Head of Program Operations, South Ukraine

Job Description

ROLE PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Area Director, the Area Head of Program Operations will supervise and provide leadership for expanding, multi-sector program team. The Area Head of Program Operations is responsible for ensuring high quality implementation of a wide range of programming across a range of sectors and communities. Specific sectors include:

• Education
• Child Protection
• WASH
• Shelter / NFI
• Cash and Voucher Assistance
• Food Security and Livelihoods

The Area Head of Programs has delegated management responsibility for all above sectors within the area office with an overall programmatic budget of between 30-70 million.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Manage all program implementation in the respective area, oversight of project implementation plans, assess progress of implementation of activities against plans on monthly basis, and document the progress and action corrective measures as and when required. Take the lead in demonstrating practices for quality program implementation.
• Supervise and coordinate all implemented programs at field level;
• With the support of the program development and quality team, including MEAL and Technical Advisors, design and manage all programs in line with quality standards and guidelines and Save the Children policies and strategy;
• Line manage and support 7+ Program Managers;
• Facilitate the coordination within the organization at programs and support levels;
• Share responsibilities with Area Director for representation and discussions with key partners, coordination fora, local authorities etc.
• Promote synergies and ensure the overall coherence and relevance of multi-sectoral response;
• Ensure that all programs properly retain program learning for future programming and that all key lessons and information are documented;
• Ensure with the program managers that the capacity of national staff and team resilience, to changing context and subsequent changes in management arrangements, is built;
• Track budget spending and support the preparation of financial reports and the award review process
• Ensure that all projects have clear indicators aligned with Save the Children global standards, useful and accurate baseline data and staff friendly reporting formats.
• Ensure donor reporting, evaluation (including impact evaluation), and documentation.
• Ensure that country strategy and the annual country plans are implemented and reviewed in line with the regional and global strategies.
• Maintain clear overview of the security, political and legal context.
• Ensure appropriate participation of staff in program management and decision making and raise necessary issues at Senior Management Team meetings
• Represent Save the Children in inter agencies meetings and at Area and Oblast levels with government officials.
• Play a key role in partners’ capacity assessment and development for building national civil society.

Staff Management, Mentorship and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing within the team.
• Ensure that all team staff understand and are able to perform their roles in humanitarian programs.
• Manage team, define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
• Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process. Establish result-based system and follow up.
• Actively develop staff under the Area Head of Program’s line management, including carrying out succession planning for national staff into positions which are currently international.
• Manage the performance of all staff in the team through effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations.
• Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities.
• Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance.
• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• At least 5 years/substantial experience working with a humanitarian/ development organization, including at least 2 years of senior management experience.
• University degree in related academic discipline or equivalent work experience.
• Skills and experience in project/program implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the Child Rights Convention and international humanitarian rights standards.
• Substantial people and program management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Solid experience in grant management, including budget holding and donor reporting.
• Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.
• Ability to produce high quality reports in English.
• Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.

Desirable

• Schengen visa
• Language skills in Ukrainian or Russian
• Experience in Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine or post-soviet countries