Programme Manager - Partnership For Learning for all in Nigeria (Plane) at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

• The incumbent will strategically lead and manage a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded education project across 3 states of North-West Nigeria- Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa. He/she will be accountable and responsible for the achievement of the project’s deliverables.
• The post-holder will also be responsible for effective stakeholder management, including developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the donor, state and federal government and development partners working in the education sector.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

• Reports to: Deputy Director of Program Operations 
• Staff directly reporting to this post: 8
• Budget responsibility: Yes

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Implementation and Management

• Manage and lead project related strategic liaison with federal and state governments and FCDO to ensure optimal performance of the project at state and federal levels.
• Monitor progress of project activities against the detailed implementation plan, MEAL plan and log- frame. 
• Conduct periodic review meetings with relevant project and non-project teams. 
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the project. 
• Ensure regular update of all relevant project management tools including but not limited to detailed implementation plans, risk register, procurement plan, issue log, stakeholder register, communication and knowledge management plans, MEAL plan, indicator performance tracking tool and log-frame. 
• Ensure project implementation demonstrates high levels of commitment and adherence to the ethos and values of Save the Children. 
• Ensure effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources.
• Ensure compliance with the requirements of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure maximum protection for children
• Inspire, lead and motivate the project teams to deliver on project objectives.
• Ensure that all project assets and supplies in are maintained and utilized in a safe, secure and accountable manner.
• Ensure initiatives, activities and reports are gender responsive and inclusive. 

Finance and Budget Management

• Manage the Project budget in coordination with Programme Operations Leadership and the Finance Director.
• Acting as the authorized budget-holder as specified in the Scheme of Delegation; ensure that all activities payments are properly approved and are made in a timely manner. 
• Overseeing the budget performance to ensure that projects implementation is on course as per the detailed implementation plans and phased budgets. 
• The Programme Manager will conduct budget monitoring, suggest necessary revisions and prepare draft donor reports. 
• Ensure the realistic phasing of project budgets, including partner budgets, in line with the project activities for each month and ensure that variance is kept at minimum.
• The Programme Manager will conduct budget monitoring, suggest necessary revisions and prepare draft reports. 
• Ensure strong financial management and compliance with Save the Children financial policy and procedures. 
• Ensure effective demonstration of value for money to the project’s donor.
• Regularly analyze the project’s financial performance and develop appropriate mitigations as required.
• Work closely with the project team to ensure that partners are well guided, supported and their capacity built in sound management procedures.
• Lead the development of the project’s detailed budget and ensure timely development of financial reports. 
• Ensure that project delivery is carried out to the highest standards and ensure that budget variance is kept at minimal. 
• Ensure strong financial management and compliance with Save the Children financial policy and procedures. 
• Ensure effective demonstration of value for money to the project’s donor. 
• Regularly analyze the project’s financial performance and develop appropriate mitigations as required. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning.

• Ensure there is an effective monitoring system in place for achieving targets in relation to programme activities, budget allocations and financial expenditures. 
• Ensure proper and regular documentation of programme learning, and incorporate analysis and lessons learned into new strategies/activities and advocacy work.
• Ensure that all learning points from the project’s work are disseminated to all relevant stakeholders and audiences. In particular, work closely with relevant TAs across Save the Children in order to maximize the synergies and learning from the project. 
• Provide p=periodic field monitoring visits across projects sites and partner locations to ensure that project delivery meets the highest quality standards.

Reporting 

• Lead the process of producing regular project progress reports to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Awards, Finance and Technical teams to ensure that all reports, briefing notes and meeting presentations reflect the progress of the project.

Human Resources Management and Development:

• Working together with the Project Team to identify learning and development needs of the project teams and develop specific plans to address the learning needs. 
• Support implementation of the Save the Children performance management system, by supporting, supervising and reviewing performance of the Education coordinator.
• Coaching and mentoring the direct repartees and project staff on the provision of technical support and implementation of quality programmes.
• Capacity building of staff directly reporting to them and other Project staff through trainings, coaching, performance management, implementation as well as in learning and reflection events 
• Setting and managing staffing targets, performance and priorities for staff directly reporting to then and other Project staff 
• Participate in monthly/weekly project management meetings to enable adequate staff support

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFCATIONS AND SKILLS

Administrative & General Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills. 
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point)

Essential:

• Master's Degree or equivalent in Education, development studies, or relevant social sciences. 
• At least seven years demonstrated experience in managing, coordinating and supervising multi-location teams working with governments and development partners.
• Demonstrable understanding of Value for Money and FCDO results agenda. 
• Significant project management experience. 
• Prior experience on education projects/programmes. 
• Excellent budget and financial management skills with demonstrable understanding of donor rules. 
• Excellent communication and writing skills. 
• Commitment to SCI’s mission, values and approach (includes gender equality, child safeguarding and equal opportunities). 
• Demonstrated ability to assess priorities and handle multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality

Desirable:

• A degree or professional certification in project management. 
• Experience in business development/proposal development. 
• Ability to coach and mentor project teams. 
• Experience managing sub-grantees or downstream partners. 
• Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals.