Programme Operations Manager

***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.***

The Opportunity – Programme Operations Manager

Post location:  oPt CO – Ramallah  (with up to 50 % travel)

Contract Duration: 1 year

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential. We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

The Program Operations Manager (POM) is a member of the extended senior management team of Save the Children International in oPT, and the operations leadership group, representing applicable field issues to the DPO and sharing in the responsibility for the direction, and oversight of SCI’s operations in country. The purpose of the role is strategic oversight and management of the set-up and strengthening of programme implementation in West Bank and Gaza.

The POM will closely monitor key performance indicators for program delivery, as well as ensure that bottlenecks are addressed through the facilitation of collaborative work across functions. A key focus of the POM is to provide capacity building support to state team leads and field leads.

This role will be responsible and accountable for supporting operations as well within the Humanitarian Preparedness and Response team.The POM reports directly to the Director of Programme Operations and supports the operations team in fulfilling its full spectrum role at the country and field office levels. In the event of internal or external changes to the operating context, or a rapid onset emergency, the role holder might be expected to work outside the normal role profile, perform other tasks as outlined by the line-manager and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of Programme Operations

Staff reporting to this post: 1x Operations Coordinator

Budget Responsibilities: Yes, per scheme of delegations

Role Dimensions: oPt CO is a high complexity country, multi-member interest, with an annual budget of around $40+m, and 100+ staff. Currently the program is experiencing a growth in funding and complexity due to the war in Gaza.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Key Area 1: Program Management & Delivery

• Responsible for coordination of program implementation both direct and indirect, and for delivery of high quality programming on time, on budget, in line with the objectives of the Country Strategic Plan and in accordance with donor requirements
• Coordinate adherence to robust project management methodology and standardised ways of working, including through capacity building of Field Managers and Program Managers in work planning and program management, and holding them accountable for key deliverables
• Ensure adherence to and appropriate responsibility for donor awards as per the Scheme of Delegation: manage and support budget holders for individual projects and awards, ensuring accurate forecasting, and effective budget management and monitoring, for example through monthly project reviews at field level and at country office level
• Assist DPO in oversight of humanitarian response portfolio with enhanced direct support to prioritised complex humanitarian responses
• Ensure that key project documents are in place at project kick-off, including procurement plans and HR planning, implementation plans, phased budgets, and ensure the periodic review of the same
• Closely monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and trouble-shoot issues affecting program delivery at field level, drawing on support from DPO and relevant departments within the country office
• Work with the DPO, Project Directors and Field Managers to ensure that large, multi-location projects led by Project Managers are managed and supported appropriately
• Support the implementation of MEAL protocols in line with best practices
• Responsible for early communication to DPO and Awards Director for any project amendments, extensions etc. and participation in the development of these requests to donors
• Work with field teams to identify and communicate to DPO/PDQ team any gaps in service provision/unmet beneficiary needs in current areas of implementation or more broadly, to inform opportunity gaps and new business development
• In close coordination with relevant departments, participate in the program proposal process and participate in designing, innovative and high quality programs to serve children
• Require and coordinate Project Managers/ Field leads to prepare timely and high quality donor reports and any other donor requirement, in a manner to allow TA and Awards review, consolidation, and submission
• Support the Field Operations Managers and Project Managers to lead on key delegated areas, including Partnership strategy and programming and government liaison for project sub agreements
• Represent Save the Children to members, donors and other stakeholders as required. • Deploy as required within or in support of prioritised humanitarian responses on a temporary basis particularly during start-up periods.
• Schedule periodic field operations support and monitoring visits to the relevant field locations, designed to observe program delivery, ensure accountability to beneficiaries, monitor controls and adherence to systems, spotlight progress and achievements, and inform learning.

Key Area 2: Staff Management, Mentorship and Development- Program Operations

• Ensure relevant field locations are adequately planned for, and resourced with appropriate staffing and fit-for- purpose operational structure.
• Manages, supports and mentors field operation leads and their team members, including field program and finance managers, compliance, administration and supply chain officers, to ensure effective cross-function collaboration that aids timely and quality implementation of work plans, and budgets, while ensuring organizational and donor compliance.
• Work with field leads and HR to ensure that effective performance management systems are in place at field level, and to identify and manage talent suitable for succession planning, and appropriate capacity building.
• Effective use of the Development to Perform system including the establishment of clear expectations, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased regular evaluations that provide leadership and technical support as needed
• Provide direct and regular on the job mentoring and coaching, to applicable field managers, state program leads and operations coordinator, to demonstrate increased skills and confidence for their respective work areas, and work more efficiently with better prioritization of work

 Key Area 3: Emergency Preparedness, System Strengthening and Others:

• Work with the DPO and field leads to develop and review context specific incidence management protocols, contingency plans, and CO Emergency Preparedness Planning.
• Work with the field leads to ensure timely report of incidents internal and external to the operating context, that could impact SCI operations, and to raise alerts where applicable for potential response
• Facilitate production and dissemination of humanitarian alerts, assessment and categorisation processes, supporting the definition of support needs and coordination of organisational resources (including people, funding, stocks)
• Ensure that systems and procedures are adopted and implemented that satisfy Save the Children and donor compliance requirements
• Work with other department leads on the roll out of policies and systems at field level, ensuring alignment and synergy with standard Country Office processes
• Address any gaps in support service capacity or systems, as identified at field level, with relevant department leads.
• Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children; and excellent customer service for our Members and donor
• Undertake tasks assigned by the DPO under the Operations Department work plan.
• Act as delegate to cover other key Operations leadership roles, as required.

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In order to be successful you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS    

Master’s degree in development, other social sciences; or bachelor’s degree with equivalent diplomas or equivalent years of experience in the field.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• At least +5 years of relevant work experience in an NGO environment, including significant field operations experience in implementing and managing large field based operations and multi-sector programs.
• Strong team management and capacity-building skills and experience. Demonstrated ability to build and manage an effective team with at least three years of direct management experience, and/or expertise with remote operational/logistical/financial management.
• Familiar with effective financial and budgetary controls, management and understanding; managing grants from a diverse range of donors, and coaching others on systems and procedures
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organise a substantial workload, for self and others, that includes complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities in both development and emergency contexts
• Solid project management skills with a proven history of delivering results
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
• Excellent problem solving capacities; ability to collaborate with others to find solutions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent experience of computerized accounts packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
•  Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, in the event of emergencies 
• Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills, as well as demonstrated credibility with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• A high level of resilience, willingness to travel frequently to field locations
• Knowledge of and commitment to safeguarding principles and approaches, as well as principles of do no harm and confidentiality.

Desirable

• Previous experience working within both development programs as well as complex humanitarian programs in high risk environments; Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) training is an advantage.
• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in sometimes difficult working circumstances.
• Valid driving licence.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector.  This role is offered on the basis of national 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. 

Application Information:

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 www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply

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.