Senior Programme Lead at mothers2mothers

The Senior Programme Lead DPTS a core member of the Department of Programmes and Technical Support (DPTS) with primary responsibility for technical oversight of the implementation of [relevant technical area] programmes across all countries of implementation, working closely with all functional units of the organisation, including Programmes, Research & Strategic Information (RSI), Country Management Unit (CMU), Business Development (BD), Resource Mobilisation, Communications, Finance, HR, Grants & Compliance. The position reports to the Director of DPTS and is based at the m2m Head Office, with regular local and international travel. All STA’s position report into the SPL.

Working collaboratively with m2m Head Office and country-based staff, the Senior Programme Lead DPTS will provide technical guidance and oversight of the [relevant technical area] programmes and ensure their continued roll-out and refinement. Senior Programme Lead DPTS will work with colleagues to contribute to quality assurance and programme development, facilitate learning and internal capacity building across programme staff, and expand the implementation of m2m’s [relevant technical area] interventions in line with m2m’s overall programme strategy. The position will provide strategic and management support to the Country Leads and in-country programme staff.

Key Performance Areas:

Programme Design and Innovation

• Provide technical oversight and approval of the development and roll-out of effective [relevant technical area] interventions
• Lead programme innovation, including adaptation of evidence- and/or science-based approaches, on [relevant technical area] at Head Office and country level
• Lead the development of concept notes for new interventions developed to enhance the outputs of on-going projects/programmes
• Lead conceptualization of m2m peer-to-peer approaches and advising on innovative programmatic strategies such as HIISP, case management, technical assistance approaches
• Oversee the development/refinement of implementation strategies at project start-up
• Lead planning, implementation and rollout of new [relevant technical area] programme areas
• Advise on strategic realignment of m2m Peer Mentors for efficiency
• Provide thought leadership in defining m2m’s peer model in various contexts
• Lead the technical review and refinement of scope of work for projects and or interventions and make recommendations for technical improvement as and when needed along m2m’s programme design and development cycle
• Identify project successes, challenges, lessons learnt and make recommendations for technical and innovation scale-up where necessary; document for internal use and external audiences.
• Engage in high-level donor meetings and consultations.
• Advise on development and finalisation of communications materials and organisational collateral, including talking points and preparation for external presentations and representation

Technical Capacity Building and QA/QI

• Provide technical oversight to the development of effective [relevant technical area] interventions/projects
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and capacity building on [relevant technical area] issues.
• Lead quality assurance and oversee Programme Unit staff support on m2m [relevant technical area] tools and materials developed by country programmes.
• Provide technical guidance to Country Leads and Programme Leads (Country Directors, Project Directors, Country Representatives, Chiefs of Party, Senior Program Managers, Senior Technical Advisors) to ensure:
• Efficient and effective technical leadership at the country level that exemplifies the m2m model and philosophy;
• Effective setting of programme and project goals and targets;
• Development and enforcement of realistic intervention plans, in line with m2m strategic priorities
• Technical leadership for development of [relevant technical area] programmes in m2m start-up countries.
• Maintain [relevant technical area] knowledge and awareness of developments in the field globally and regionally in order to give up to date technical support and provide guidance on best practices in the field.
• Lead review and validation of technical documents, training materials and policy briefs to meet national and U.S. government guidelines, as well as international standards.
• Lead internal knowledge management of latest [relevant technical area] developments, publications, research studies and other information being undertaken both in Africa and globally.
• Form and facilitate effective ECD/OVC learning platforms and support networks to enhance knowledge sharing and learning among country technical teams for delivery of quality programmes
• Contribute to operations research and evaluations
• Contribute to recruitment of senior country-level technical staff.
• Participate in professional meetings, as appropriate.
• Participate in professional continuing education and skills training, as appropriate.

