Regional Project Manager Education in Emergencies

TITLE: Regional Project Manager Education in Emergencies

TEAM/PROGRAMME: WCA Programme Operations 

LOCATION: Burkina Faso

GRADE: INTERNATIONAL 4

CONTRACT LENGTH: 2 years 

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work with country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Save the Children is recruiting for an experienced Regional Project Manager who will be responsible for leading the 2nd phase of a multi-country project funded by ECHO to be implemented in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from July 2023.

This is a Programmatic Partnership (PP) with ECHO in the Sahel that aims to strengthen the  resilience, wellbeing and learning of crisis-affected girls and boys through a multi-country,  integrated approach to education in emergencies and child protection in emergencies. The programme will also provide children with Mental Health and Psycho Social Support (MHPSS), needed to support their development, learning and resilience. 

The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the quality of the implementation of the programme, providing overall strategic leadership. S/he wil provide managerial oversight of the administrative, programmatic, technical, MEAL and operational aspects. S/he will oversee the day-to-day implementation of the programme, including the teams in the field as per the organigram. S/he will be accountable for the timely and quality implementation of activities, compliance with donor rules and regulations and effective stakeholder relationship management. S/he will be also be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the donor, Save the Children Denmark as contract holder, Governments and partners in all three countries of implementation, acting as the primary liaison and program representative. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to:  Head of Regional Program Management Unit

Staff reporting to this post: 

• Line manages MEAL Coordinator (100% LOE)
• Matrix managing regional Technical Advisors contributing to the project on Education in Emergencies, Child Protection and MHPPS.
• Working closely with regional Finance, Awards and Advocacy, Communication, Campaigns and Media staff supporting the project.

Key Contacts: Country Directors and Directors of Program Operations (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), Save the Children Denmark (Country Engagement Manager for WCA), in-country operational, technical and support teams. Save the Children will be implementing the program in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso. Save The Children will also be coordinating its work in the countries of implementation with other entities such as IRC and others.  

ECHO has committed support to the project for four years, but approves the financial contribution on an annual basis.

ANNUAL GROSS SALARY LEVEL: USD 50000 - USD 58000 (offer will be based on experience/internal equity and financial availability. SCI offers a competitive benefits package outside of salary).

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

General

• Overall responsibility for the day to day management, coordination and oversight of  the program implementation.
• Ensure strategic directions and recommendations provided by the Steering Committee are incorporated into management of the program and program delivery.
• Provide guidance, strong leadership and ensure rigorous decision-making processes. 
• Ensure that the program is appropriately staffed, including the appropriate combination of expertise across technical and operational areas, building capacity where needed;
• Inspire, lead and motivate the program team to deliver program objectives, including technical advisors and consultants, managers and finance and admin staff working on the program.
• Ensure constant support is provided by SC and partners country offices to the program staff
• Demonstrate high levels of commitment to Save the Children and our vision, mission and values in order to ensure our strategic objectives and breakthroughs are met;
• Ensure the programme and its team comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy to ensure maximum protection for children.

Program delivery, management and quality assurance

• Ensure the development of all program management documents such as phased budget, plans of implementation, procurement plans, monitoring plans, grants filing, staff recruitment plans, etc. 
• Ensure program delivery happens in strict adherence to security policy and procedures. 
• Develop external partnerships and in particular steer the identification of suitable implementers/suppliers and ensure adherence to SC partnership procedures. 
• Mentor, coach and supervise staff and partners, including ensuring that they regularly report on financial and programmatic aspects in line with partnership guidelines. 
• Ensure the provision of high quality technical assistance by technical advisers at regional, national and local level to the program staff.
• Ensure value for money can be effectively demonstrated to the donor. 
• Ensure that regular monitoring, review and evaluation, are implemented in respect with highest quality standards 
• Produce high quality narrative reports and provide budget narratives within agreed reporting schedules.
• Ensure programming interventions are implemented and adjusted based on regular conflict analysises
• Ensure programming interventions are designed based on an analysis of gender relations and that the program seeks to support the different needs and opportunities of women, men, boys and girls.
• Conduct regular field visits, including discussions with beneficiaries.
• Ensure Save the Children’s Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy is understood by staff within the programme as well as partners and suppliers including stakeholders, and that it is integrated into all aspects of the team’s work.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Oversee the process of learning, evaluation, capturing and disseminating lessons from the program for continuous improvement of program performance and overall outcome.
• Ensure that an effective monitoring system is in place for achieving agreed program targets.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation tools are systematically implemented and used by the teams, in collaboration with the technical staff and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) staff.
• Oversee the program’s dissemination of results and ensure that data collection and analisys informs advocacy.
• Ensure documentation of programme learning, and incorporate analysis and lessons learned into new strategies/activities, communication and advocacy work.
• Support spot checks and audit processes throughout the program lifecycle while ensuring the implementation of recommendations. 

