Program Officer (National Position)

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and
non-profit making NGO with a presence in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Niger, South Sudan,
Tanzania, and Uganda. AIRD’s mission is to enable the compassionate movement of those
displaced by natural or man-made disasters to safety and providing them and their host
communities with opportunities to build their lives and thrive for the long term. AIRD provides
operational technical support, including but not limited to-transport, logistics, rehabilitation of
infrastructures, sustainable livelihoods, WASH, and environmental sustainability initiatives to
promote resilience and empowerment for displaced people and their host communities. in
partnership with relief and development organizations that focus on disaster-affected, poverty infested,
and development-oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including
but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organizations and
governments.

Overall Responsibility/Job Summary
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Officer (PO) will support the Program Manager
in executing AIRD’s strategic program objectives, program management, monitoring and
evaluation, proposal development, fundraising, communication and reporting. This position
requires collaboration with AIRD country offices, HQ departments, and donor agencies to
enhance program quality, ensure compliance, and promote organizational learning. The Program
Officer will play a critical role in contributing to program management, data management, proposal
development, and facilitating knowledge sharing across the organization.

Key Responsibilities
1. Program Management

• Assist the Program Manager in coordinating and overseeing the implementation of AIRD’s
  projects across country offices, ensuring that country programs align with organizational
  objectives, timelines, and budgetary resources.
• Track program milestones and deliverables, regularly reviewing progress with country
  teams to identify potential delays or challenges and propose adjustments to keep
  programs on track.
• Identify and assess risks related to program implementation, working with the Program
  Manager to develop mitigation strategies and address any emerging issues that may
  impact program success.
• Collect, consolidate, and analyze program data to support the preparation of accurate and
  insightful reports on project outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned for submission to
  donors, AIRD HQ, and other stakeholders.

2. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Monitor, validate, and enhance the quality of program data across country offices,
  ensuring it meets organizational standards for accuracy and supports evidence-based
  decision-making.
• Assist in the design and operationalization of a comprehensive MEAL framework in
  collaboration with the Program Manager.
• Collect and document program achievements, learnings, and lessons learned to share
  across AIRD and with partners.
• Ensure all projects are documented and filed – must be complete, accurate and current.
• Compile and update monthly statistical information, tracking donor-funded activity and
  impact metrics, ensuring alignment with AIRD’s strategic goals and donor expectations.
• Conduct regular reviews to identify best practices and integrate them into ongoing
  programs.
• Assist the PM in monitoring routines and regular follow ups.

3. Proposal Development

• Collaborate with the Program Manager and funding teams to review and edit technical
  components of proposal submissions, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and AIRD
  standards.
• Support the Program Manager and funding teams by reviewing and refining proposal drafts,
  ensuring they meet donor compliance standards, align with AIRD’s strategic objectives, and
  reflect best practices in program design
• Assist in drafting and preparing sub-award proposals and amendments, ensuring that all
  components meet donor compliance standards and incorporate program goals, organizational
  strengths, and lessons learned from prior projects.
• Assist in maintaining an up-to-date proposal library and toolkit, including templates, donor
  guidelines, and past successful proposals to streamline future proposal development.

4. Country Program Reports

• Collect, review, and consolidate country program reports to ensure consistency, quality, and
  timeliness.
• Support country teams in enhancing report quality and completeness, incorporating data from
  all active projects and funding sources.
• Flag issues requiring follow-up from HQ, providing insights on country-level program
  implementation and performance.

5. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

• Support ERP data management by ensuring accurate data capture and timely reporting for all
  modules.
• Assist the Programs team in extracting and reviewing monthly reports, consulting with country
  teams to resolve any discrepancies.
• Communicate any significant ERP to line manager

6. Fundraising and Communication

• In collaboration with the Strategic Partnership and Business Development Department;
• Assist in compiling impact-focused content, success stories, and case studies that
  highlight AIRD’s achievements and support fundraising efforts.
• Contribute to proposal development for donors and other stakeholders.
• Develop content for donor outreach, including updates, program highlights, and
  annual reports.
• Work with the Communications & Marketing team to craft engaging content for donor
  outreach, including program updates, highlights, and visual storytelling that
  underscore AIRD’s impact and mission-driven work in humanitarian and development
  settings.

7. Other Duties

• Oversee administrative duties within the programs team including database management and
  grants administration.
• Participate in special projects and tasks in consultation with the Program Manager.
• Support the development of case studies and success stories for fundraising and
  communication purposes.
• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing team to develop content for internal and
  external communication.
• Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress.
• Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques.
• Report and escalate to management as needed.
• Support the development and reporting of program risk management strategies.
• Perform risk management to minimize project risks.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Monitoring and
Evaluation, or a related field. A master’s degree in a related field with 2 years of experience is
an added advantage.

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years in program management, monitoring and evaluation or a
similar role within an INGO, ideally with experience in humanitarian assistance or development
cooperation.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Strong knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ERP software.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

Languages: Proficiency in English (French proficiency is a strong plus).