Area Director-Gaza

The Opportunity – Area Director

Post location:  Field Office in Gaza

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 12 months with possibility for extension

***Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note that the position might be filled before the vacancy announcement is closed; therefore, early applications are encouraged.***

***This role will be contingent upon securing available funds, and we might use this vacancy to fill more than one post.***

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Area Director will oversee all SCI programming on the Gaza strip. The area office is aimed to grow from the current field office to an approximately 75 mill USD multiyear portfolio Area Office in the coming months. He/she will be responsible for all implementation (direct and through partners) and ensure SCI is offering a comprehensive humanitarian program that takes into consideration the needs of children and communities in areas affected by the conflict. The Area Director will report into the humanitarian director for Gaza, is a member of the extended SMT, and manage a large of team of humanitarian professions across all sectors and program support areas dedicated to the area office.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Humanitarian Director

Staff reporting to this post: Approx. 8 (indirect reports 50+ staff members)

Role Dimensions: Save the Children works throughout Gaza and is likely to establish satellite offices in the North and middle of the Gaza strip. The area office is overseeing all partner and direct implementation in the area.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Programme Management

• Manage all programmes in the respective area, oversight of project implementation plans, assess progress of implementation of activities against plans on monthly basis, and document the progress and action corrective measures as and when required. Take the lead in demonstrating practices for quality program implementation.
• Track budget spending and support the preparation of financial reports and the award review process.
• Ensure that all projects have clear indicators aligned with Save the Children global standards, useful and accurate baseline data and staff friendly reporting formats.
• Ensure donor reporting, evaluation (including impact evaluation), and documentation. 
• Ensure that the response strategy and the annual area plans are implemented and reviewed in line with the regional and global strategies. 
• Maintain clear overview of the security, political and legal context, and how it will impact programme implementation.
• Ensure appropriate participation of staff in program management and decision making and raise necessary issues at Senior Management Team meetings held at central level.
• Play a key role in partners’ capacity assessment and development for building national civil society. 

Safety & Security and Office Management

• Manage, mentor, and motivate the staff in the field to undertake their roles and responsibilities effectively.
• In close coordination with humanitarian director and all operations staff, optimally manage the field offices, guest houses, vehicles and other assets including adherence of staff to Save the Children policies and guidelines.
• Maintain clear overview of the security, political and legal context; and ensure that operational plans and SOPs are frequently updated. 
• Ensure all staff in the area of operations adheres to the safety & security guidelines.
• Support Save the Children visitors to the Gaza Area office and programmes.

Programme Design and Development

• Ensure that programmes are designed and implemented in a comprehensive manner while aligning to Save the Children national, regional and global priorities.
• In close coordination with the Head of Programmes, Project Managers, Technical Advisors and deputy director of Programme Development & Quality (PDQ) improve the quality of programming that shows impact on the situation of children.
• Help respond to opportunities to expand programmes/impact. Help draft/develop concept papers and proposals with staff, Programme Managers, and other Technical Advisors as requested.
• Help staff build on synergies and integration among all projects.
• Support the development/evolution of existing programmes, with the aim of ensuring that staff has the capacity to support others (local partners and government counterparts) in the implementation of quality programmes that show impact.
• Support staff in the preparation and implementation of advocacy plans as related to their programmes.
• Support and represent Save the Children in coordination, programme learning and capacity building vis-a-vis national policy/advocacy and strategy planning initiatives as requested by supervisor.
• Participate in local based coordination with governmental organizations, NGOs and partners.

Staff Management, Mentorship and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing within the team. 
• Guide the Human Resources team to develop, maintain and implement the Human Resources strategy. 
• Ensure that all team staff understand and are able to perform their roles in humanitarian programmes.
• Manage team, define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
• Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.  Establish result-based system and follow up.
• Actively develop staff under the Area Director’s line management, including carrying out succession planning for national staff into positions which are currently international.
• Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities.
• Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance.
• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans. 

External Representation:

• Represent Save the Children to donors, and local authorities across the area of operations.
• Maintain close coordination with peer agencies and UN.
• Represent Save the Children in inter agencies meetings and at Governorate level meetings with government officials.

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In order to be successful you will bring/have: 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• At least 10+ years/substantial experience working with a humanitarian/ development organisation, including at least 5 years of senior management experience.
• University degree in related academic discipline or equivalent work experience.
• Skills and experience in project/programme implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the Child Rights Convention and international humanitarian rights standards.
• Substantial people and programme management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Solid experience in grant management, including budget holding and donor reporting.
• Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.
• Ability to produce high quality reports in English.
• Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager. 
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate. Desirable language skills in Arabic
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. This role is offered on the basis of national or international terms and conditions. 

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.  

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday 
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated 

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at Search Jobs - SCI Career Site Careers (oraclecloud.com).

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.