Finance, reporting and donor compliance.

• Take full responsibility for the delegated budget holding function on the programmatic aspects of the program and participate actively in finance and program review meetings and contribute to financial decision making.
• Ensure that a sound financial management system is in place, as well as that value for money can be effectively demonstrated to the donor.
• Ensure that quality quarterly and annual narrative and financial reports and deliverables are developed and submitted on time to Save the Children Denmark (contract holder), as and when required. 
• Ensure the development and implementation of SoP for the project in relation to finance, reporting and donor compliance.
• Ensure that a consolidated version of bi-annual plans and budgets and deliverables are submitted on time to the contract holder (Save the Children Denmark), as and when required. 
• Ensure regular monitoring and reporting on all program management aspects: phased budget and actual expenses analysis, work-plans progresses and updating, procurement plans revision, data collection and analysis and monitoring of indicators. 
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Focus on ensuring appropriate program closure and readjustment to potentially cover any gaps
• Ensure compliance with and adherence to Save the Children’s rules and regulations in all aspects.

Staff management and capacity building 

• Line-manage the program’s staff in the areas of responsibility as per program architecture.
• Lead and motivate the program’s staff, ensuring they have clear objectives and responsibilities.
• Create and maintain a cooperative and positive working environment where staff participate in decision making and are supported in progressing towards their objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance regularly, in collaboration with the human resources departments of SCI and partners 
• Identify capacity building requirements of program staff in collaboration with the human resources departments of SCI and partners. 
• Lead on capacity building of staff and partners through coaching, mentoring and training. 

Representation

• Ensure representation of the program, building trust and influence with Governments, donor and other key stakeholders, highlighting where effective practise can positively influence policy.
• Lead and represent the program in relevant fora, avoiding overlap with other programmes in the same areas.
• Represent the program at donor meetings in country and internationally as required

Coordination inter and external

• Develop country level agreement to ensure adequate support is provided by SC country offices staff and functions to program teams securing buy in from CO to the program and its implementation.
• Regularly report to SC senior staff and ensure they remain committed to the program success.
• Clarify matrix reporting lines and collaboration modalities between program teams and SC.
• Identify bottlenecks and find solutions to ensure program teams are adequately supported by SC country offices relevant staff.
• Ensure consistent coordination among all stakeholders at local and regional level
• Communicate regularly across Save the Children offices to ensure strong communications internally and externally and contribute to a coordinated vision.
• Participate proactively and regularly when rrequired in senior management meetings in the areas of responsibility, making concrete contributions to strategic and operational orientations. 
• In collaboration with the field / area managers in the areas of responsibility, represent the program with local authorities and governmental counterparts (relevant Ministries), donor and members of the humanitarian community, and ensure that Save the Children’s work is coordinated with these bodies. 

BEHAVIOURS (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 their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Relevant university degree (Education or other Social Science, International Development, etc.)

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• Solid experience in managing humanitarian programs (with a focus on Education in Emergency, Child Protection in Emergency programming)
• Solid experience in managing multisector programs
• Knowledge of the Localisation agenda and experience in capacity strengthening and working with national and local partners
• Solid experience in remote management and implementation in complex and insecure environments
• Solid experience in management of consortia and/or cross border programs including matrix management
• Experience in resiliency programming in complex/insecure enviornments.
• Fluency in written and spoken French
• Sound knowledge and prior experience in managing EU funded program
• Proven skills in program management and administration, including grants management and donor compliance 
• Proven skills in program monitoring and reporting. 
• Prior experience in managing complex budgets
• Prior experience of working at senior management level in multy country programs.
• Prior experience working in emergency response contexts or fragile states. 
• Strong skills in staff management, moderation, conflict resolution and capacity-building
• Ability to lead a programme and support a team working from remote locations
• Willingness to field travel to remote locations
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children aims, values and principles.

Desirable:

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience in promoting children’s participation in programming, design, implementation and evaluation
• Capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances.
• Experience working on Nexus programming