Director Program Operations

FH Culture

All we do, and how we do it, seeks to promote God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in a broken world. As such, we are defined by our ability to make people’s lives measurably better; our ability to deliver impact is the measure of our collective success. For we know that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared in advance for us to do. At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of values called Heartbeat Values.

Job Summary

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief Programs & Public Resources Officer (CPPRO) this role will lead and provide oversight of Program Delivery Systems and process improvement. This position will provide leadership for functional and operational issues, monitor the regions’ performance, and ensure processes, mechanisms, and capacities are in place to assure quality in a consistent manner across their programming portfolios. The position will also support the regions with country offices (CO) in transition, address compliance issues, provide support to the CPPRO in monitoring the performance of the regions, promote organizational growth and portfolio diversification, and contribute to strategy development while positioning FH across all regions.

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic portfolio management

• Support the CPPRO in aligning Program Delivery strategic priorities to FH organizational strategy and mobilize input and involvement in the Transformation Field Experience (TFE) and re-imagination initiative.

• Co-Lead with the CPPRO, ensuring regional alignment with FH’s organizational priorities, trends in the region and current and future programming considerations.

• Support Regional Directors in the development and operationalization of regional and country office strategies.

• Represent Program Delivery, as needed, in various internal forums to ensure smooth collaboration across the organization and to support excellence in Program Delivery.

Systems and Process Improvements

• Lead Program Delivery system and process improvement initiatives to strengthen the effectiveness of country office operations and project implementation.

• Work with other global departments to streamline standard operating procedures to improve global office support of country offices.

• Participate in internal review processes and support the use of data management tools to analyze performance data and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and business processes.

• Lead development of resources and tools to improve project management and operational standards.

Strategic partnerships development for business acquisition and growth

• Work with the CPPRO to engage with regional and national entities to strengthen the engagement of FH regional leadership with current and new donors in coordination with business development plans.

• In coordination with FH’s Business Development department and regional leadership, develop and strengthen new and existing relationships with public and private sector donors and academia and position FH as a preferred partner.

• Support the regions in the promotion of FH’s work with donors, partners, and other stakeholders.

• Support the CPPRO in advocating for organizational resources to pursue opportunities in the regions.

• As assigned by the CPPRO, and in collaboration with the RDs, ensure that programming and business development activities align with country and regional strategies and advocate for organizational resources in support of these strategies.

• Support new initiatives, new geographies, and new partnerships across the regions.

• Co-Lead and support Program Delivery’s collaboration and input into new business development and quality contribution to prepositioning for opportunities and strengthening local and global partner relationships.

• Assess and keep abreast of the emerging trends in international development and business intel on opportunities.

• Co-lead with the RDs the opening of new country offices.

Surge support to country offices

• In coordination with the CPPRO, support activities in countries offices whenever possible and required.

• Be available to be physically and temporarily located in a country office in transition, where needed In Africa, Latin America, or Asia in support of the transition.

• Participate in the recruitment of CO key positions, where needed.

• In collaboration with the CPPRO and RD, be assigned to a country office to provide temporary technical support around new systems and processes for program delivery.

• Co-lead with the RDs the closing of country offices, actively coordinating with other units as needed.

Operational learning agenda across regions

• Support program quality, streamlining learning, and improvements to implementation approaches (as assigned by CPPRO).

• Lead ad hoc programmatic, procedural, and internal policy reviews/audit to reduce compliance risks.

• Document operational learnings to prevent and mitigate risks.

• Serve as a thought leader internally and externally in providing ‘cradle to grave’ program management and in the design of systems and processes to support effective program delivery.

Other duties as assigned.

Job Level Specifications

• Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian beliefs.

• Demonstrated computer-operating skills, including proficiency in Google platforms, Microsoft Office products, and virtual technologies such as Skype and/or Zoom.

• Leadership and supervisory experience.

• Proficiency in spoken and written English. French or Spanish speaking is an added advantage.

• Ability to travel up to 30% of time per year domestically and internationally, to insecure countries or locations.

Experience

• At least seven years of experience in operations, procurement, compliance, financial, and project management, along with five years of leadership in operations, risk and compliance management, financial, and opportunity development.

• Non-profit ministry experience is a plus.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor's degree or 10 years of experience with some education.

• Master’s degree preferred.

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the Heartbeat Values and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.