Job Description

• Publish Date: January 5,2025                  
• Category: Development/UN/NGOs    
• Deadline:  January 18, 2025    
• Position: Area Manager (South)
• Location: Aden Area Office with frequent field visits to the sub field offices in Marib, Shabwah etc.
• Reports to: Country Director
• Duration: Until February 15, 2026, Renewable based on fund availability and performance 
• Reference: HR-25-01

Note: Position is open for Yemeni Nationals only. 

ABOUT RI:

1.    Context 

About Relief International
Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. 
Currently, RI work in 16 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen and now OPT, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience. 
We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.

About our Country Program/ Regional Programs

RI in the Middle East has programs in seven countries - Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye, Yemen, and now OPT with a focus on the 4 main RI sectors: WASH, Health and Nutrition, Education and Livelihoods. Relief International has been providing humanitarian aid in Yemen since 2010, offering various services like health, nutrition, water, sanitation, livelihoods, and protection across the country. They focus on helping vulnerable people, including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities. RI also provides reproductive health, protection, and gender-based violence responses in specific areas.

2.    Job Profile

The Area Manager (AM) role is a Senior Managgement Team position directly reporting to the Country Director. The AM oversees overall management of programs and support functions in all RI area and field offices. He /she is responsible for program implementation, performance management, capacity development, communication and information sharing (internally and externally), representation and liaison with local authorities, partners and donors. The AM is expected to support  development of new and innovative programs as well as  emergency planning and preparedness in close coordination with the DCD- Programs and the rest of RI teams.
The AM supports the Country Director in establishing new relationships with potential donors, strategic partnerships and business opportunities and safety and security management. H/She represents RI at field level coordination forums and with local stakeholders including government authorities, local business leaders, media and civil society leaders. As a member of the Yemen senior management team, the Area Manager is also a key contributor to RIs program strategy and organizational decision making processes.

3.    Key responsibilities 

Program Management:

• Responsible for overall implementation of all Area Office programs with specific focus on quality of implementation and efficient utilization of resources 
• Lead program teams in the Area office in regular reviews of program implementation status with greater focus on work plans, spending plans and budget vs. actual reviews.
• Support grants team in program review and closeout processes, quality reporting of program achievements and contextual issues/challenges impacting on program delivery 
• Coordinate assessments and targeting of program beneficiaries and ensure program implementation is done in accordance with approved designs and best practices.

Area Office Management:

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, support and guidance to staff in the area office and sub/ field offices where relevant.
• In consultation with Country Director, develop and maintain efficient and effective area office support structure aligned to the needs of programs.
• Directly supervise key Area Office teams. This includes Deputy Area Manager (Program), Finance Coordinator, HR/Admin Coordinator, Supply Chain and Operations Coordinator, Security and Liaison officer as well as Office coordinators in the field offices.
• Ensure systems of support and supervision are in place to create and maintain a healthy working environment that fosters employee engagement and inspired team performance.
• Closely observe staff performance/team spirit, provide appropriate feedback on a timely basis and take or recommend appropriate actions as necessary in coordination with the HR Manager to address any associated problems.

Representation, Liaison and Communication:

• The Area Manager will serve as the key representative of the country director at area office level. He/she is expected to represent the CD in high level donor, UN/ NGOs and government lead humanitarian response coordination. 
• Take lead in negotiations and processing of agreements with government departments and line ministries at the area office. In particular, the AM is expected to lead in processing of visa requests, travel permits, Principal agreements, project level sub agreements and MoUs with national and governorate level authorities.
• The AM will establish and maintain strong relationships with government officials, media, community representatives, the NGO community in general and RI partners in particular, in the defined geographical area and as directed by the CD.
• The Area Manager serves as the security focal point, coordinates and participates in the area office inter interagency security working groups. 
• Ensure field activities and initiatives are communicated to a broad audience by working with program teams to develop and disseminate appropriate information internally and externally.

Accountability

• Ensure RI’s accountability framework is fully understood and implemented by staff and partners across all locations in the area office. This includes full compliance with safeguarding protocols.
• Ensure effective and efficient utilization of RI resources 
• Safeguard RI’s assets in the area and field office by ensuring finance and administration policies and procedures are fully implemented.
• Ensure RI staff and partners fully comply with existing organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensure RI’s safety and security procedures are implemented in the area and & field offices working in close cooperation with the Safety and Security team.
• Ensure field level donor funded projects are managed in compliance with RI and donor policies and procedures

Program Development and Quality Management:

• In coordination with DCDs and Grants and awards team, develop and implement area based program strategy that best aligns with the needs of the target population.
• Support in needs assessments, program monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure program implementation plans are in accordance with RI Yemen strategic priorities and being implemented according  to best programming principles 
• Ensure coherence of program initiatives in the assigned area office, ensuring programs are integrated to address multiple needs of target population.  
• Closely work with Sector Technical advisors and MEAL teams to generate learning and best practices to inform future program development. 

Safety and Security Management 

• In coordination with the Country Humanitarian Access & Risk Manager (HARM), ensures that security management and preparedness plans are in place and regularly updated adhered to at the field level.
• In collaboration with the area humanitarian access coordinator and HARM manager, ensure RI’s safety and security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are implemented in the field level.
• Ensure all program staff are fully briefed on all aspects of security, social and cultural norms and local conditions and behavior.
• Responsible for promoting RI’s acceptance and security and safety awareness for all staff in the area.
• Ensures that RI is operating in a conflict sensitive manner.

Strategy 

• Contribute to country level strategy development
• Contribute to Country Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPP)
• Participate with other Senior Management Team members in the oversight and running of the CO.
• Actively participate with ideas, problem solving and innovative thinking at all SMT meetings
• Provide voluntary leadership and proactive support to SMT initiatives in establishing a learning culture throughout the organization.
• Represent the area office in country portfolio management 
• Serve as the lead member of the area office Incident Management Team ( IMT)

Management and leadership 

• Ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies
• Be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members
• Embrace diversity, and model inclusive and equitable behaviour.
• Ensure own actions and the actions of the teams’ members they manage do not adversely impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve
• Ensure donors, partners and communities are aware of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms 
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded in all the work we do 
• Be responsible for ensuring a culture and systems in place for reporting
• Report any concerns

4.    Person Specification

Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role. 

Essential criteria (education degree, years of experience)

• This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment. Creativity, flexibility, strong work ethic and a sense of humor are highly valued. 
• Master’s degree in a relevant Humanitarian/Development field or Bachelor’s degree with commensurate work experience.
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in a similar or closely related role in conflict settings/high risk locations.
• Previous experience managing programs funded by BHA/USAID, ECHO, EU, FCDO, UN, YHF/OCHA, GAC and other humanitarian donors.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (spoken and written) required. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, tasks efficiently.

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with at least one of RI’s core programs sectors ( Health/Nutrition, WASH and Economic Opportunities/ FSL)
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills required. 
• The RI Yemen Country Office fosters an environment of respect for all coworkers regardless of level of seniority. Capacity building of the team is a core competency, and senior staff will be evaluated on their ability to strengthen the skills and growth of more junior staff and institutional partners.
• Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail

5.    RI VALUES:     

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence as well as “Do No Harm.” We value:     

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability