Job Description:
Job Title: Program Manager
Reports to: Executive Director
Job Location: Karuna Center headquarters is in Amherst, MA, USA but it is a fully remote organization; selected candidate will work from home with a preference for US Eastern time zone.
Application Deadline: May 12, 2023
About Karuna Center for Peacebuilding
Karuna Center bridges divides to build sustainable peace in areas at risk for violent conflict. We design and implement multi-year programs, lead peacebuilding trainings, and provide conflict analysis to national and multilateral organizations. Through collaborations with local partners, we build the capacity of communities and societies to interrupt cycles of conflict, recognize shared needs, and prevent the spread of violent extremism. Since Karuna Center’s founding in 1994, our programs have directly engaged a wide range of stakeholders—from grassroots communities to the halls of parliament. We have led training programs or multi-year projects in more than 35 conflict-affected countries. Learn more about Karuna Center at www.karunacenter.org.
The Opportunity
Karuna Center is pleased to announce a position opening for a Program Manager, which is a full-time staff position that plays a leading role in the overall management and design of our programs both internationally and domestically.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Working closely with the Senior Program Manager, the primary responsibilities are: overseeing and managing projects, with significant emphasis on managing the finances within projects; helping to develop new projects and relationships; and collaborating with and guiding host country personnel. Each of the following activities may occur episodically. All work is undertaken collaboratively with other members of Karuna Center-US staff, Karuna Center teams in project countries, and host country partner organizations.
Program Development:
- Work collaboratively with Executive Director, Senior Program Manager and Karuna staff, Karuna Center Associates, host country partners, and other NGOs and INGOs to conceptualize and develop new international and domestic programs;
- Research funding opportunities to support new programs;
- Co-lead writing narrative proposals and budgets for funding opportunities;
- Maintain tracking systems for funding opportunities and submitted proposals.
Program Technical Management:
- Work collaboratively with Karuna Center program team and host country partners to supervise program implementation and logistics, monitor progress, and troubleshoot challenges;
- Lead the preparation of program reports;
- Respond to funder requests for information and project adjustments;
- Support monitoring and evaluation efforts;
- Maintain databases, calendars, and online file-sharing;
- Maintain regular communication with Karuna Center in-country contractors or staff and project partners, and ensure that such information is redistributed to Karuna Center program staff and others who need it;
- Produce written summaries and project updates for a range of audiences, including guiding project team members, briefing officials, orienting host communities and potential partners, Karuna Center’s Board of Directors, and fundraising appeals;
- Monitor the country and regional contexts of existing programs and brief program team members, and/or supervise interns to do so.
Program Financial Management:
- Work with host country partners, technical experts, program team, and the Financial Director on the development of project budgets;
- Conduct financial management for projects, which includes monitoring and troubleshooting partner financial reports and receipts; monitoring and managing the rate and appropriateness of program expenditures; and assessing, calculating, and deciding upon budget change requests and guiding those through funder approval processes;
- Serve as the main point of contact with host country partners to support their preparation of project financial reports.
Operations:
- Contribute to strategic planning, public outreach and events, development efforts, Board meetings, and other core operations;
- Draft program-related policies, procedures, and checklists;
- Select, supervise, and work collaboratively with program interns to achieve assigned tasks.
Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in peacebuilding, international development, humanitarian assistance, or conflict transformation; Masters preferred;
- 2+ years relevant experience in program management, including budgeting, basic monitoring and evaluation, and time spent in host countries;
- Experience managing grants from USAID, Department of State, United Nations, domestic agencies, foundations and/or other governments desirable;
- Strong proposal-writing experience;
- Fluency in spoken and written English required; knowledge of another major world language desirable;
- Strong attention to detail and ability to relate it to the big picture;
- Proactive, positive, team-oriented work ethic;
- Ability to anticipate project needs and plan for them, while remaining flexible;
- Proven ability to take initiative and manage projects independently, seek consultation and receive guidance as needed;
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines;
- Strong computer skills with high proficiency in Word, Excel and Zoom or similar platforms;
- Commitment to Karuna Center’s mission and ability to reflect its values through a collaborative approach with colleagues worldwide, and respect for diversity in culture, work styles, language, technology/infrastructure access.
Working Conditions:
- Work performed in an office environment with considerable time using a computer for project related communication, reporting, and data entry
- May include international travel to project sites
- Full-time professional position with some flexibility needed to collaborate effectively with partners across world time zones.
- Generous vacation and benefits, and collaborative, informal office culture.
Application Instructions:
For full consideration, please provide a Cover Letter, CV, references and writing sample to: [email protected]
Karuna Center for Peacebuilding is an equal opportunity employer and we are highly interested in creating a welcoming environment for a diverse staff. We encourage anyone, regardless of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, to apply.
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please provide a cover letter, CV, references, and writing sample, on or before May 12, 2023, to: [email protected]
This is a fully remote position that will work from home, with a preference for working hours in Eastern US time.