Head of Programme – Health (For Myanmar Nationals Only) At Save the Children

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Project Delivery and Quality

• Ensure that Programme and Project Manager(s) and their teams implement projects in line with project plans and budgets and work with the Managers and their teams to innovate and be responsive to changing internal and external factors.
• Ensure that Programme and Project Manager(s) and their teams constantly review the relevance, efficiency and quality of the programs and projects delivered and rapidly adapt the scope, approach, target and if needed the outcomes of the projects to cover priority humanitarian needs in or near the project area of intervention. Support project teams to shift priorities, adapt ways of working and directly engage in any humanitarian response in the area.
• Develop, adapt, apply and monitor program management tools including quality benchmarks to ensure quality and timely implementation.
• Maintain an overview of project and sector budgets and together with Programme and Project Manager(s) develop timely solutions to project’s under and over spends in line with Save the Children Member and donor requirements.
• Develop program budgets for proposals and provide budget forecasts/phasing for on-going programs, in close coordination with different department such as supply chain, awards and partnership and finance departments;
• Conduct frequent review and coordination meetings with Awards, Finance and Operations departments to assess progresses and issues and identify ways forward for quality and on-time implementation.
• Coordinate baselines, internal and external evaluations to ensure timely deliverable of quality work products to inform programme quality improvements/adaptation, in close coordination with MEAL department
• Together with the Technical Lead and other Advisors, ensure teams access adequate technical support to deliver high quality projects and support the establishment of innovative and collaborative working approaches to ensure continual learning and programme and operational improvement.
• Support field teams in identifying and supporting civil society partners including: partner assessments/risk analysis, capacity building, planning and technical support.

Team Management and Development

• Direct management of one Program Manager and one Pharmacy Coordinator (who manages one Pharmacy Officer) based in Yangon CO;
• Technical line management of Programme and Project Managers based in field offices;
• Under the management of the DDPO, lead and manage the programme team, ensure the recruitment, training and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities;
• Ensure programs and structures align with Save the Children’s approach on empowering area and field teams for greater decision making at area and project level: program management structures at area level and close to the project site, limited layers of management, smooth communication and close coordination with HAOs and APMs.
• Ensure effective collaboration and coordination between Programme and Project Manager(s), and operational managers in the field and react quickly and decisively to bring any internal team challenges and problems to a swift and satisfactory resolution;
• Ensure that the sector program team proactively builds and maintains technical skills and competencies required for leading and developing first class programmes;
• Ensure the effective use of the Develop to Perform system including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations
• Ensure the documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, develop appropriate performance improvements/ work plans and take appropriate performance management actions in line with country programme/SCI policy.
• Responsibility to create and maintain a managerial and operational environment where the Child Safeguarding Policy is effectively implemented.
• Ensure that staff are providing all program beneficiaries with age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

Project Delivery and Quality

• Ensure that Programme and Project Manager(s) and their teams implement projects in line with project plans and budgets and work with the Managers and their teams to innovate and be responsive to changing internal and external factors.
• Ensure that Programme and Project Manager(s) and their teams constantly review the relevance, efficiency and quality of the programs and projects delivered and rapidly adapt the scope, approach, target and if needed the outcomes of the projects to cover priority humanitarian needs in or near the project area of intervention. Support project teams to shift priorities, adapt ways of working and directly engage in any humanitarian response in the area.
• Develop, adapt, apply and monitor program management tools including quality benchmarks to ensure quality and timely implementation.
• Maintain an overview of project and sector budgets and together with Programme and Project Manager(s) develop timely solutions to project’s under and over spends in line with Save the Children Member and donor requirements.
• Develop program budgets for proposals and provide budget forecasts/phasing for on-going programs, in close coordination with different department such as supply chain, awards and partnership and finance departments;
• Conduct frequent review and coordination meetings with Awards, Finance and Operations departments to assess progresses and issues and identify ways forward for quality and on-time implementation.
• Coordinate baselines, internal and external evaluations to ensure timely deliverable of quality work products to inform programme quality improvements/adaptation, in close coordination with MEAL department
• Together with the Technical Lead and other Advisors, ensure teams access adequate technical support to deliver high quality projects and support the establishment of innovative and collaborative working approaches to ensure continual learning and programme and operational improvement.
• Support field teams in identifying and supporting civil society partners including: partner assessments/risk analysis, capacity building, planning and technical support.

