Programme Manager - Yemen

Role: Programme Manager

Location: Yemen

Start Date: November 2024

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary: £51,912 - £60,131, dependent on experience

Accommodation: Room in a HALO shared guesthouse

Responsible to: Deputy Regional Director – Middle East, North Africa & Afghanistan

Responsible for: All HALO Yemen Programme Staff

About HALO:

HALO is the leading global NGO addressing the impact and drivers of conflict in 28 countries and territories, with over 12,000 staff. Most of our staff are local employees and include a growing number of women. Our primary duty is to serve people affected by conflict, clearing landmines and the explosive remnants of war that threaten lives and livelihoods long after fighting has finished. We make land safe where war has ended, while also assisting those affected by active conflict and endemic violence, creating more durable solutions to support stability.

HALO addresses human suffering caused by armed violence in some of the world’s most fragile places, securing weapons and ammunition, and working with both state and community actors to reduce the prevalence of armed violence. In recent years HALO has grown significantly. With our financial strength and strong partnerships with corporates, governments and private donors, HALO is uniquely positioned to help build more resilient and prosperous communities; better equipped to respond to the interconnected global challenges of war, climate change, disease, political and economic instability. As a result, the nature of our programming is diversifying to increase the impact we can have.

Description:

HALO seeks an experienced and dynamic programme manager, the most senior figure in country, to lead our humanitarian mine action (HMA) programme in Yemen. Yemen has been gripped by one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in the past decade of conflict, and is now among the world’s most mine and explosive ordnance affected states. HALO is determined that a high quality mine action response meets the challenges ahead for Yemen’s population. 

HALO Yemen has been conducting demining and ammunition disposal activities since 2019 and employs over 80 staff on a programme delivering humanitarian, development and peacebuilding outcomes.

The successful candidate will have experience leading and managing HMA or related programmes and projects in austere or insecure environments. They will have a demonstrable track record in the improvement of internal management systems, donor relations, and coordination with national authorities and other implementing partners. They will be expected to demonstrate curiosity and creativity in designing and delivering impactful programming, developing partnerships and networks where necessary.

Working under the Deputy Regional Director – Middle East, North Africa & Afghanistan, they will be responsible for strategy development, leadership, and delivery in line with HALO’s global and country-level plans. To inform this, they will need to develop and maintain a close understanding of the political, security, and social events and trends of Yemen, as well as a wider regional view.

Overseeing all programme activities in country, they will ensure operational and contractual obligations are realised by the senior management team, and will be accountable for the safe, effective, and efficient deployment of teams. In addition, they will oversee finance management, fleet management, procurement and logistics, security, government and private funding generation, and other associated responsibilities.

Externally, the PM will represent HALO Yemen with all relevant stakeholders such as embassies, government representatives, other NGOs, and agencies with whom HALO interacts. Crucially, they will also ensure they and their team are accountable to affected populations - the beneficiaries of our work. Ensuring that HALO’s reputation remains strong, they will provide leadership and guidance to your programme and teams.

The role will be based in Aden in Southern Yemen, with a requirement for travel across the country, especially Taiz city. This requirement includes north Yemen and Sana’a if appropriate. The PM will also travel in the wider Middle East region, notably Amman and Riyadh, for donor and partnership engagements.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS BASED ON-SITE IN YEMEN, AND CANNOT BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY*

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, you will be required to:

• Deliver upon HALO’s global and country-level strategic aims, ensuring objectives are translated through activities in field operations, support services, and overall programme design. 
• Provide leadership for the HALO programme in Yemen, ensuring that operations are carried out safely and in line with standard operating procedures, relevant international standards, and contractual obligations
• Maintain and improve relationships and enhance the credibility of HALO with the government, local officials, and other relevant agencies
• Develop and maintain donor relationships, through liaison and donor reporting. Monitor and coordinate activity programming to ensure contractual output requirements are achieved.
• Identify and develop new funding opportunities for the programme, prepare concept notes and proposals, and support campaigns and events to raise awareness of HALO’s work with prospective donors
• Train and develop fixed and deployable staff to enhance skills and capabilities to support programme requirements, and career progression.
• Design and implement capacity development projects for national authorities in conjunction with other implementing partners
• Assist the International Finance Manager to forecast and manage the programme’s financial budgets and expenditure
• Coordinate programme logistics and procurement, with support from HALO’s Scotland-based HQ Logistics Team, to ensure the timely purchasing, shipping and deployment of equipment and supplies; develop a local network of reliable local suppliers and logistic support where appropriate
• Monitor security and risks relevant to HALO activities. Assess and implement appropriate security measures to maximise staff safety
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a wider network beyond immediate stakeholders to ensure HALO’s work draws on the talents, expertise, and opportunities available nationally and internationally
• Update the Deputy Regional Director and HQ as required on any programme issues or developments

Requirements

• Proven experience and achievements in senior humanitarian, development and/or peacebuilding programme leadership and management positions across multiple countries.
• Project and programme design experience, including the direct development and implementation of projects and through remote management if required
• Experience leading a large work force within the humanitarian (or associated) sector and ability to work in a complex environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build effective working relationships with fixed and deployable staff
• Incident management skills and experience
• Fluent English
• Strong Microsoft Office and general ICT skills
• Ability to multi-task, plan & prioritise tasks effectively, and work calmly under pressure
• Effective team player, able to motivate and create a strong team spirit
• Ability to work and live in potentially challenging and remote environments, and adapt and integrate in different cultures

Desirable:

• Arabic language skills
• Country specific experience in Yemen
• Experience in operating in a challenging security environment
• Experience in the mine action sector
• Experience of working within the UN cluster system, ideally in a conflict setting
• Experience of remote management techniques
• Mine action experience, SAFE, HEAT and First Aid

Benefits

• Local overseas allowance of $350 per month.
• Shared accommodation in HALO accommodation provided at nil cost.
• 49 days of leave annually (weekend inclusive equivalent to 7 weeks of paid leave), increasing to 56 days after 2yrs of service.
• Three economy return flights to the member’s official home address (or an alternative location up to an equivalent cost).
• Restrictive Environment Additional Leave allowance, consisting of an extra 14 days of annual leave and an additional flight per year.
• Comprehensive insurance package: Private health Insurance, Life Assurance and Emergency Medical Insurance, including evacuation and repatriation.

To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement detailing why you are suitable for this role, before the closing date for applications which is Wednesday 23rd October 2024. If there is a sufficient calibre of applicants, we reserve the right to close the role earlier than the date noted.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.