YEMEN FLEXIBLE FUND MECHANISM

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Chemonics Group UK Ltd. is currently seeking to recruit a Programme Development and Portfolio Lead to oversee the effective coordination and implementation of the programme portfolio in Yemen. The role will be responsible for ensuring high-quality programme delivery, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, identifying and developing new programme and project opportunities, and ensuring alignment with client priorities and strategic objectives. The position will also provide leadership in programme governance, portfolio quality assurance, and cross-programme coordination, while supporting strong political and institutional engagement and identifying opportunities for collaboration and synergies across programmes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

This role serves as the central coordination and management function for programme portfolio implementation, ensuring effective delivery while maintaining strong relationships with key external stakeholders including communities, government representatives, client officials, partner organisations and local and international institutions.

The role is responsible for translating local needs and stakeholder priorities into impactful programme and project opportunities, ensuring alignment with client objectives and strategic outcomes. Operating within complex and often politically sensitive environments, the postholder will work closely with senior sector specific technical expertise and provide leadership across programme governance, portfolio quality assurance and cross-programme coordination.

Success in this role is measured through strong stakeholder visibility and trust, generation of innovative and relevant project opportunities, effective portfolio implementation and the development of sustained political and institutional support for programme delivery.

Success Measures

The role will be considered successful when:

• The programme maintains strong visibility, credibility and trust among key stakeholders.

• Stakeholder engagement is proactive, effective and demonstrably contributes to programme outcomes.

• New project opportunities are consistently identified and developed based on local needs and client priorities.

• Projects across the portfolio meet quality, governance and delivery expectations.

• Political and institutional support for programme activities is maintained and strengthened.

• Risks and stakeholder concerns are identified and addressed early.

• Effective coordination with adjacent programmes creates measurable synergies and reduces duplication.

• Insights from local delivery influence both programme strategy and broader institutional learning.

Key Responsibilities

Following principal duties and responsibilities:

Portfolio Implementation and Programme Management

• Lead coordination and oversight of programme portfolio implementation across multiple projects and workstreams.

• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with agreed governance, quality standards, timelines and stakeholder expectations.

• Manage portfolio level budget allocations and monitor under/overspend risks.

• Monitor portfolio performance, risks, dependencies and opportunities, escalating issues where appropriate.

• Effectively manage implementation risk to portfolio and support programme teams to resolve implementation challenges and remove barriers to delivery.

• Promote continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen programme management processes, delivery approaches and operational efficiency.

• Contribute to programme reporting, governance forums and strategic decision-making processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Serve as a visible and trusted representative of the programme with external stakeholders.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, government officials, client representatives, delivery partners, civil society organisations and other relevant institutions.

• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies that strengthen collaboration, trust and programme impact.

• Ensure stakeholder perspectives and local priorities are understood and reflected within programme planning and delivery.

• Facilitate productive dialogue between programme teams and external stakeholders to support effective decision-making and issue resolution.

• Represent programme interests at meetings, workshops, consultations and public-facing events.

Opportunity Identification and Project Development

• Identify emerging needs, challenges and opportunities through ongoing stakeholder engagement and environmental awareness.

• Generate and shape project concepts that address emerging priorities while aligning with client strategy and programme objectives.

• Gather and synthesise intelligence from stakeholders, partners and the operating environment to inform future programme development.

• Champion innovation by identifying new approaches, partnerships and opportunities to enhance programme outcomes.

Quality Assurance and Delivery Excellence

• Provide quality assurance across the project lifecycle, from inception through implementation and closure.

• Review project plans, governance arrangements, stakeholder management approaches, risk management processes and delivery performance.

• Identify implementation challenges and opportunities for improvement, ensuring lessons learned are captured and applied.

• Promote best practice in programme and project management throughout the portfolio.

• Support capability development and knowledge sharing across the delivery teams.

Political and Institutional Engagement

• Operate effectively within politically complex and sensitive environments, demonstrating strong judgement and awareness of local dynamics.

• Maintain and expand political and institutional support for programme activities and local delivery.

• Monitor political, social and institutional developments that may affect programme implementation.

• Provide strategic advice to programme leadership regarding stakeholder sentiment, political risks and engagement opportunities.

• Maintain a direct and regular reporting line to the Team Leader, providing at least weekly and ad hoc briefings on emerging programme and project opportunities, portfolio and delivery risks, conflict sensitivities, stakeholder sentiment, and political access or influence affecting programme implementation.

• Escalate emerging concerns promptly, coordinate significant politically sensitive engagement with the Team Leader, and ensure relevant decisions, relationships and engagements are appropriately documented and managed in accordance with programme governance, client requirements and ethical standards.

Coordination, Knowledge Sharing and Partnerships

• Coordinate with internal and external programmes to minimise duplication, avoid conflicts and identify collaborative opportunities.

• Share programme insights, lessons learned and evidence-based recommendations with local and international stakeholders.

• Facilitate knowledge exchange between programme teams, government bodies, donor organisations and partner institutions.

• Support development of strategic partnerships that strengthen programme outcomes and sustainability.

Required Skills and Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform the principal duties.

• Significant experience in programme or portfolio management within complex multi-stakeholder environments.

• Strong track record of stakeholder engagement and relationship management at senior levels.

• Experience working with government stakeholders, public sector institutions or politically sensitive programmes.

• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and translate stakeholder needs into actionable projects and initiatives.

• Strong understanding of programme governance, risk management and project assurance methodologies.

• Experience managing competing priorities and navigating ambiguity in dynamic environments.

• Excellent influencing, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and facilitation.

• Ability to build credibility and trust with diverse stakeholder groups.

Training and Development

During your employment:

• You must complete the Annual Standards of Business Conduct training, Cyber Security and GDPR training and any other mandatory trainings as relevant to your role or deemed mandatory by Chemonics Management which will be paid for by the Chemonics.