Head of Program Operations at Arrupe Jesuit Institute

BACKGROUND

The Arrupe Jesuit Institute (AJI) (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus of the North-West Africa Province, incorporated as a National non-governmental organisation with a mission to promote faith, justice, and ethical leadership through advocacy, education, and youth engagement.

The Arrupe Jesuit Institute (AJI) is dedicated to promoting a just and humane society through advocacy, education, and the formation of ethical leadership grounded in Ignatian values. In response to changing social needs and operational realities, AJI has refined its strategic direction to focus on two core areas over the next three years: Advocacy and Youth Empowerment. This plan outlines our priorities, approaches, and the structure needed to implement this focus effectively.

The organisation was founded in 2018 and has a presence in Ghana with the intention to expand to Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia. AJI undertakes services at the national and regional levels with the support and guidance of the ANW province development in Lagos, Nigeria. The style of AJI service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of the people.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Head of Programs oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing program, including planning, organizing, leading, monitoring, and reporting program activities. S/He develops strong partnerships with local education stakeholders and authorities, and is responsible for coordinating monitoring and evaluation.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE FOR THIS POSITION:

The Head of Programs is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of AJI’s programmatic response, assuring the quality and effectiveness of emergency responses and interventions, as well as its fidelity to the Country, Regional, and International strategic plans.

       i.          Program Design and Planning

     ii.          Leadership and Management

    iii.          Financial Planning

Details:

Management and Leadership:

       i.          Cultivate positive working relationships and develop collaborations with other NGOs, UN agencies, and donors.

     ii.          Undertake in-acting capacity and/or by delegation the responsibilities of the Executive

The director when he/she is out of office.

Programme Planning:

       i.          In association with the Executive Director, ensure that response, implementation, and exit strategies are developed.

     ii.          Oversee project design, implementation, and reporting to donors and supervisors, as well as working with the ED to ensure continuous funding of programs.

    iii.          Plan the delivery of the program activities in accordance with the overall objectives of AJI and donors.

   iv.          Suggest and implement initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization.

     v.          Create and implement short-term indicators and long-term objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program

   vi.          Assist in the creation of the annual budget and operating plan to support the program.

  vii.          Create a program evaluation framework to detect weaknesses and strengths and

viii.          globally identify areas for improvement and coordinate the execution of this survey.

   ix.          Lead and coordinate in developing funding proposals.

     x.          Assist the Executive Director in ensuring high-quality, efficient, and transparent planning,

   xi.          Utilization and reporting of financial resources made available for AJI Ghana

Program Organization:

       i.          Create and implement program activities respecting the policies and procedures of the organization

     ii.          Create and implement program activities, keeping as a first priority the staff safety and security.

    iii.          Create and implement program activities respecting all relevant legislation.

   iv.          Create and implement monitoring and evaluation tools.

Program Leadership:

       i.          Lead, support, and assist program staff by providing direction, input, and feedback.

     ii.          Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, authorities, and communities directly and through the program staff: develop the culture of service, accompaniment, and advocacy.

    iii.          Liaise with other Project Directors and field staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery.

   iv.          Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.

     v.          Monitor the evolution of staff’s activities, ensuring compliance with donor and legal requirements, as well as the ethics and efficacy of programming being implemented.

Programme Monitoring:

       i.          Responsible for writing reports on the program for management and funders.

     ii.          Assist the Executive Director in ensuring the correct budget is used at the right time for the right place, according to the set policies and procedures.

    iii.          Monitor and review all budgeted program expenditures.

   iv.          Evaluate budget needs and report to the Executive Director monthly.

     v.          Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and suggest appropriate action to control the risks

   vi.          Report program evaluation findings to the Executive Director and suggest a proposition to improve AJI response

  vii.          Evaluate short and long-term needs for the program’s success and growth and ensure that these needs are being met.

viii.          Lead, support, and assist program staff by providing direction, input, and feedback.

   ix.          Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, authorities, and communities, directly and through the program staff.

     x.          Liaise with other Project Directors and field staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery.

   xi.          Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase

  xii.          effectiveness and efficiency.

xiii.          Monitor the evolution of staff’s activities, ensuring compliance with donor and legal requirements, as well as the ethics and efficacy of programming being implemented.

xiv.          The Head of Programs is also responsible for all other tasks necessary to ensure the quality and timely achievement of projects, as requested by the Executive Director.

Education and Experience

       i.          Language skills: Proficient in English with a working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.

     ii.          Education Degree: Minimum of a Master’s Degree or its equivalent in Project Management or any related field

    iii.          Professional / Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with at least 3 years in a managerial Role on similar Programs in INGOs/NNGOs including strong and substantial technical supervisory experience.

   iv.          Significant previous experience managing operations for similar programming work with IDPs and Refugees.

     v.          Commitment to AJI mission, vision, and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm AJI’ role in promoting faith, justice, and ethical leadership through advocacy, education, and youth engagement, high integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations, and information.

   vi.          Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value.

Knowledge and Skills

       i.          Good analytical and writing skills. Good management capacities and team leadership spirit, good security management, and project management skills.

     ii.          Extensive knowledge of MS Office.

    iii.          Exceptional reporting skills.

   iv.          Ability to work in stressful locations.

     v.          Ability to manage teams remotely

   vi.          Good knowledge of institutional donor procedures and financial guidelines

  vii.          Knowledge of humanitarian actors

viii.          Good management and pedagogical skills

   ix.          Excellent communication and diplomacy skills to manage relationship in potentially tense situations.

     x.          Capacity to delegate and to supervise the work of a team.

   xi.          Good presentation skills.

  xii.          Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization.

xiii.          Strong commitment to support/develop capacity of staff.