Deputy Head of Programmes

Vacancy Announcement

ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 45 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty together. ActionAid Myanmar’s approach is building capacity among youth and supporting them to work for the community for short- and long-term development for their own community. One of its main programs is participatory community development (includes livelihood, health, education, women’s rights, DRR etc.); through fellowship for young people to promote development in Myanmar. ActionAid Myanmar has been working in partnership with Government, the local and national NGOs in different states and divisions.

Prospective Employees/ Consultants should note that ActionAid Myanmar does not tolerate any form of child abuse or exploitation. Children who come into contact with ActionAid must be protected from deliberate or unintended actions that place them at risk of child abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, discrimination and any other harm. In all actions concerning children, the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration with ActionAid Myanmar being committed to the principles of the Convention of the Rights of Children 1989 and the Declaration of Human Rights 1948 both of which promote respect for the rights of children. During the recruitment process assessments will be made of prospective employees/ consultants in this regard.

ActionAid Myanmar is looking for qualified candidate to fill the following position:

(Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply for this position.)

Position Title : Deputy Head of Programmes

Requirement : 1 post

Location : Yangon

Duration : 12 months (Extendable depending on funding)

Compensation : Basic pay starting from 2,460 USD per month (Salary will be paid in MMK with monthly central bank exchange rate) + other Benefits

Role Overview : The Deputy Head of Programmes provides overall strategic leadership and guidance in developing, implementing and monitoring of the programmes and programme led advocacy initiatives. Together with the Head of Programmes Policy and Advocacy who shall ensure high quality programme management and implementation, effective coordination between programmes and contribute to the program-led fundraising strategy, the Deputy Head of Programmes will have more focus and emphasis on the humanitarian and resilience programmes and advocacy. S/he must ensure that programmes deliver impact, have oversight on policy influencing/advocacy strategies, adhere to and promote ActionAid’s humanitarian signatures. S/he will play a prominent external role representing ActionAid and must be prepared to spend significant periods of time visiting programmes and partners. The position reports to the Head of Programmes, Policy and Advocacy and is a member of the Senior Management Team in Myanmar. The Deputy Head of Programmes will directly manage the manager(s)/coordinator(s) of projects and programmes assigned and will need to coordinate very closely with other senior colleagues.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Organisational Representation and Governance Development

• Active and key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and leads the development of three year strategic and operational plans in line with the ActionAid Myanmar’s Country Strategy and Program priorities.
• Represents ActionAid as delegated to provide and coordinate country level input and participation in the international programme processes including strategy and operational plan development and share programme learning internally.
• Represent ActionAid’s local rights programme and maintain external relationships within a diverse range of stakeholders.

Strategic Development and Delivery

• Contribute to the development of an advocacy strategy and plan to ensure that the advocacy is embedded and connected to programmes.
• Review and ensure alignment of programme priorities, strategies and plans to the Country Strategic Plan and the broader ActionAid International strategies.
• Provide technical guidance in the development of strategic plans and budgets for programme and advocacy initiatives.
• Ensure that the selection of partners adheres to partnership Management Guidelines.

Programme Reviews and Learning

• Track trends in contemporary development programming and programme management practices, document and provide advice/ recommendations on key developments to Senior Management Team.
• Design and develop gender and conflict sensitive programmes to ensure that the program is focussed on those most vulnerable and marginalised.
• Manage complex conflict and gender sensitive programmes across Myanmar and ensure constant reviews of existing programmes.
• Ensure AA has a high quality, well documented and cost-effective programme in the country.
• Coordinate program and project reviews and evaluations in line with Accountability, Learning and Planning System (ALPS), with a focus on impact.
• Work closely with Programme Quality staff to build a culture of knowledge development and knowledge sharing.
• In the event of a new emergency, lead the Emergency Management Response Team and support direct humanitarian response.

