The Assistant Country Director (ACD)- Program is responsible for ensuring that CARE’s programs in Sierra Leone/Liberia are positioned to significantly contributes to CARE’s Vision 2030. The ACD Programs provides strategic leadership in the areas of program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and ensures that CARE’s programs/projects make a significant contribution to reducing poverty and social injustice. This person is responsible for overseeing the development, testing and implementation of new and innovative program approaches that are synchronized with the country office (CO) program strategy. They will work closely with, and is supported by the program units at the regional level, interested CARE International Member Partners, and CARE Global levels.

The ACD Programs is responsible for ensuring that program, program strategies and program quality and budgeting remain in line with CARE International Standards and the regional program strategy. They will ensure that CARE’s programming principles and strategic directions are reflected in programs and understood by all members of program staff. The ACD Programs is responsible for ensuring integration across key programs with an emphasis on developing strong links between development and emergency programs as well as in building resilience. As the key contact person with senior programming staff, the ACD Programs ensures a coherent program approach with key synergies across all projects.

The person in this role will be responsible for reviewing monthly budget expenditure reports, pipeline, donor reports and receivables with the Country Director (CD), Administration & Finance staff and other senior program staff on a monthly basis and will ensure that Program Coordinators are managing budgets appropriately, effectively and efficiently. They will provide information for audit implementation, and review audits reports, while supporting the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations to make sure the CO complies with donor policies and procedures.

The ACD Programs will be responsible for maintaining and building upon CARE’s existing long-term programming and integrating humanitarian interventions in line with CARE’s mandate that contribute to, and complement CARE’s long term programming in the West Africa region.

This person will oversee a multi-sectoral team working on key areas like Community Development, Women Empowerment, Access to basic services and Nutrition and Livelihoods. They will also lead the development of new and innovative initiatives.
The ACD Programs will also be responsible for ensuring a sound coordination with the projects/programs teams across Sierra Leone/Liberia. they will provide technical leadership to Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning; Gender and GED, and ensure the use of best programming practices in Sierra Leone and Liberia country programs, learning deriving from the regional program leadership team.

The ACD Programs is a key member of the Country Office Senior Management Team and as such is responsible for leading and supporting CO initiatives. They will be responsible for (along with the CD) maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners and may required to play the role Acting CD when the CD is out of the country.

Responsibilities:

1. Program Development and Resource Mobilization
   • Lead the country office project to Program shift in accordance with the program strategy review conducted in CY 19 , develop new programs in the 2 countries, ensure they are well aligned with CARE’s program approach, vision 2030 and the CARE global and regional program strategy.
   • Ensure that CARE programs address the underlying causes of poverty and ensure alignment with the key strategic roles; incorporate gender, risk reduction, and environmental considerations;
   • Lead and oversee CARE’s proposal development and resource mobilization activities – starting with a sound go, no-go process, and duly consider appropriate partnerships.
   • Coordinate program development activities closely with Program Support, Finance and HR, ensuring we have the capacity to deliver on our program designs and have included adequate budget to cover implementation, M&EL and program Support costs.
2. Program Quality and Management
   • Oversee program implementation through regular field visits (at least quaterly), supervision and close coordination among program team members, participation in planning and monitoring activities.
   • Ensure all newly developed programs and initiatives and current initiatives are integrated and consistent with with CO program strategy and with the CI Programming Principles.
   • Working closely with the Program Quality and Learning working Group to ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place in all programs and that program lessons are being used to promote improved programming and learning. Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems enhance accountability of COs vis-à-vis the communities with whom we work as well as other stakeholders (civil society, donors and government counterparts).
   • Ensure donor and government reporting (narrative and financial) is done according to high quality standards and in a timely manner.
   • Work closely with the Program Quality and Learning Working Group and pro-actively use organizational M&E systems and processes, emphasizing learning and knowledge sharing.
   • Lead the alignment process of existing project portfolio to contribute to the goals in the newly designed programs.
   • Emergency Preparation & Response: Oversee the regular revision and improvement of the Emergency Preparedness plan and ensure that disaster risk reduction/management is included in all programs.
3. Staff Management
   • Review and update job descriptions. Recruit, develop and retain high quality and committed staff who embody CARE policies, procedures and systems, and the requirements of the program approach .
   • Provide clear guidance to direct reports on expectations (IOP) and regular feedback and coaching; Hold periodic meetings with each direct reports and process regular performance reviews.
   • Clarify expectations of all team members, in particular of direct reports. Provide ongoing feedback and coaching to optimize performance and commitment, taking corrective action if and when needed.
   • Delegate both program, program support and finance responsibilities to appropriate level staff and hold them accountable.
   • Ensure that all program staff receive regular trainings and orientation on PSHEA and that all CARE implementing partners comply with CARE PSHEA policies.
   • Ensure that complaint mechanisms for beneficiaries are available and functioning and that regular information is given to communities on these mechanisms.
4. Finance and Administration Management
   • Closely collaborate with Program Support and Finance departments to ensure staff are aware and familiar with financial and administrative requirements and procedures, procurement plans, problem solving mechanisms and ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources.
   • Ensure budgets, procurement plans, requisitions and service requests are developed and shared in a timely manner for all projects and proposals.
   • Review and approve requests for authorization, ensure compliance with donor regulations and CARE policy
   • Monitor expenditures against budget on a monthly basis with all project managers, take corrective action as needed.
   • Ensure sub-agreements, MoUs etc. are consistent with CARE’s policies.
5. Advocacy, Partnerships and External Relations
   • Establish and maintain excellent relations with: officials, donors, international and national NGOs, CBOs and other civil society organizations with special attention to development of partnerships and alliances that will contribute to the program approach.
   • Work with the leadership team to develop and implement humanitarian and development policy and advocacy, including engaging in senior level policy influence.
   • Strengthen relations within CARE at the regional, HQ and CI levels.
   • Participate in developing and maintaining a good visibility of CARE.
   • Integrate and actively support networks of peer organizations.
   • Ensure good media relations and acts as CARE spokesperson as required.