Program Manager – South Africa

Job Title: Program Manager – South Africa

Grade: 9

Level: Level 2 Manager

Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Primary Purpose:

The South Africa Program Manager is responsible for the administrative and program management, staff motivation and care, and operational oversight of the CWS-operated Resettlement Support Center Africa (RSC Africa) in Pretoria, South Africa.

Please note that this position is open only to South African Nationals & candidates that are legally eligible to work full time in South Africa.

Supervision:

This position reports to the RSC Director based in Nairobi, Kenya, and directly supervises five positions: Staff Security Officer, IT Officer, Field Processing Supervisor, Logistics Officer, and Records and Reports Assistant. Upon request, the position will provide supervision to other CWS staff based in South Africa.

Essential Duties

Program Management, Representation and External Relations

1. Oversees all aspects of program management, employee relations, and compliance with CWS, RSC, PRM, and USCIS policies and procedures
2. Actively promotes a zero tolerance policy as it relates to fraud and internal malfeasance
3. Maintains regular communication with the Senior Management Team at RSC Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
4. Maintains collaborative and productive working relationships with USRAP partners, including US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
5. Oversees RSC Africa’s staff members’ communications with counterparts in PRM, CIS, UNHCR and IOM
6. In consultation with the RSC Africa Director, provides effective leadership to refugee case processing activities
7. Conducts periodic work travel in the region to maintain strong relations with partners’ regional offices Southern Africa
8. Represents CWS in the community and acts as point of contact for community stakeholders, including the South African government, civil society, faith community associations, and foundations

Management and Supervision

1. Provides leadership and overall management to the RSC Africa Pretoria Sub-Office and acts as the CWS country presence in South Africa, including ensuring CWS compliance with requirements of its legal registration in South Africa
2. Provides leadership and guidance to CWS staff, and facilitates coordination and communication between RSC staff and units other RDP program teams in South Africa
3. Ensures efficient and cost-effective program implementation in coordination with Nairobi-based Deputy Director
4. Directly supervises the Field Processing Supervisor, IT Officer, Staff Security Officer, Logistics Officer and the Records and Reports Assistant, and others as may be appropriate
5. Serves as the primary point of contact for all responses regarding security or emergency health crises that may arise, in conjunction with the Staff Security Officer
6. Ensures working culture that values attention to detail, innovation in practices, and responsiveness to employees, refugee clients, funders and operational partners

Administration and Budget

1. Provides direct oversight of logistics, general services, information technology, finance, and general human resources functions of the Pretoria office
2. Anticipates and relays annual budgetary needs to the Finance Manager and Regional Deputy Director for Administration, and closely monitors office expenses
3. Provides leadership to ensure good stewardship of financial resources and RSC assets, including participation in annual financial audits, internal audits and compliance checks
4. 1. Works closely with the Human Resources Department in Nairobi and serves as a primary point of contact for all HR-related questions for the Sub-Office staff
5. Review and approval of payment requests and petty cash
6. Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or four (4) years of relevant paid work experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree required.

Experience:

• Eight (8) years of paid work experience is required.
• Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience is required.
• Experience in overseas processing or US refugee resettlement is required.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of the US Refugee Admissions Program and WRAPS database.
• Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Access.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written English language skills.

Abilities:

The Program Manager must have the ability to:

• supervise refugee processing staff to ensure policies and procedures are implemented and executed in accordance with guidelines and standard operating procedures
• travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and often under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program exercise good judgement and seek guidance as appropriate when confronted with unanticipated problems;
• communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• follow instructions from the Supervisor with a positive and receptive attitude;
• deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, outside agencies, refugees and members of the general public;
• conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of RSC Africa and CWS/IRP;
• maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
• carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision;
• work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;
• take initiative in the development and completion of projects;
• lead others and address issues as they arise;
• maintain strict confidentiality with RSC Africa administrative and operational information;
• manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;
• analyze and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;
• work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation;
• effectively manage RSC Africa’s resources;
• actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)

Working Conditions

Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.

Environmental: Incumbents in this position will work in an office space. Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.

Special Requirements

• A clear MIE background check is required before the start of employment.
• Candidate selected must be legally eligible to work on full time basis in South Africa.

A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel. The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for CWS Africa. Employee will be entrusted with the receipt, custody and payment of money.

Licensing/Certification

None

Competencies

Communication

Ensure effective exchanges of information with others. Examples of skills and behaviors include speaking to others respectfully; expressing ideas in a logical, organized way; sharing information appropriately; and clarity and conciseness in written communication.

Relationships

Ensure constructive and supportive interactions with others. Examples of skills and behaviors include being positive and supportive when working with others; sharing information and resources freely; resolving conflict constructively; and proactively working to remove obstacles to success for others.

Job Knowledge

Utilize and apply job related knowledge to complete job tasks at a level that meets or exceeds expectations. Examples of skills and behaviors include utilizing job knowledge to solve problems or develop new approaches; maintaining or enhancing skills through continuing education; and taking on projects that will develop or enhance skills.

Teamwork

Work effectively and contribute as a member of a team. Examples of skills and behaviors include supporting other team members by sharing information; covering the work of others during absences, vacations etc.; and actively participating in developing ideas for ways to increase team effectiveness.

Problem Solving

Analyze information and develop solutions to challenges that arise during the course of performing a job. Examples of skills and behaviors include researching and collecting facts; defining the issues and the parties affected; formulating options/solutions for addressing the problem; and engendering support for and implementing the solution.

Operational Leadership

Successfully lead a group to achieve operational goals. Examples of skills and behaviors include priority setting; timely decision making; planning and organizing; delegation; and managing and measuring work.

Building and Leading Effective Teams

Earn the respect of team members, create strong morale and spirit on the team and utilize the unique skills of all team members. Examples of skills and behaviors include managing diverse relationships; flexibility; being open and receptive; running effective team meetings; and exhibiting integrity and trustworthiness.

Strategic Leadership

Accurately anticipate future consequences and trends and translate them into the fulfillment of workable strategies and plans. Examples of skills and behaviors include problem solving; dealing with ambiguity, creativity; innovation management and business acumen.