Job Title: Disaster Feeding Program Manager
Status: Full-time (temporary June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2029)
Location: Alexandria, VA
Division: Programs
Position Summary:
The Disaster Feeding Program Manager leads the day-to-day management, coordination, and implementation of Islamic Development & Empowerment in America (IDEA)'s mobile food kitchens initiative, a strategic program designed to strengthen the organization’s disaster response capacity across the United States. This role supports the delivery of timely, scalable, and culturally appropriate emergency feeding operations in disaster-affected communities, ensuring alignment with IDEA’s mission, values, and humanitarian standards. This is a temporary position based on grant funding.
Key responsibilities include managing program operations, coordinating logistics and supply chain systems, overseeing mobile kitchen deployment, and supporting volunteer mobilization and training. The Program Manager works closely with internal teams and external partners, including government agencies and VOAD networks, to ensure effective and coordinated disaster response efforts. Additionally, the role is responsible for maintaining operational readiness, ensuring compliance with safety and food handling standards, and supporting monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manages grant compliance and reporting requirements, ensuring timely and accurate submission of donor reports, deliverables, and documentation in alignment with funding agreements.
- Oversees project tracking and financial coordination, including monitoring budgets, supporting expense tracking, and working closely with finance teams to ensure alignment between program implementation, expenditures, and project objectives.
- Oversees the full program lifecycle including planning, implementation, deployment, and evaluation, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, and performance indicators.
- Manages day-to-day disaster feeding operations, including activation and deployment of mobile kitchens and coordination of field activities.
- Coordinates logistics and supply chain systems, including procurement, storage, and distribution of food and equipment across multiple regions.
- Develops and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) for emergency feeding, volunteer management, and operational readiness.
- Supervises Disaster Management Team Coordinators and supports volunteer recruitment, training, and deployment to ensure strong surge capacity.
- Cultivates relationships with key partners including VOAD networks, emergency management agencies, and community-based organizations to strengthen coordination and response effectiveness.
- Ensures compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and food safety standards, including adherence to USDA/FDA guidelines and humanitarian principles.
- Supports monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes, including tracking program performance, contributing to donor reports, and integrating feedback for continuous improvement.
- Identifies operational risks and implements mitigation strategies to ensure safe, efficient, and uninterrupted program delivery during disaster response.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, International Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (Master’s degree preferred).
- At least 5–7 years of experience in program management, disaster response, humanitarian operations, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-site programs or emergency operations in dynamic environments.
- Strong understanding of the U.S. disaster response ecosystem, including familiarity with VOAD networks and emergency management coordination structures preferred.
- Proven ability to manage logistics, operations, and cross-functional teams in high-pressure situations.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively in a faith-based environment and align program implementation with organizational values.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently and deploy rapidly during disaster response operations.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States.
At IDEA (Islamic Development & Empowerment in America), we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IDEA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Integrity, Service, Resilience, Social Innovation, and Collaboration. In accordance with these values, IDEA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.