Team Management and Development

• Direct management of one Program Manager and one Pharmacy Coordinator (who manages one Pharmacy Officer) based in Yangon CO;
• Technical line management of Programme and Project Managers based in field offices;
• Under the management of the DDPO, lead and manage the programme team, ensure the recruitment, training and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities;
• Ensure programs and structures align with Save the Children’s approach on empowering area and field teams for greater decision making at area and project level: program management structures at area level and close to the project site, limited layers of management, smooth communication and close coordination with HAOs and APMs.
• Ensure effective collaboration and coordination between Programme and Project Manager(s), and operational managers in the field and react quickly and decisively to bring any internal team challenges and problems to a swift and satisfactory resolution;
• Ensure that the sector program team proactively builds and maintains technical skills and competencies required for leading and developing first class programmes;
• Ensure the effective use of the Develop to Perform system including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations
• Ensure the documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, develop appropriate performance improvements/ work plans and take appropriate performance management actions in line with country programme/SCI policy.
• Responsibility to create and maintain a managerial and operational environment where the Child Safeguarding Policy is effectively implemented.
• Ensure that staff are providing all program beneficiaries with age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

Leadership and Representation

• Ensure the implementation of a high-quality programme through integration, expansion and growth of existing projects and strengthening links across sectors;
• Together with DDPO and Technical Lead and Advisors, engage with Save the Children Members as needed to ensure that projects are aligned with country programme strategies and plans and effectively support increasing children’s access to their rights in Myanmar.
• When necessary and under the guidance of the DDPO and Technical Lead, represent Save the Children at national and international events.
• Together with the Technical Lead, DDPO and Advisors from other sectors, proactively engage in national forums and activities and build a network of support with a range of stakeholders including international and national NGOs, UN agencies, donors, etc. and mobilize their support for effective implementation and wider sector programming.

Programme Growth and Learning

• Under the guidance of the Technical Lead and DDPO, ensure project learning informs programme strategies and implementation and contributes to advocacy actions and initiatives and supports the development of key documents within the Save the Children MEAL system (Country Annual Plan, Country Strategy Paper, Programme Quality Key Performance Indicator Reports, Country Learning Agenda, Total Reach, Advocacy Measurement Tool and Country Annual Report)
• Coordinate with MEAL and Technical Lead to ensure that projects have detailed MEAL plans, linked to the programme wide MEAL system and that project knowledge and learning feeds into project and programme designs
• Together with MEAL team, ensure the programmes have fully functional accountability mechanism and information is analysed to inform programme adaptation and risk mitigations
• Ensure quality benchmarks are successfully rolled-out and implemented in all projects and that ongoing analysis informs programme adaptations and quality improvement.
• Discuss quality (i.e., Quality benchmarks) and performance monitoring (i.e., IPTT analysis) findings before and during program coordination/review meetings, regular monitoring visits, review MEAL reports to highlight key project strengths and areas of improvement, and use learning from monitoring reports for project planning and implementation
• In coordination with other Technical Leads, Heads of Programmes, Program Advisors and Partners establish and participate in cross-departmental teams in developing high quality proposals.
• Together with the Technical Lead and DDPO, ensure coordination, communication and liaison with key stakeholders including: UN agencies, international and national NGOs, partners and other relevant civil society organisations, etc.
• Contribute to regional and global information sharing and learning
• Ensure that project reports are of a high quality and produced on time in line with agreed deadlines
• Maintain an overview of long and short-term emergency risks and hazards in Myanmar and support emergency preparedness planning

Person specifications

Skills and Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in development or humanitarian programming focused on the health sector including at least 5 years of managerial experience or 5 years in management position.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing more than one development/humanitarian project.
• Work experience in and deep understanding of the Myanmar context required.

Education:

• Post-Graduate Degree in Public Health or Management [or]
• An experienced medical doctor with more than 7 years of public health program management without a master’s degree will be considered.

Communication and Technical Skills

• Excellent personal coordination and organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to negotiate among diverse and complex internal and external actors and stakeholders
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and think and plan strategically
• Willingness to travel to field offices and work in difficult environments according to travel requirements
• Demonstrated experience building a strong and effective team including members of diverse technical areas, skill levels and backgrounds
• Hands on skills in programme planning, monitoring, accountability, evaluation and learning systems (MEAL), project development and report writing
• An in-depth understanding of national and international development and humanitarian issues related to health.
• Experience and ability to analyse health information, evaluate health options and think and plan strategically
• Excellent English and Myanmar communication skills, both written and verbal

Management:

• Excellent people management skills/experience and proven ability to create an environment which encourages team-work and motivates a team across various geographical areas
• Proven experience in effective programme planning and strategic management, project development and report writing
• Experience managing complex, cross-sectoral programmes
• Experience and demonstrated strong knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and of managing large grants
• Results focused and ability to develop and drive innovative programmatic and operational solutions

General:

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation developing effective working relationships to deliver outstanding results for children
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
• Willingness and capability to comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to health and safety, security, equal opportunities and other relevant policies, including the Child Safeguarding Policy
• Hands on skills in programme planning, monitoring, accountability, evaluation and learning systems (MEAL), project development and report writing.