Field Operations Manager at Save The Children

Ref Id: 190001GI
Locations: Katsina & Zamfara
Employee Status: Fixed Term

Role Purpose

• The Field Operations Manager (FOM) has overall responsibility for providing leadership, which produces effective delivery and development of programmes in his/her area of operations.
• The FOM is responsible for the efficient management of all Field Office resources (grants, awards, staff and assets) and leads the representation of Save the Children with State level authorities, partner organizations, donors and visitors.
• His/her management of programme implementation and operations will ensure that the Field Office is in accordance with Save the Children’s policies and practises, its Mission, Vision and Values.

Scope of Role

• Reports to: Deputy Director of Programme Operations
• Dimensions: Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world. Join our dedicated and diverse staff in their work to improve the well-being of children everywhere.
• Staff directly reporting to this post: Project Managers/ Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator/ Officer, Supply Chain Coordinator/Officers and HR & Admin Coordinator/Officers, Finance Coordinator/Officers.

Key Areas of Accountability
Quality Program Implementation, Management and Reporting:

• Responsible and accountable for SC’s programmes in the field and for the implementation and management of programmes, grants and awards in accordance with SC’s strategies and policies for quality programming.
• Ensure that the Field Office teams receive appropriate and timely support from National Programme Managers and programme quality teams for program design and strategy, MEAL and advocacy.
• Contribute to strategy and proposal development within the area under the overall leadership of the Programme Development and Quality team. Responsible for ensuring that proposals are relevant, contextualized and inclusive of all required support and staffing costs at the field level.
• Ensure that the programmes are appropriately monitored, reviewed and evaluated on a continuous basis according to organisational quality standards, and in coordination with the Programme Development and Quality team.
• Ensure appropriate systems for all aspects of programme cycle management are in place ensuring uptake of lessons learned.

Operational Management:

• Responsible and accountable for SC’s programmes in the area and ensure the planning, implementation and management of programmes in accordance with SC’s strategies and policies
• Lead the Field Management Team in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of field operations and ensure that programme plans are clearly prioritized and communicated to the support team effectively;
• Conduct regular field management meetings (preferably weekly) to enhance information sharing and effectiveness of operations;
• Work closely with the Deputy Director Programme Operations to ensure adequate logistical support to deliver high quality programmes effectively.
• Lead the development and monitoring of projects’ Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs)
• Responsible for ensuring that field-based teams implement programmes on schedule and within budget.
• Responsible for the delivery of high quality, timely reports for donors and internal purposes, as well as the development of relevant case studies, success stories and other documentation.
• Lead field-based start-up meetings of new projects with relevant CO staff to guarantee a joint understanding among team members of donor requirements, budget responsibilities, technical requirements and other considerations.
• Ensure standardized systems, policies and procedures are in place, well understood by all staff and in line with  the country programme system and are implemented in an appropriate manner
• Ensure that the principles of child safeguarding and safe programming embedded in all programme planning, implementation and reporting and that staff receive regular, up to date training on the same.
• Ensure transparency in targeting beneficiaries, delivery of services and participation of beneficiaries and partners in planning and monitoring of process is reflected in programme delivery.
• Ensure all SCI Management Operating Standards are followed, implemented and maintained
• Ensure all contingency and Emergency Preparedness Plans are continually updated according to Save the Children operational standards and implemented when appropriate.

Financial, Budget, Grant & Award Management:

• Responsible for all budgets (donors and Save the Children’s own resources) provided to the Field office. This may be delegated to other budget holders but overall accountability for the budgets for the field remains with the FOM.
• Lead monthly budget vs actual grant management meetings at appropriate levels with team and in close collaboration with the Awards team. Ensure timely report providing a variance analysis on each budget is submitted to Programme Operations Director and Finance Director
• Identify any budget challenges or issues such as over or underspends and propose solutions to line manager as soon as issues are identified. Ensure that these are identified through the monthly awards review meetings and are immediately addressed.
• Oversee the general application and observance of financial procedures and guidelines set out in SC financial manual and donors’ requirements
• Ensure the grants are managed as per Save the Children’s and donors’ requirement including the quality and timely submission of reports
• Prepare annual budgets for the Field Office programme, assessing costs and budget/expenditures from projects and asset inventory.
• Prepare, and submit for approval, program budgets and expenditure forecasts.
• Responsible for certifying and authorizing disbursements according to SC and donor guidelines.

Human Resources:

• Lead, manage and motivate the field office team, ensuring that they have clear work objectives and individual/team work plans, and receive meaningful feedback on their performance;
• In coordination with the SMT, maintain appropriate staffing levels and structures in the field, whilst planning and implementing specific actions to recruit, manage and motivate staff.
• Ensure appropriate gender and ethnic diversity within the field office team;
• Ensure that Field office staff have clearly defined objectives and understand their responsibilities. Ensure compliance with staff development strategies and Performance Management systems and evaluations.

Security management and Context Monitoring:

• In close collaboration with the Safety and Security Manager, proactively monitor the political, military and security situation at local level and regularly report on its potential impact on SC’s activities
• In close collaboration with the Safety and Security Manager, develop a clear safety and security management plan for all areas of operations. Ensure that staff understand and can implement this plan – and that it is reviewed and updated regularly.
• Manage and report on all security incidents in accordance with SCI Safety and Security procedures

Representation Accountabilities:

• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships and take the lead role in representing the principles and work of Save the Children to state authorities and organizations (UN, NGOs, INGOs, counterparts, donors etc) who are working and visiting in the field office.
• Oversee that local implementing partners are discharging their responsibilities, live up to stipulations stated in the partnership agreement and take appropriate action.
• Ensure that partnership approaches and practices comply with Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and where possible promotes effective child participation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Development or other Social Sciences and Extensive Practical Senior Management Experience preferably in development and humanitarian response programmes;
• Experience of managing the programme cycle, including assessments, project design, proposal and report writing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Experience of managing large and diverse teams in resource-poor, insecure settings.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities;
• Strong  analytical, monitoring and evaluation, and report-writing abilities;
• Technical skills in two or more Save the Children sectors - health, livelihoods, child protection, education, nutrition, child rights governance, HIV/AIDS or WASH ;
• Strong, demonstrable, financial management skills, particularly in budgeting and reporting;
• Experience in, and a commitment to, the implementation of robust Performance Management and staff capacity building and development;
• Strong communication, people management and interpersonal skills in English,
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments;
• Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Strong representational and communication skills;
• Commitment to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding and other global policies, and to Save the Children’s vision, mission and values.
• Understanding of child rights programming.

Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency