Program Manager – Eastern Sudan

Title Program Manager – Eastern Sudan Location Al Jazirah Travel Regular travel across Eastern Sudan states is required, subject to security and access conditions. Job Family and Level Program Management & Leadership M7 Pre hire checks This role is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks / enhanced due diligence      1.           Scope Responsibility Multi state/project level Department Programs/Implementation Reporting to DCD Programs (Sudan) Direct reports Project/Program Coordinators and field program staff; final reporting lines to be confirmed. Budget responsibility Over 15,000,000 USD Relationship management Program Team, Support Functions, Desk/Support Team  Job Profile You will lead the delivery of RI’s multi-sector program portfolio across Eastern Sudan, ensuring projects are implemented on time, within budget, and in line with donor, RI, and national requirements.   The role provides leadership across project start-up, implementation, adaptation, reporting, and close-out. You will coordinate closely with program, MEAL, technical, awards, partnerships, finance, supply chain, security, and HR teams to ensure safe, accountable, and high-quality programming in a complex humanitarian context. You will also strengthen staff and partner capacity, support adaptive management, and ensure risks are identified, escalated, and managed effectively.  Key Responsibilities   Project Leadership, Oversight & Reporting - Provide overall management for all project components in the East to deliver targets on time, on scope, and on budget, using RI’s project management framework. - Ensure effective internal coordination (program, MEAL, technical, awards/partnerships, and support functions) and timely submission of high‑quality donor reports. - Lead project start‑up/close‑out; identify and lead modifications (realignments, NCEs) in coordination with relevant departments. - Develop and implement an internal communication plan to keep teams aligned and informed. - Ensure timely procurement planning and coordination with Supply Chain during project start-up and implementation - Ensure project implementation tracking tools are regularly updated and used for decision-making. Partnerships Management - Support the Grants and Partnership teams in overseeing partnerships with international/local/national NGOs, including supporting due diligence, sub‑granting, compliance monitoring, and capacity strengthening. - Facilitate partner assessments, improvement plans, and performance oversight; ensure timely and compliant partner reporting and delivery. Budget & Grants Compliance - Serve as budget holder; ensure expenditures align with the approved budget/forecast and comply with RI and donor policies. - Lead BvA monitoring and reforecasting with Finance; coordinate budget modifications, realignments, and NCEs as needed. - Ensure compliant procurement and documentation aligned with donor and internal rules Accountability & Learning (MEAL) - In collaboration with MEAL, implement fit‑for‑purpose monitoring systems ensuring data quality for decision‑making and adaptation. - Ensure timely external reporting to relevant stakeholders (e.g., clusters, MoH) and support learning reviews to iterate program design. - Maintain effective accountability mechanisms, including community feedback and complaint response systems. - In coordination with the MEAL team lead, strengthen data systems for the east projects; review trends to drive adaptive management. - In coordination with the MEAL team lead and the technical team leads, conduct routine field supervision to assess progress, compliance, and quality. People Management & Capacity Strengthening - Ensure adequate staffing and clear roles; manage day‑to‑day performance and foster a collaborative, accountable team culture. - Coach and mentor staff; integrate staff care and well‑being; support recruitment and onboarding of health/nutrition personnel. Safeguarding, Gender & Inclusion - Embed safeguarding in all activities; promote gender‑sensitive and inclusive programming that meets the needs of marginalized groups (e.g., women, children, persons with disabilities). - Train staff and partners on safeguarding; maintain clear, confidential reporting pathways and act on concerns. Behavior & Conduct - Model RI’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding standards; ensure own actions and those of team members uphold safety and dignity of communities served; ensure stakeholders know reporting mechanisms; report concerns promptly. Person Specification Essential - Master’s degree in public health, International Development, Project Management, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, or related field. - 5+ years progressive technical and program management in humanitarian/development settings; at least 3 years managing grants in fragile/conflict‑affected contexts.  - Proven experience managing institutional donors (e.g., UN, USG/BHA/PRM/USAID, ECHO, EC, FCDO) with strong compliance, budgeting, and on time delivery.  - Strong program management experience across multi-sector programming, with good technical understanding of at least one relevant sector such as WASH, Nutrition, FSL, Health or Protection. - Solid understanding of MEAL and using learning for adaptive management.  - Demonstrated leadership and coordination with multi‑disciplinary teams, including remote supervision; experience building partner capacity and oversight.  - Excellent analytical, communication, problem‑solving, and stakeholder engagement skills.  - Languages: Fluency in English. Arabic desirable.  Desirable - Previous experience in Sudan or comparable humanitarian operating environments.  - Familiarity with digital tools for project management and remote monitoring in insecure contexts.  - Experience in emergency preparedness/response and outbreak management; knowledge of WHO/Sphere standards.   RI Values Relief International upholds the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence and affirms its commitment to engaging with the most vulnerable communities. We value: - Inclusiveness - Transparency and accountability - Agility and innovation - Collaboration - Sustainability