Program Officer – East Africa (fulltime)

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation (Stichting Vluchteling) is an emergency relief organization that supports partner organizations worldwide to assist displaced populations. In case of acute need, the Netherlands Refugee Foundation provides funding to international and national partners in order to provide direct assistance, such as shelter, medical care, clean drinking water and sanitation. In the Netherlands, the Refugee Foundation provides information to the Dutch public about the situation of refugees and internally displaced as well as about emergency aid in general.

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation currently has a diverse and enthusiastic team with around 50 employees, working predominately from The Hague.

For the SV’s office in the Hague, we are currently seeking a Program Officer to oversee the effective implementation of our programs in East Africa (interim – replacement during maternity leave).

Program Officer – East Africa (fulltime)

Common tasks
The program officer is responsible for managing grants that are provided from SV to both local and international aid organizations; in order to implement emergency aid programmes for refugees and displaced persons.

Furthermore the PO will contribute to our East-Africa regional strategy and will be expected to keep our internal knowledge on the region is up to date, and provide support to strengthen advocacy and communication messaging.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in program management, working with local partners and implementing MEAL policies.

Place in the organization

The Programs Team in The Hague currently consists of six program officers, a MEAL officer, a Localisation Advisor, three Medical Advisors working on non-communicable diseases and mental health, an Advisor Humanitarian Access, and two employees working on lobby and advocacy. The overall Programs Team works closely with the Communications, Fundraising and Finance departments.

The post will be based in The Hague, with possibility to travel, and the project officer will report to the Head of Programmes and Advocacy.

What does your job entail?
• Steer the development of concept notes, proposals, reports (including financial), and other documents relevant to programs with our national and international partners mainly;
• Ensure that during the project cycle internal procedures on project and grant management are strictly adhered to; including reviewing project reporting and financial reporting;
• Maintain an active partnership relation management, including planning regular calls and written exchanges;
• Monitor and evaluate aid programs, both from the office and on the ground where relevant;
• Ensure timely evaluations and audits of partners’ and SV projects and monitor to ensure these are of high quality;
• Contribute to assessing partners' organisational, project and grant management capacity;
• Actively contribute to the reflections around SV's MEAL strategies and organizational learning;
• Participate in internal and external consultative bodies such as NGO meetings and meetings with private donors when relevant;
• Actively follow developments in the region to feed advocacy efforts and actively contribute to the achievement of the regional strategic plan;
• Draft briefings/talking points to support our communication and fundraising strategies;
• Where relevant, function as focal point for all matters related to donor’s contract, compliance, guidelines and reporting (predominantly SHO) and contribute to proposal writing to institutional donors.

What do we expect from you?
• At least three year of experience with program management cycle and with (remote) monitoring and evaluations of humanitarian assistance;
• Demonstrable international work experience in the field of refugees and/or humanitarian aid, preferably in programming or humanitarian affairs;
• Strong planning and organisational skills; rigorous in keeping track of reporting, evaluation and budget follow-up;
• Critical and constructive attitude towards MEAL beyond ‘ticking the boxes’;
• Experience with writing proposal for institutional donors (ECHO, BHA,..) is a plus;
• Experience with, and knowledge of, the implementation and monitoring of the CHS commitments is an advantage;
• Demonstrable work experience in East Africa is an advantage;
• Numerical insight, attention for details and process;
• Excellent oral and written skills in English; knowledge of local languages will be a plus;
• Enthusiastic, creative, enterprising;
• Willingness to travel abroad, including travel to conflict areas;
• You endorse the goals and aims of the Netherlands Refugee Foundation.

What do we offer you?
• A dynamic position in an enthusiastic organization of about 50 employees;
• The position will be based in The Netherlands, The Hague, with possible travel to the field.
• A function with room for own initiative and new ideas;
• An employment contract for eight months (May – December), with possibility to extend in case funding is available;
• Start date will be May 2024;
• Salary and working conditions appropriate for a non-profit organization, depending on education and experience.

Stichting Vluchteling has a Code of Conduct, containing the values and principles of the Refugee Foundation, including with regard to integrity & reliability and the prevention of any form of discrimination and / or abuse of power. Every employee must endorse these and act accordingly at all times. Taking references and requesting a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) are part of the application procedure. Stichting Vluchteling is part of the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

Something for you? Then respond as soon as possible.

Send an e-mail before 24th of April 2024 with your motivation and your CV to Benoit de Gryse, via solliciteren@vluchteling.nl stating "Vacancy Program Officer – East Africa". Applicants will be notified before 26th of April 2024.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Benoit de Gryse during office hours: 070 346 89 46.

Acquisition is not appreciated.