Business Development

• Lead technical development of concept notes and proposals for funding of new projects/initiatives in conjunction with Country Leads, CMU, BD and Resource Mobilisation; serve as technical lead of proposal design team, to ensure strategic efficacy and technical fidelity.
• Advise countries on funding concept notes and proposals submitted by them, to improve technical quality of technical strategy and content**
• Identify evidence-based innovative concepts for seed funding, including reviewing for alignment with global best practices, cost effectiveness, and likelihood of scale-up.
• Work with BD/Resource Mobilisation teams to identify [relevant technical area] funding opportunities
• Lead technical direction of the development of strategic [relevant technical area] communication tools

Organizational and Operational Advisory Role, Initiatives and Line Management

• With other STAs, co-lead development of and make strategic presentations of Routine Evaluation results, annually or as relevant, working closely with RSI and Programme Unit.
• Provide technical input into organisational strategic plan development and implementation
• Advise country leads on decision making related to technical quality, fidelity and innovation
• Lead technical strategy for new m2m countries, in collaboration with SMT, BD, and CMU
• Lead and participate in cross-cutting organizational projects (Annual Meetings, Technical Summits, Workshops and Retreats, Board Meetings, Project BIO forums, etc.)
• Manage delegated DPTS staff to ensure effective and productive contributions to DPTS work
• Represent m2m’s [relevant technical area] expertise by attending/contributing to international/ local conferences and/or technical meetings, and contributing to identified training opportunities
• At the discretion of the CEO and Director of DPTS, represent m2m in external fora.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Science, or related field.
• Minimum ten years’ years’ of progressively responsible, professional-level experience on [relevant technical area] issues with at least three to five years’ experience in international or resource-challenged settings.
• Expert understanding of project lifecycle and programme development and implementation.
• Demonstrated technical experience in planning, managing, monitoring and advising on [relevant technical area].
• Experience with U.S. Government-funded programmes, preferred; experience with multilateral and bilateral donors expected.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and a strong research or programme development background in [relevant technical area], with demonstrated ability to transfer technical knowledge and skills and transform attitudes to improve the quality of [relevant technical area] services.
• Demonstrated experience in programme design and management, including innovation and project management in resource limited settings, with strong conceptualization skills; ability to think creatively and systematically at all project and programme levels (goal, objectives, activities, inputs).
• Ability to organise, analyse, interpret and utilise technical studies, programme performance data, and other available quantitative and qualitative [relevant technical area] information.
• Successful track record of managing individuals, including senior staff, leading diverse teams, and implementing human resource processes as a manager.
• Demonstrated experience with new project technical start-up at country level; managing technical planning processes; managing complex stakeholder processes, and ability to provide clear communication around those processes.
• Excellent writing skills including detailed technical reports, policy briefs, proposals, and other documents of substantial length and complexity with minimal errors.
• Experience working with diverse groups of stakeholders such as government, local and international NGOs and donors, and proven track record in such relationships and serving as key contact with external strategic partners.
• Strong initiative, self-motivated, self-starter, and an innovative thinker who is intellectually curious and has demonstrated “outside-the-box” thinking.
• Strategic thinker, with excellent analytical, problem-solving skills and research skills.
• Demonstrated experience in making complex decisions in a matrixed environment across multiple technical and functional areas.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership for high-level projects, manage a large and varied workload and multiple key strategic priorities under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• High level of computer literacy.
• Well-developed interpersonal management and communication skills, including the ability to handle sensitive issues diplomatically.
• Ability to work in both large and small team structures, in a participatory and consensus-oriented environment, as well as on a peer-to-peer basis.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration and coordination with a diverse group of stakeholders in a dynamic, complex and rapidly changing environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to effectively engage participants of different cultures and backgrounds.
• · Willingness to travel.
• ·In-country experience in Africa, required

mothers2mothers is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly encourage applications from people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), people with disabilities, women and previously disadvantaged people. Competitive salary packages will be negotiable in accordance with m2m’s remuneration policies.

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