Policy and Advocacy

• Support Head of Programmes, Policy and Advocacy for the development and planning of high impact alternative development models.
• Support advocacy advisor(s) in the identification of key issues, potential key collaborators for advocacy priorities.
• Support and contribute to the development of appropriate research with a view to improving the quality of field work and influencing change in policy.
• Conduct and report periodic analysis of humanitarian situations, policies and programmes aimed investing and influencing localization and humanitarian-development-peace nexus that impact on the lives of the poor and excluded.
• Lead consultation with grass roots level programme participants to inform our national level advocacy strategy and policy.
• Oversight in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of the outcome of periodic advocacy plans.
• Contribute to policy briefs and media strategies that inform stakeholders of the policy positions of ActionAid and partners.
• Ensure linkages with regional and global programme and advocacy initiatives.
• Identify risk and mitigation strategies involved in programme and advocacy activities in Myanmar.

Partnerships, Relationship management and Networking

• Initiate and maintain networks and alliances with civil society organisations, academic and research institutions relevant to the focus and priority of ActionAid programmes.
• Support the Head of Thematic teams to strengthen networks that the Country Program/ActionAid Program (CP/AP) is collaborating with. Provide support to these networks and their member organisations for capacity building.
• Coordinate and report on the Country Program/ActionAid Program (CP/AP) in collaboration with government agencies in order to share information, experiences, influence them and/or build capacity.
• Collaborate and exchange information with networks and other organisations in areas of common interest and report on performance on a periodic basis.
• Ensure effective information flow and communication with key stakeholders including partners, donors, government and ActionAid international teams.
• Plan and coordinate the annual partners forum and coordinate follow up actions.
• Conduct capacity assessment for partners, identify their training needs and develop capacity building programme for partners.

ActionAid Contract Management System

• Responsible for creating and maintaining relevant pages (grants, projects and deliveries) for all projects managed
• Updates stakeholder (partners and donors) pages
• Coordinates with ActionAid Myanmar Super Users and ActionAid affiliates regarding clarifications or questions
• Identify team members needed on the system and ensure their participation (training and active use)
• Nominate one team member to share responsibilities in uploading documents, updating progress and tracking deadlines using the system

Annual budgeting and planning

• Coordinate and ensure the development of quarterly, half year and annual programme work plans and budgets by all programme units.
• Receive and review all project and programme reports and develop guidelines for reporting where required.
• Ensure that all processes and products (appraisal, three -year planning, programme strategy, reports etc.) are delivered in time and to a high standard.
• Provide inputs to the annual budget development.

Financial Management

• Review and approve programme concepts and financial requests.
• Review programme expenditures from the programme team line staff to ensure conformity to Financial Policies and Procedures Manual (FPPM).
• Monitor and advise on programme and project spending and variance reports.
• Review and approve partner financial requests.

Staff Management

• Participate in the review of staff job descriptions and setting of performance standards.
• Involve in recruitment of staff under supervision.
• Assign performance objectives to supervised staff, conduct comprehensive performance appraisal of supervised staff and provide / obtain feedback when necessary.
• Ensure that performance records of staff under supervision are submitted to HR on time.
• Provide induction, training, coaching, mentoring and advice to supervised staff to ensure that they understand and carry out their responsibilities effectively.
• Work with HR Function to identify training needs and development opportunities for supervised staff.

Program Risk Management and Legal Issues

• Review and manage risks applicable to the operations of the Country Programme.
• Conduct and communicate periodic programme and advocacy risk assessments and proposes mitigation actions to management

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor degree in social science, development studies, political science. Master Degree or international studies are desirable.

Essential Experience

• At least 10 years of proven track record with a minimum of 5 years in leading programmes in humanitarian and development programmes. Experience working as Head of Programme Department for similar organizations is an advantage.
• In-depth understanding of programming issues and policy work at state, national and international levels.
• Understanding of gender issues in the development context and demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equality within the organisation and in programme work.
• Experience in fundraising work with institutional/ government and corporate donors.
• Experience in leading multiple teams.

Language Proficiency

• Proficiency in English
• Knowledge of local language is an advantage to the role.

Competency Required

• Strategic planning and management
• Background in one of the programme areas that AAM focuses on – women’s rights, governance, youth empowerment and resilience
• Human Rights Based Approach to development
• Staff and partner capacity development
• Networking and collaboration
• Corporate governance
• Programme reviews, monitoring and evaluation

Essential Skills

• People management skills
• Analytical skills
• Critical thinking
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Budgeting and finance management skills
• Programme management skills
• Funding proposal development
• Good communication skills
• Networking and stakeholder management skills
• Public policy formulation, policy research, analysis and policy advocacy