Head of REALM

ROLE PURPOSE:
The Country Head of REALM is a key position within the Country Office. The role will take the overall responsibility of implementing the systems under REALM framework and SCI REALM approach in Iraq by ensuring strong, accurate and timely monitoring systems for all projects including indicator performance tracking, appropriate and accurate data management, use of quality benchmarking and action trackers for accountability, reporting and learning. S/he/they oversees the design and implementation of a quality, comprehensive and integrated REALM System that meets SCI standards; REALM staff management, mentorship, and development; strategic and annual planning, internal reporting, as well as programme development and REALM resources. S/he/they will lead in determining and undertaking research to deliver the country office’s evidence and learning agenda to inform SCI project design and implementation to deepen the impact of our work on children’s lives, as well as position the Iraq Country Office as a thought leader and influencer on wider policy and practice around our breakthroughs in child survival, development and protection.
As a member of Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT), the role will also involve analysing the data and provide input to the country leadership to inform strategic decision making.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Programme Quality, Development & Advocacy Director
Staff reporting to this post: 1
Direct: MEAL Manager
Indirect : Field Office MEAL Staff
Budget Responsibilities: None

Role Dimensions: The role is expected to foster relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including Save the Children members, the Country Office Programme Development & Quality team, advocacy colleagues, Regional Advisors, technical counterparts in other organisation, donors etc. The role is also expected to engage with internal technical working groups and communities of practice. The context is Humanitarian/development/Peace Nexus.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

* Design and Implementation of a Comprehensive REALM System that meets SCI standards
* Research, Evidence & Learning
* REALM Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development
* Strategic and Annual Planning
* Internal Reporting
* Programme Development and REALM Resources
* REALM in Partnerships

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

The post holder must commit to work in an international agency that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion and fights racism, gender inequality and discrimination in all forms; and to model positive behaviours that demonstrate a commitment to equality and respect to all colleagues, partners and communities.

QUALIFICATIONS
* Master’s degree in relevant field or equivalent field experience

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential
* Minimum of 7 years of programming experience within the aid sector, preferably linked to one of Save the Children’s priority technical sectors (Child Poverty, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education, Health & Nutrition), and with the majority of that time focused on overseeing comprehensive research and MEAL systems that ensure programme effectiveness and quality.
* Understanding of both emergency and development contexts, with a preference for experience in both contexts.
* Experience adhering to international quality standards (Red Cross Code of Conduct, Sphere, CHS) or equivalent.
* Experience and knowledge of monitoring systems, including robust and responsible data collection and use.
* Experience and knowledge of evidence generation and learning on what works (and doesn’t work) for children, including designing/commissioning, implementing and applying: needs assessments, baseline studies, evaluations and research, learning workshops and learning agendas.
* Experience and knowledge of systems for accountability to children and communities, including information sharing, participation of adults and children, and feedback and reporting mechanisms. Ability to prepare and facilitate technical MEAL trainings and workshops across countries in the region (including remotely). Direct experience working with communities in participatory activities.
* Proven success in building and managing a team and dedication to developing staff capacity through training, supervising, coaching and mentoring.
* Skilled at communicating and influencing across relevant teams and offices.
* Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
* Demonstrable analytical and problem solving skills.
* Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, defining and planning a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.
* Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
* Ability and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure contexts, including flexibility to work with incoming emergency response teams.
* Proficiency in relevant data collection and analysis software.
* Strong remote-working abilities and self-motivated.
* Willingness to travel to field sites.
* Proficient in speaking and writing English.

Desirable
* Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant region/context
* Experience of promoting quality and impact through at least one cross-cutting area: gender equality and inclusion, adaptive and safer programming; child rights; disability; migration and displacement.
* Experience and knowledge of Save the Children’s structure, mandate and child focus.

KEY COMPETENCIES
Technical competencies:
* Ensures linkages across portfolio ensuring quality and coherence of MEAL systems and evidence gathering
* Manages resources and capacities to develop and maintain quality MEAL systems
* Facilitates strategic alignment of data to global priorities

Generic Competencies
* Child Rights: Promotes an enabling environment for participation, and accountability to children
* Be the Innovator: Promotes innovation to find new and better approaches to driving progress for children
* Deliver Results at Scale: Promotes a clear focus on impact in project and programme design, management and oversight

The Organisation
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 realise 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 workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

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 POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES PLEASE CHECK THE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENCY IN IRAQ BEFORE APPLYING.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

*for those interested please request the full JD by reaching out