Programme Manager (EU Resilience) at Save The Children

Reports to: Field Manager
Staff reporting to this post: 2 - 5 staff
Budget Responsibilities: Yes

Role Purpose

• Strategically lead and manage the EU Resilience Programme in Yobe; accountable for the achievement of programme deliverables and delivery of the joint log-frame within the consortium of Save the Children and International Alert.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Assume overall oversight of the EU Resilience Program in Yobe in collaboration with the Field Manager
• Ensure that different sectors (social protection, livelihoods, peacebuilding and advocacy) are implemented in strict compliance with Save the Children policies and procedures and with relevant EU regulations and agreements, sectors guidelines and the NGO code of conduct.
• Manage and lead programme related strategic liaison with in-country government, donors, consortium INGOs and Agencies.
• Manage relationships to ensure ongoing programme performance and technical quality assurance.
• Ensuring the programme meets or exceeds agreed targets, including reviewing cross-consortium programme performance data and programme management arrangements on a monthly basis, identifying and agreeing residual actions, mitigation activities and influencing consortium partners to ensure partner performance is maintained.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the technical team to ensure that the programme achieves technical excellence, embedding continuous improvements in operational aspects of programmes.
• In coordination with the TAs and the awards team, ensure the preparation of timely programme and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal SC requirements and any relevant external donor requirements.
• Inspire, lead and motivate programme teams to deliver on programme objectives.
• Ensure that the project is appropriately staffed across Save the Children and consortium members, including the appropriate combination of expertise across technical and operational areas
• Identify, implement and improve accountability mechanisms for operating under commercial arrangements across partnerships and programme consortium arrangements including contract compliance considerations.
• Develop programme systems that are flexible and responsive to changing demands of programme implementation.
• Ensure that an effective monitoring system is in place for achieving prior agreed targets in relation to programme activities, budget allocations and financial expenditures, ensuring that value for money can be effectively demonstrated to the donor
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the programme
• Demonstrate and ensure programme implementation demonstrates high levels of commitment to Save the Children and our vision, mission and values in order to ensure the objectives of your role and the country programme are met.
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources in order to keep costs low and ensure safety in the workplace.
• Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure maximum protection for children
• Ensure strong budget management and compliance and resource utilisation

Skills and Behaviours (SCI Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Works closely and constructively with many colleagues at all levels and across cultures, influencing effectively while having little formal authority and to hold peers accountable to deliver on their responsibilities.
• Sensitivity to the needs of a range of stakeholders and able to balance conflicting interests to create shared goals.
• A proactive and flexible approach to work.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves, takes responsibility for their own personal development.
• Proactive, forward thinker who is able to plan ahead and anticipate requirements and problems

Collaboration:

• Maintains a calm disposition and positive outlook when working under pressure.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy as well as with others.
• Fully appreciates of the value of cooperation, both internationally and within a team.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions and cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach.
• Thinks creatively and strategically and translates strategy into practical action.
• Analyses complex information from different sources and to synthesise this information into coherent briefs and communication documents.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence. Displays consistent and excellent judgement.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with proven experience of relationship management with stakeholders.
• Passion and commitment to the values of Save the Children.

Qualifications  Experience and Skills
Essential:

• Minimum first Degree qualification - B.Sc/BA/HND in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience or works experience
• Proven ability to manage large consortiums with a minimum of 5 years’ experience managing multi-sectoral  programmes
• Prior experience of designing and/or delivering large scale (in excess of £10m) cash transfer  and livelihoods programmes
• Extensive experience of working within a senior management role within a complex country programme in resilience building
• Previous experience of managing programme teams in large-scale social protection and livelihoods program  programs
• Experience of managing multi-donor, multi-site resilience programmes (including EU , ECHO, DFID and USAID )
• Demonstrable track record of meeting or exceeding programme targets, while maintaining technical quality.
• Ability to represent the cash transfer and livelihoods programme at a strategic level and engage and influence key stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience of working with national and/or regional level government structures to strengthen the capacity of the state to take ownership for and deliver services.
• Self-motivated and results orientated.
• Highly numerically articulate with a track record of data manipulation and use of spreadsheets and reporting systems.
• Experience in management of finance and budget monitoring and risk management.
• Proven ability to motivate and develop others
• Highly diplomatic and emotionally intelligent with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong communication, and interpersonal skills in English, with substantial experience in managing multicultural teams
• Experience of building, leading and developing a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• A high level of written and spoken English
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.

Desirable:

• Post-graduate qualification in Public Health, or Nutrition or Food Security related relevant discipline
• Substantial experience of working and living in Africa, ideally with professional experience in Nigeria
• Demonstrable understanding of Value for Money and DFID results agenda.
• Ability to coach and mentor multi-sectoral partners.