The Program Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for HIAS programs in Panama, ensuring that interventions are responsive to the priorities, capacities, protection risks and evolving needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and displaced populations.

The position leads the planning, implementation, monitoring and continuous adaptation of community-based programming where HIAS Panama operates.

Panama is both a transit and host country for refugees, displaced people, and migrants in Latin America. While migration policies have changed across the Americas, hundreds of thousands of displaced people still need humanitarian assistance as they move across the country, headed north and south, particularly in the border areas of Darien and Chiriquí, but with many of them staying in Panama City.

In 2025, Panama hosted more than 155,000 displaced people, including over 5,000 refugees and 36,500 asylum seekers. More than half of those in need of protection come from Venezuela, while thousands of others originate from countries across Central America.

While migratory flows in transit through Panama have decreased over the last two years, people continue to cross through the Darien jungle via new and invisible routes, and there is a constant transit of people migrating south, seeking to return to Colombia and/or Venezuela.

In the face of decreasing humanitarian aid funds worldwide, many organizations have ceased or scaled back operations in Panama, leaving HIAS as one of the few organizations currently providing assistance and protection services to these populations.

The position promotes an integrated approach encompassing legal protection, community-based protection, including MHPSS and GBV prevention and response, economic empowerment and other urgent protection and assistance needs consistent with HIAS' programming.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Business Development and Program Design:

• Develop proposals for fundraising opportunities from existing and new donors.
• Ensure programming recognizes the different needs of people in transit, in reverse movement, seeking asylum, or pursuing longer-term integration in Panama.
• Establish mechanisms that enable communities to participate meaningfully in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Translate assessment findings, community feedback and program data into practical program priorities, implementation plans and resource decisions.
• Identify geographic and service gaps and recommend appropriate adjustments or expansion of programming.
• Participate in the development of the strategic and operational plan for programs at the national level.

Program Management and Implementation:

• Lead the implementation of programs according to approved proposals, workplans, budgets, donor requirements and HIAS technical standards.
• Establish implementation plans with clear milestones, responsibilities, indicators and community-level outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with government and nongovernmental institutions to strengthen the response to the needs of the refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant populations in the country.
• Advise Country Management on programmatic priorities, risks, and resource requirements, including human, financial, technical, and logistical needs necessary for effective program delivery.
• Manage the internal implementation of prevention protocols in response to survivors of gender-based violence.
• Analyze and consolidate information to generate statistical and narrative reports in accordance with the requirements of the Organization, the Headquarters, or donors.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning

• Regularly monitor program implementation and introduce timely corrective actions when services are not adequately addressing identified needs.
• Manage, with the Monitoring and Evaluation department, the process of preparing both internal and external management reports.
• Identify and implement improvements or adjustments to program procedures and ways to strengthen the teams’ technical knowledge, in accordance with the demands and requirements of the local context.
• Establish and oversee procedures for recording information and maintaining records at the program level to ensure their quality and confidentiality.

Grants, Budgets & Donor Compliance

• Provide oversight and management for program development, staffing, and budgeting, in collaboration with Financial Management and Country Management.
• Participate in budget-versus-actual reviews and ensure programmatic explanations and corrective actions are provided for significant variances.
• Ensure accurate, evidence-based and timely donor reporting.
• Work closely with Finance, Grants and technical teams to ensure donor and organizational compliance.
• Identify programmatic and operational risks and maintain appropriate mitigation measures.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building:

• Provide clear programmatic leadership and technical direction to program teams.
• Establish clear roles, performance expectations and accountability for program results.
• Identify staff capacity-development needs and coordinate appropriate coaching, training and technical assistance.
• Foster collaboration between field teams and support areas: Finance, Human Resources, Safety & Security and others.
• Promote a management culture grounded in HIAS values.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional degree in a social sciences field; a master’s degree or specialization in social project management is preferred.
• 10+ years experience in project management at international NGO, and/or working with vulnerable populations in situations of forced displacement.5+ years of management experience
• Advanced English proficiency, with the ability to conduct negotiations and deliver effective presentations in the language.
• Proficiency with Office 365 applications for collaborative work.
• Experience with databases.
• Budget management.
• Ability to work in a multicultural team.
• Ability to travel frequently within Panama and internationally as required. Job may require traveling and working in insecure operating environments.

SELECTION PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we make every effort to respond to each of our applicants. We prioritize communication and transparency with all our candidates, including those who are not selected to move forward in the process. Here is a brief description of the current process:

Step 1: Submit your application through our platform

Step 2: Initial contact with Human Resources via phone call or email

Step 3: In-depth interview with Human Resources

Step 4: Panel interview with your direct supervisor and the technical team

Step 5: Reference checks and background screening

Step 6: Offer letter

Step 7: Begin your professional journey at HIAS

Note: Some of our processes may vary, and not all candidates advance to the next stages.

ABOUT US:

For over a century, the Jewish community of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) has been based in New York City, America’s gateway for immigrants. In helping Jewish people escape persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish community—a history of resilience, migration, and displacement. HIAS has helped generations of Jews who have faced violence simply for being who they are, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff members. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that today’s refugees receive vital services and opportunities to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community committed to diversity and inclusion. We work with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and are committed to the highest ethical standards. Our employees come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our team in the United States and around the world. People who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color; people with disabilities; members of the LGBTQ+ community; and people with experiences of forced displacement or immigrants who have had the courage to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workplace that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS advocates for a world where refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunities.

MISSION:

Guided by our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Hospitality • Hospitalité • ????? ?????? (Hachnasat Orchim)

We welcome the stranger

Justice • Justice • Justice • ??? (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empathy • Empathie • ??? (Chesed)

We approach our clients with empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • ?????? (Chevruta)

We believe in changing the world through partnership

Courage • Courage • Courage • ???? (Ometz)

We act with Courage to build a better world

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • ??? (Ruach)

We adapt and thrive, continually demonstrating our resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to inclusion and diversity in our workplaces. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious belief, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or family status, age, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or protected status under law.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to protecting children, vulnerable adults, and any other person who suffers harm or is at risk of direct or indirect harm as a result of their contact and interaction with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, or any other form of harassment or neglect by our employees or associated staff. Any candidate who receives a job offer from HIAS must sign and adhere to the Code of Conduct and the policies related to Safeguarding. All employees must successfully complete a reference check and background screening process, which may include a criminal history check. HIAS participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In accordance with this scheme, we will request information from candidates’ previous employers regarding sexual harassment, abuse, or exploitation that occurred during their employment, or any other incident that was under investigation at the time the candidate left their previous position. Accordingly, HIAS will also share information when other organizations request it as part of their recruitment process. By submitting this application, the candidate confirms their understanding of the selection process.