Head of Program and Partnerships (HoPP) At Development Aid

Job Title: Head of Program and Partnerships (HoPP)
Location: Tunisia or Morocco (on sight, remote work not possible)
Contract duration: 1-year national contract with a possibility of renewal
Reporting to: North Africa sub-region Director
Directly reporting positions to HoPP: The Programme and Policy Leads and Programme Quality Coordinator

DRS is looking, on behalf of our client, an INGO, for a Head of Program and Partnerships (HoPP) who oversees coordination and coherence across program pillars, further develops and ensures implementation of partnership strategy across the NA subregion and strengthens organizations’ influencing approach in all programs. This role will also ensure that programme quality standards are applied across the programs, including gender analysis, gender mainstreaming and safe programming. The HoP is line managed by the NA Director and key member of the NA senior management team (SMT), which leads the NA strategic direction, guards organization policies and compliance, and provides all support needed to staff and partners.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Strategy and Institutional Responsibilities

• Together with the NA Director lead on the strategic direction of NA, ensure the organization’s development programmes in NA are coherent and aligned with sub-regional and global strategies with a clear focus on organization’s added value in the sub-region.
• Contribute to the strategic discussions in the MENA region and enhance cross-regional dynamics.
• Lead engagement with Partner Affiliates and OI stakeholders in support of developing, resourcing and quality implementation of the organization’s sub-regional strategies.
• In close coordination with the NA Director and with the Funding and Compliance Lead, foster co-operation between organization affiliates, actively seek and participate in fundraising initiatives, and negotiate funding opportunities for NA programs.
• Actively engage in discussions with partners and other stakeholders on fostering external funding opportunities and provide strategic advice programmatically to support external and internal resource mobilisation.
• Coordinate and/or actively participate in the design and oversight of programmes, ensuring accountability of relevant stakeholders and/or providing thematic function support to the effective delivery of sub-regional or MCPs.
• Manage and support the preparation of high-quality reports/ program documentation/ learning and support its dissemination among key stakeholders in projects and programs, including other organization countries, community and peer organizations, government agencies, universities, development organizations, donors, and the larger public.
• Ensure adherence and compliance of the NA programmes to agreed organization policies and management standards.
• In coordination with other SMT members, work closely with and support the NA Director by conducting regular risk analysis and reviews, apply safe programming and ensure partners and staff safety in all areas of work.

Partnership

• In close coordination with thematic and program leads, proactively build relationships with external stakeholders and allies at the sub-regional level, including donors, government representatives and other civil society organizations, and academia, to increase partnership and influence.
• Lead and guide the further advancement of the partnership strategy and implementation in NA in close collaboration with thematic Leads, Program Managers, the Influencing team and others.
• Ensure the establishment of NA strategic relationships and strengthening coalitions and networks, across NA countries and within each of them, based on organization partnership principles and best practices.
• Oversee and/or promote linkages and shared learning between counterparts and key stakeholders.
• for effective planning and delivery of quality programming as well as in providing sound monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability

Program Quality Assurance and MEAL – planning, delivery and reporting

• In close coordination with Programme and Policy Leads and Programme Quality Coordinator, ensure and be accountable for the quality design, implementation, management and monitoring of the organization program in the NA sub-region. This includes accomplishing program and project objectives, monitoring and reporting the progress of the NA strategy and annual plan.
• Oversee and ensure programme quality is part and parcel of NA programmes, including M&E frameworks, data and information collection for programme monitoring, reporting, donor engagement and learning, across programmes (including influencing) and teams and facilitates accountability to stakeholders.
• Ensure that the program team works closely and inclusively with partners in countries or regional organisations, develops and delivers quality programs.
• Oversee and monitor the sub-region programs’ budget and expenditures in close coordination with the NA Program and Policy Leads and NA Finance and Operations Manager.

Leadership, Management & Coordination

• Promote and facilitate exchange and learning across NA teams, programs and countries, as well as among community and peer organisations, government agencies, universities, development organisations, donors and the larger public (as relevant).
• As a member of the NA SMT, provide inputs and priorities for reflection and decision-making.
• Promote and shape the One Organization culture by facilitating spaces of participation and contribution across the various programs and support functions.
• As needed and by a delegation from the NA Director, represent the organization in relevant fora and meetings with donors, partners or other stakeholders to promote and increase the organisation’s strategic positioning.
• Manage, monitor and mentor the NA Program & Partnership team through day-to-day line management, hosting regular team meetings as well as one-to-one meetings with the various members.
• Responsible for the program team’s HR issues and concerns; team building, staff coaching and development, and performance review and assessment.
• Manage and facilitate the recruitment and selection processes of the NA program staff.
• Ensure and facilitate linkages, exchanges and shared learnings amongst and between the team members based in different countries and managing a diverse range of programmes, with the partners and within the organization.
• Financial management in line with the organization’s policies and principles of delegation of authority.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• A Master’s degree level or equivalent experience in development, social science, or other relevant fields.
• At least 15 years of experience in development organization/s as a progressively responsible professional working experience, especially in the area of program design, implementation, management, M&E Framework design and implementation; working with learning initiatives.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of the North of Africa sub-region and experience in working in countries in transition as well as significant knowledge of the thematic areas of work of the organization.
• Strong abilities to address gender issues, women’s rights, and safe programming principles in designing and delivering programs and influencing work.
• Experience in representing an organization at a senior level to civil society organizations, government, donors, the private sector and media.
• Solid experience in building teams, managing, mentoring and monitoring multi-national staff and building good and healthy working relations and environment/s.
• Experience in leading and managing complex organizational structures and multi-country programming.
• Strong experience in building relations with CSOs, government and research institutions.
• Strong skills in professional writing, facilitation, communication, data management and analysis, knowledge management, research and development, and M&E.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, Arabic and French.
• Experience in developing, designing and writing complex initiatives, programmes and projects.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills, particularly in cross-cultural contexts.

Competencies:

• Solid analytical, risk management, reporting, and planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, particularly in cross-cultural contexts, and a high capacity for negotiation.

Desirable:

• Proven working experience in and knowledge of the North of Africa (Desirable)