Program Officer - Africa

Job Profile: 

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Program Officer to assist the Africa Team with financial and administrative management of their programs in this region, and especially, to contribute to meeting programmatic reporting requirements. The Program Officer will liaise with all departments in HQ to provide backstop support to field operations focused on ensuring all transactions meet financial, administrative and compliance requirements. The Program Officer will also be responsible for a range of business development opportunities, including research, capture and proposal writing.  As currently envisioned, this position will support Counterpart’s programming in Niger, but the individual may be asked to support other projects in the region as the need may dictate.  This is a full-time position based in Arlington and will report to the Senior Program Manager.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Along with the Senior Program Manager, serve as a primary interface with the Chief of Party (COP) and local staff to support the implementation of projects within budget, established time frames, standards of quality, and donor satisfaction.
• Establish and maintain a productive working relationship with field staff, headquarters staff, implementing partners and consultants. 
• Support, monitor and evaluate program performance through regular tracking of financial and programmatic reports, M&E data, communication with the field teams, and periodic travel to the country. 
  • Monitor program finances and monthly pipelines, and provide guidance to field teams concerning program expenditures, and budget projections working closely with HQ accountants and field finance managers.
  • Review and evaluate program work plans, program performance and evaluation plans; ensure their timely implementation.
  • Review and evaluate quarterly and final program reports.
  • Conduct monitoring trips to the program site as needed.
  • Support the development and implementation of annual work plans. Support the field team in establishing programmatic targets, collecting and maintaining the program monitoring records.
• Review sub-recipient grant packages for quality control, and assist local staff where needed, before they are processed for signature.
• Review procurement packages for quality control, and assist local staff where needed, before they are processed for signature.
• Assist in the preparations of budget realignments and/or modifications to existing awards, as necessary.
• Troubleshoot project problems, and identify and implement creative solutions where needed.
• Engage in personnel decision-making: screen and interview candidates for key field personnel, HQ positions, and potential new staff for proposals.
• Support the expansion and diversification of Counterpart’s Africa portfolio by:
  • Researching and identifying opportunities for growth of the portfolio; 
  • Undertaking capture work to pre-position Counterpart for new funding;
  • Cultivating and leveraging strategic donor relationships,
  • Support diversification effforts of USG and non-USG funders;
• Maintain knowledge of issues facing relevant country offices including the operational environment and potential risks associated with the implementation of awards.
• Represent Counterpart at conferences, professional forums, workshops, events related to Africa programming, and/or technical practices relevant for current program portfolio.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required: 

• Bachelor Degree plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Sound and demonstrated project management experience, including budget and financial management, and monitoring and evaluation. 
• Knowledge of applicable Federal government regulations (FAR, AIDAR, ADS, CFR, OMB) 
• Ability to produce high quality deliverables throughout the project cycle from planning, management, and execution to troubleshooting. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with M&E and program planning, implementation and reporting.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite program, and web-based research tools.
• Strong and demonstrated inter-personal skills, sound judgment, ability to work with diverse teams.
• Proven multi-tasking skills and attention to detail under time-pressure and on short-deadlines.
• Ability to travel internationally, often under conditions of hardship.
• Fluency in English is required.

Preferred: 

• An advanced degree in international development or related field.
• Demonstrated success with business development, including research, pre-positioning and diversitifation of funding sources.
• Prior experience working in Africa or on African project(s).
• Demonstrated understanding of political processes, governance and civic participation.