

• Superior writing, editing, and communication skills in English; knowledge of other relevant languages (French or Portuguese) an asset
• Practical experience with program design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Interest and knowledge in the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
• Deep understanding of Africa region and donor landscape, including USG and European donors; familiarity with non-traditional donors preferred.
• Experience overseeing large and complex proposals (over $5M) preferred.
• High level of analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and inspire creativity and enthusiasm within the team while working in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment with minimal supervision.
• Well-organized and resourceful with time management and technology to prioritize tasks.

Education and Experience

• Typically, BS/BA or MA in peace and conflict studies, international relations, international development, Africa studies, or related field with a minimum of 9 years’ experience (7 years experience with MA) and a minimum of 4 years specific to program development.