Humanitarian Program Officer

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Competitive salary and benefits

Professional development and training

Dynamic mission-driven environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Humanitarian Program Officer for the East London region to oversee design and management of relief and development projects in line with humanitarian standards.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and at least four years in humanitarian program management; you'll work with communities, partners, and government to assess needs, develop proposals, manage budgets and monitor progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 4 years in humanitarian program management.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion.
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and Sphere standards.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Strong report writing and proposal development skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PM software.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in East London or similar communities is a plus.
• Ability to work under pressure in challenging environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design, implementation, and management of humanitarian programs in East London.
• Conduct needs assessments and gather data to inform strategy.
• Develop project proposals and donor budgets.
• Manage activities to meet timelines and budgets.
• Monitor progress and evaluate impact; prepare reports.
• Build relationships with communities, authorities, and partners.
• Ensure compliance with policies, donors, and humanitarian standards.
• Provide training and support to staff and partners.
• Represent the organization at meetings and with stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate project risks.

Skills

Program management

Needs assessment

Proposal writing

Budgeting

Donor reports

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Development / related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a respected international non-profit organization focused on providing emergency relief and long-term development assistance, is seeking a dedicated Humanitarian Program Officer for the East London region. This role is instrumental in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of various humanitarian projects, ensuring they are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with humanitarian principles. You will work closely with local communities, partner organizations, and government stakeholders to assess needs, develop project proposals, and manage project activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong program management skills, a deep understanding of humanitarian aid principles, and a commitment to serving vulnerable populations. This is a challenging yet incredibly rewarding opportunity to contribute to vital relief efforts in the East London community.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, implementation, and management of humanitarian programs in the East London area.
• Conduct needs assessments and gather data to inform program development and strategy.
• Develop project proposals and budgets for submission to donors and partners.
• Manage project activities, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to high standards.
• Monitor and evaluate project progress and impact, collecting data and preparing regular reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, government authorities, and implementing partners.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and humanitarian standards.
• Provide training and support to local staff and partners involved in program implementation.
• Represent the organization at coordination meetings and stakeholder engagements in East London.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and challenges.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in humanitarian program management or implementation, preferably in disaster response or development contexts.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, standards (e.g., Sphere), and the international aid architecture.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Strong report writing and proposal development skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with project management software.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience working in the East London region or similar community settings is a plus.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to challenging environments.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead and manage impactful humanitarian programs in East London.
• Professional development and training opportunities in humanitarian aid.
• A dynamic and mission-driven work environment.
• Hybrid work arrangement for improved work-life balance.
• Contribute directly to alleviating suffering and fostering resilience.