Job Purpose:
The Programme Director is responsible for providing leadership of Concern Worldwide’s development programme in Ethiopia. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) s/he will contribute to the management of the country programme with specific responsibility for managing and coordinating development programme, program quality and the delivery of results in relation to Concern Ethiopia’s country strategic plan and programme strategies.
Main duties & Responsibilities:
Senior Management:
Assist the CD in the management of the country programme (CP) through close and consistent involvement in the decision making processes at the highest level
Participate actively as a member of the SMT and the wider country management team
Overall responsibility for the Food Security, Livelihoods and Education programmes, monitoring, evaluation and learning, Grants & business development, in close collaboration with the CD
Contribute to the elaboration and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP)
Within the relevant sectors, ensure that all programmes are planned, designed, managed and implemented effectively and efficiently in conformity with Concern’s policies, strategies, programme frameworks and CSP
Institutional Fundraising:
Based on the Country Strategic Plan, support the CD, PD Emergency and the Grants unit to develop and implement a business development plan for the country programme
Liaise with main institutional donors in-country with the support of the Concern Worldwide Business Development Unit
Coordinate and lead on the development and elaboration of programme proposals for donors
Researching and analysing donor funding priorities as well as keeping informed on available funding opportunities in the various sectors and geographical areas of Concern’s programming in Ethiopia.
Formulation of short, medium and long term funding strategy for programmes in consultation with the Senior Management Team and headquarters.
Ensuring submission of high quality proposals to meet the funding requirements of development programmes
Programme Management
Ensure that all programme implementation is guided by result based management principles and have effective planning and implementation review processes in place.
Line manage programme managers ensuring performance objectives are aligned to programme delivery.
Lead on resource planning for development programmes including assisting in HR planning, recruitment and staff development.
Coordinate the programme activities across programmes, sectors and approaches; coaching staff and ensuring complementary approaches.
Manage budgets and resources in line with organisational procedures; this includes, preparation of programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff and tracking programme expenditure through monthly management and quarterly financial review.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Ensure programme M&E system is in line with organisational guidelines and programme design.
Provide management oversight for the Concern M&E function in Ethiopia.
Undertake regular monitoring visits to programme areas and provide feedback to programme staff and management.
Lead on the attaintment of Strategic Objective 4. Implement Learning Working Groups. Identify areas of learning and good practice, sharing with internal and external stakeholders.
Donor and Grant Management
Track programme implementation progress, programme context and provide regular updates to Country Director and SMT.
Coordinate with programme managers, finance and support departments to ensure timely grant utilisation and compliance with donor requirements.
Develop an annual reporting calendar for development programmes and lead in ensuring that good quality reports are submitted in line with donor requirements.
Financial Management
With the Programme Coordinator, review the budget monitoring tool (BMT) on a monthly basis, advise on corrective action relating to underspends and overspend and ensure that accurate forecasting is completed by the PC advise the CD and the finance department of any variances and recommend solutions
Mentor and assist budget holders in the development of accurate budgets during project proposal development
Ensure that detailed programme budgets and budget revisions are prepared and submitted by the Programme Coordinator in a timely manner
Ensure that PCs identify and notify SMT when a cost and a no cost extension is required for any programme and that appropriate timely action is undertaken
Report any suspected and actual financial irregularities or other fraud that has occurred to the Country
Accountant and CD and recommend solutions to the identified irregularities
Comply with authorization levels for expenditure and ensure that all programme staff do likewise
HR
In collaboration with the HR department and by coaching, mentoring and supporting the PCs the PD will:
Ensure sufficient human resources for the relevant programmes to meet their objectives
Work with directly reporting staff by coaching, training and mentoring to ensure development of their management skills
Monitor performance based on agreed job descriptions and ensure compliance with agreed objectives and all Concern policies
Ensure the effective implementation of the performance development system within the relevant programme teams
When necessary, assist with the recruitment, management of disciplinary and grievances issues and the dismissal of staff
Security:
In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, monitor and if necessary report on security issues to the Security Focal Person
Ensure programme staff awareness and adherence to the Country Security Management Plan and in conjunction with the PCs, identify security training needs as they arise
Systems:
Ensure the development and timely implementation and review of procurement plans for all grants
Ensure strong communication takes place between programmes teams and the systems department
Ensure that all programme teams are compliant with Concern and donor procurement policies and procedures
In conjunction with the systems director where necessary, monitor and authorize contracts prepared with contractors
In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, ensure that all goods, services and money are procured using the correct documentation and codes and if necessary ensure training from the relevant systems support department
In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, monitor the storage, distribution and use of all goods allocated to the programme and ensure that any variances are reported to the Logs Manager or the Systems Director as appropriate
Accountability and Protection
Ensure that Concern Ethiopia complies with the Core Humanitarian Standards as per Concern’s CHS certification and oversee the review and implementation of an annual CHS action plan
Ensure that robust complaints response mechanisms are in place in all programmes and that they are developed and implemented with strong community level engagement
Emergency response Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the Ethiopia Programme is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.
Gender Equity As the SMT lead for gender equality, lead on the effective implementation of the gender equality strategy and the CSP gender equality goal and develop an accompanying action plan with indicators
Submit a gender equality progress report to SMT on a quarterly basis
Liaise with SAL Equality Advisor and ensure sufficient technical support for Concern Ethiopia
Ensure that gender equality is successfully mainstreamed into all programmes from design to evaluation stage
Ensure that all proposals include a strong gender sensitive programme design and that all reports provide quality progress information on gender mainstreaming
Ensure that gender mainstreaming is adequately budgeted for in all proposal developments
Education & Experience Required:
Essentials:
Education:
Relevant Third level qualification (agriculture, social science, anthropology, gender studies, public health, nutrition, rural development etc.)
Masters in relevant discipline
Experience:
ten or more years’ experience working with an international NGO.
Management and motivation of multi-sectoral teams engaged in complex operational environments
A good track record in management/leadership
Proven track record in proposal and report writing
Relevant Experience in humanitarian response programmes at management level
Relevant experience in integrated development programming at management level
Strong budget management experience
Competencies:
Desirable:
Overseas experience
Knowledge of development issues & concepts
Experience of working in an insecure environment
Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:
A strong commitment and understanding of the need to advance gender equality at the organisational level and within Concern’s programmes is essential for this role, as is the ability to act as a Gender Champion and lead in the implementation of organisational goals relating to gender equality
Empathy with organisational goals
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Flexibility, adaptability, and patience with facilitation and interpersonal skills
Ability to surface and analyse problems and recommend solutions
Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines
Methodical and thorough in approach
Training, coaching and mentoring skills and ability to motivate and develop skills of others
Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences
What we offer
A competitive salary and benefit package
Excellent medical benefits (100% cover including dependents)
20 days annual leave
26 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 18 weeks (unpaid) parental leave
GPA & life insurance cover