Head of Programme Implementation Middle Belt Region at Search For Common Ground’s International

Team Summary 

• The Program Implementation team has oversight for the implementation of Search’s programs and projects in its country offices, in accordance with Search and donor policies and procedures.
• The Program Implementation team works on the full life-cycle of the project, from the start-up phase to the full close-out.
• This involves designing work plans, implementing activities, reporting, financial management, and staffing management 
• The Program Implementation team collaborates with other departments, including Finance, Institutional Learning, Programs, Global Affairs and Partnerships, Human Resources, and Information Technology 

Responsibilities

Contributions

• Oversight of Program Implementation 
• Leadership of satellite office as a component to the country office
• Leadership for staffing, operations, and employee development
• Program Implementation: coordinate development of inter-project synergies
• Reporting: Ensure project reporting is completed according to established timeline and requirements; contribute to country Quarterly Management Report (QMR)
• Compliance: Monitor internal policy and donor compliance; address serious compliance issues when raised; oversee management of office legal issues and compliance
• Financial management: Oversee management of office legal issues and compliance; review costed work plans and Budget versus Actuals (BvAs); review budget realignments; enforce finance policies and procedures; ensure program-finance team coordination
• Subaward management: Ensure subawards are managed according to Search and donor policies; oversee partnerships strategies and selection processes; address and problem solve partnership management issues when raised
• Personnel management: Supervise Managers
• Support Managers' capacity building in people management
• Monitor team management and address management issues
• Participate in Manager-level recruitments
• Ensure Development and Evaluation Process (DEP) is followed by all Managers
• Develop office staffing plans
• Support adherence to HR policies and processes in their office
• External engagement: Lead coordination and partnership building with International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (I/NGOs)
• Represent Search at national and international events as delegated by the Country Director
• Program management, quality, and project design: Ensure program quality, reflection, and learning initiatives take place in coordination with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) team
• Participate in new project design
• Participate in proposal review teams
• Review new project budgets
• Operations: Member of the Senior Management Team (SMT)
• Provide inputs to strategy development and planning
• Contribute to country Objectives and Key Results (OKR) development
• Manage and oversee compliance with donor regulations and local law. Make sure we are registered where we need to be and we have all legal authorization and access
• Inform adaptation of operations and logistics systems to fit the needs of the office
• Ensure systems can support quality program implementation
• Ensure program team follows system structures/policies
• Ensure safety and security protocols are in place and followed
• Management of the operational presence of country team
• Infuses organizational values into all work

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Works collaboratively with senior managers and colleagues sharing senior expertise; builds teams for successful implementation of projects and programs.
• Effectively influences vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search's network of experts critical to the area of purview.
• Makes decisions on existing information when it may not be complete.
• Adapts to the personal style and preferences of colleagues to assess their needs and preferences; tolerates ambiguity.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search; develops program objectives, indicators, and results; and participates in strategy development for the team.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams with the ability to create a best fit that considers international norms and compliance while supporting an organizational culture for work.
• Overcomes obstacles, including personal biases, by following Search's ethics code in complex situations; displayed in activities as ethical principles and values that guide professional interactions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities in a complex environment and convenes discussions to lead to a favorable outcome.
• Establishes tools to monitor quality of work and verification of information.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources and applies delegation skills to support the development of others, as well as the building of efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Supports employees in their efforts to achieve job goals (e.g., by providing resources, removing obstacles, acting as a buffer).
• Engages with Shared Services teams, cross-functional teams, and colleagues to produce innovative solutions.
• Uses analysis (costs, benefits, risks) to manage within a global standards and best practices framework.
• Guides colleagues, Shared Services teams, cross-functional teams, and direct reports toward learning resources for purposes of broadening skill sets and understanding for continued growth in both breadth and depth of knowledge for organizational functions, standards, and objectives.

Type and Nature of Contacts

• Routinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.
• Represents, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.
• Interacts with the country office and regional staff. 

Education and Experience

• Typically BS/BA with minimum 10 years’ experience

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel internationally at least 20%.