The Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children, was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts. After passing a century, which it celebrated in 2019,[3] it is now a global movement made up of 29 national member organizations which work in 120 countries.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Field Offices in the Area: Hawassa FO

Reports to:   Field Office Manager– Hawassa

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Program oversight and management

• Develops a feasible program implementation plan and budget and lead delivery on time, budget, and quality
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the program is implemented in ways that are responsive to the targeted communities and children, in line with the education and Child protection thematic strategic plan; Save the Children’s principles, values and compliance procedures.
• Identify critical issues in the implementation of program to initiate actions to address them.
• Monitor outcomes and identify challenges and lessons learned from the implementation of the programme to help develop strategic insights to enable better decisions.
• Initiate and facilitate changes and improvements on implementation approaches and strategies of the programme.
• Work closely with other key personnel to ensure efficient and effective linkages with the Somali Regional government line Bureaus, key regional education and Child protection institutions and Woreda-level counterparts.
• Lead the development of quarterly, bi-annual and annual work plans and performance reports for their program
• Ensure the effective use of program resources in compliance with donor regulations and SC policies.
• Provide technical leadership to field staff (Coordinator, Officers, Social/case workers, and Community facilitators) and share best practices and methodologies.
• In close coordination with the PDQI Education and Protection team, support program development and implementation of best practices.

Budget management

• Serve as overall budget holder for the Education and Child protection portfolio implemented under Hawassa Field Office
• Prepare and compile annual plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports for the programme based on donors, government other stakeholder’s requirements.
• Ensure that program budgets are managed through rigorous budget and finance monitoring practices with participation of all key functions and program team
• Ensure that budgets are spent and charged to their respective budget heads and awards by diligently reviewing the financial reports regularly/ at least monthly and bringing to the timely attention of the Field Office Finance Coordinator, Finance Manager(AO) and Awards Focals
• Efficiently and successfully manage the award cycle by putting in place robust mechanisms to start, implement and close awards in line with donor as well as Save the Children’s policies
• Ensure that awards are managed as per Save the Children’s and donors’ requirements including the quality and timely submission of reports
• Make periodic programme and budget revisions as required.
• Ensure effective and efficient utilization of programme budget and other resources for the intended purpose.
• Ensure that partner finance planning and reports are in line with the project agreement and requirements from donors and governments.
• Facilitate communication and interaction between implementing partners and SC finance team
• Ensure that plans are implemented as per agreed and approved budgets.
• Oversee effective functioning of supply chain systems to procure, store and distribute stock, supplies and services for the timely delivery of response objectives

Monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance

• In coordination with Education, Protection, and MEAL technical Advisors, design results-based monitoring and evaluation process for the programme.
• Work with CO MEAL and National Level Sr. program managers to oversee institutionalisation of MEAL systems to ensure timely and effective delivery of programme/projects activities and outputs as well as appropriate accountability to donors, communities and children
• Regularly follow-up and monitor the programme to ensure proper and efficient implementation.
• Plan and facilitate regular scheduled reviews of projects with partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and facilitate assessments and evaluations.
• Manage knowledge and experiences from the learning process and replicate good practices.
• Ensure the proper utilization and use of monitoring and evaluation systems are put in place.
• In coordination with the program team and CO technical advisors, ensure the preparation of timely program and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal SC requirements and any relevant external donor requirements.
• Ensure that the core humanitarian standards are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct.

People Management and Development

• Plan, identify and resource appropriate and effective structure & staffing needs for the program implementation and suggest changes as necessary.
• Ensure Program staff understand and carry out their duties in accordance with donor requirements, humanitarian principles, core values and the Code of Conduct.
• Oversee the delivery of capacity building plans to develop the requisite operational competencies.
• Supervise, coach and mentor the program team and other operations staffs
• Ensure that the program team possesses the required competencies during recruitment or thereafter – including the revision and/or inclusion into their JDs and performance objectives
• Enhance staff performance through mutually agreed performance management plans, clarity of individual and collective roles and responsibilities; ensure a robust process of performance monitoring, learning & development initiatives and timely management actions
• Promote an inspiring and motivating working environment through teamwork, delegation and the team building initiatives
• Promote and ensure a culture that respects and promotes collaboration, diversity, inclusion and staff recognition

Partner management and capacity building

• Work closely with implementing partners in the course of programme planning, implementation and preparation of periodic completion of reports, annual and quarterly programme budgets and expenditures.
• Maintain regular communication and interaction with partners to facilitate and promote learning and information sharing.
• As part of the localization agenda, ensure collaboration with local partners to ensure delivery of humanitarian responses effectively and efficiently and in timely manner. Provide inputs in identification, selection and verification of local partner and consortium partner for humanitarian responses
• Ensure strong monitoring, evaluation and accountability mechanisms are in place.
• Provide technical support to partners in the course of project implementation.
• Identify critical issues in the implementation of the programme and take the necessary actions to address problems and constraints.
• Undertake regular supportive supervision and (joint) monitoring to ensure proper and efficient implementation of the programme

Documentation and Learning 

• Ensure proper documentation of experiences and lessons (including pictures and video documentation) learned in the course of program implementation.
• Organize and properly maintain database and information related to the program.
• Facilitate and participate in studies and reviews related to the program.
• Facilitate and ensure dissemination of information and study/reviews.
• Provide information/inputs to be used for SC information and communication materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE, COMPETENCIES 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• BA/B.Sc degree in an area of education or equivalent in development studies preferably an MSc/MA/MEng level in relevant areas of social development or equivalent
• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience in managing humanitarian and/or recovery programs
• Previous experience of managing a large multi-sector, multi-national team or professionals
• Previous experience of programme management across multiple locations
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind sets
• Experience of working successfully with senior managers in other parts of own organization or partner organizations to deliver major change
• Experience of successfully implementing changes to processes to improve and monitor quality standards and impact achieved
• Experience of managing and shaping programmes to deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness, and of strengthening implementation of financial control processes
• Solid budgeting skills and knowledge of key donor regulations
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Fluency in Amharic language required
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
• Commitment to Save the Children values

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our 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 others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

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
• Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices, flexibility in working long hours and ability to work with incoming surge teams;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Commitment to Save the Children values
• Teams, in the event of emergencies
• Strong training skill