Programme Manager

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Programme Manager will be based in Warsaw or Krakow, with regular travel to other field offices to oversee Save the Children’s programming in Poland. In addition to directly managing grants in these areas; the Programme Manager will be expected to lead on programme planning, oversight of programme implementation, recruitment and procurement. The Programme Manager will contribute to programme design and strategy as well as lead on grant reporting and contribute to proposal development when required. y

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY, working with the National Technical Coordinator:

Capacity Building and Staff Management:

• Support the Technical Advisers in developing capacity building plans for the team, Partners, Local Authorities, and facility staff.
• Provide day to day coaching on technical and programme management skills to the team and partners as well as support dissemination of capacity building to the team
• Work with Technical Advisors to identify learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff, partners and work as a mentor and role model.
• Ensure that the capacity building of the team is planned within budget parameters, as well as realistic within the implementation plans of the programme.

Programme Management:

• Overall responsible for the implementation of project activities ensuring that services are delivered on time, on budget and in compliance with donor regulations
• Provide technical guidance, in collaboration with the Technical Advisers, in all areas of programming, ensuring that implementation methods are consistent with acknowledged good practice and achieve sustainable results
• Ensure the programme is implemented in ways responsive to communities, partners and children in line with SC’s principles, values and strategic plan and compliant with SC’s procedures
• Ensure that the programme is implemented with regular liaison with local level stakeholders, and support the field team in the development of regular revisions to, and in compliance with, community agreements for implementation of the programme.
• Develop programme implementation plan including procurement and distribution schedules of programme inputs in line with programme logistics/supply chain capacity
• Ensure that staff have work-plans in place and follow up with team members and partners regularly to ensure that activities are on track
• Manage programme budget, including phased budgets, monthly budget forecasting and quarterly budget revisions for all grants
• Ensure proper and effective use of program resources, ensuring that all resources/assets in project are managed in line with SC and Donor policy
• Monitor programme progress against both programmatic, along with the Technical Advisors, and budgetary targets, adjusting programme implementation plans, as necessary.
• Prepare timely and high-quality programme and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal SC requirements and any relevant external donor requirements.

Needs Analysis and Program Design:

• Support the Technical Advisers with the design and planning required for assessments, baselines, and evaluations.
• Contribute to situation/response analysis, development of strategy documents and response plans as well as programme design, working with the field team to ensure design is appropriate and implementable.
• Where required, support the Technical Advisors to develop project and donor proposals in close coordination with logistics, finance and grants unit, and ensure participation of the field team, partners and beneficiaries, in proposal development
• Prior to proposal submission, identify implementation methodology (direct versus indirect) undertaking consultation with partners and initial partner proposal work
• Contribute to country level contingency plans and where possible, integrate contingency planning for in all program planning and proposal design.

Partner management

• Work with the Partnership team to identify appropriate partners for implementation of the response
• Work with the partners to develop their programme design and proposals, ensuring they align with SC strategy and grant design
• Ensure regular review of partner progress against the budget and work plan, and support partners to alter activities/strategies in light of context changes or operational challenges
• Review, with support of the Technical Advisors, partner narrative and financial reporting as well as MEAL data, in line with CO internal deadlines for MEAL
• Undertake ongoing capacity assessments of partner, reporting areas for development to and soliciting support from the Technical Advisors.
• Ensure program aligns with SCI values of responsible and ethical partnership

Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability

• Work with the Technical Advisors and MEAL team to develop M&E and indicator tracking plans for all grants, inputting into the development of additional M&E tools as necessary to monitor project progress
• With the Advisors and MEAL team, ensure appropriate, timely and accurate data collection at all Education staffing levels against agreed indicators to enable both internal and external reporting
• Work with MEAL team, Technical Advisors to identify and incorporate project suitable accountability mechanisms.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing within the operations component of the team, within budget parameters.
• Support the partners to ensure that all education field staff understand and are able to perform their role, identifying areas of development as noted earlier

Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning:

• Ensure that all project Infrastructure needs are supported by appropriate TAs from members to ensure the timely delivery of construction and rehabilitation works for Education program facilities according to the CPMS Minimum Standards.

• Work together with all Programme Managers to ensure that programmes are aligned and connected, in collaboration with the Advisors, and ensuring needs for children are integrated, mainstreamed and considered in all program interventions.

• Work with other sectors and agencies to strengthen referral systems

• Regularly coordinate and collaborate with all other program managers and program team to support high quality inter-sectoral programming and strengthen programmatic synergies and impact for children

• Represent SC in relevant meetings and working groups

• Support representation needs as required by Technical Advisors.

General

• 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.

COMPETENCIES FOR THIS ROLE:

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results together with children 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
• Creates a managerial environment in-country to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self and team, takes responsibility for own personal development and encourages team to do the same
• Widely shares personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners
• 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
• Always acts in the best interests of children

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES:

Required

• A Master’s degree in Studies, International Development Studies, or in a relevant subject, or a BA with equivalent field experience
• At least 3 years of programme management experience
• Proven capacity to supervise, and coach staff
• Experience of, and commitment to, working through systems of community and child participation and accountability
• Specific experience of managing major donor projects and understanding of donor compliance
• Experience in effectively managing large budgets (> 2 m USD).
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• A team player who is able to work collaboratively and with people of diverse backgrounds
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• A high level of written and spoken English
• Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
• Experience in capacity building and training of local communities, and stakeholders regarding education in emergency programming.
• Experience working and building the capacity of partners on technical issues

Desirable

• Language skills in Polish highly desirable
• Previous experience of managing a team at a national level is highly desirable
• Experience of remotely managing programmes in complex settings
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts
• Experience in any of the relevant fields, such as community-based Education, Protection, wellbeing and psychosocial support programmes.
• Experience in representing an organisation in the coordination mechanism.
• Polish nationals are highly encouraged to apply

In the case of a Category 1 and Category 2 response, the candidate must reflect the experience and qualifications of a Grade 2. This must include the following proven behaviour/experience:

• Demonstrate leadership and management skills in a complex international setting.

Previous experience as member of Senior Management Team.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. This Role is offered on the basis of International terms and conditions. Also, interviews will be held on ongoing basis, adverts will be closed once a person is identified.

For non- EU citizens; Visa is to be obtained.

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 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

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.