Head of Programmes (Yemen) At READ Foundation

Job Description & Person Specification

Head of Programmes (Yemen)

Salary: £2,500 – £3,000 p/m
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location: Aden-Yemen

Reports to: Country director

Closing Date: 15th December 2023

About READ Foundation

READ foundation is an International Non-profit organisation, registered in the UK in 1994, with the aim of contributing to educational development for affected populations. READ Foundation- Yemen (RFY) established its operations in Yemen in July 2020. Since its establishment, RFY has assisted the affected population with lifesaving interventions in different governorates.

Summary of role

The Head of Programmes is responsible for overall leadership of the programmes implemented in Yemen, including technical design, development, administration and implementation of the RFY portfolio in Yemen. He/she will lead the programmes team and have management responsibilities, coordinate support within the country and in our UK based office providing technical and policy leadership as well as program guidance. The post holder will be responsible for senior-level liaison with government institutions and national and international partners, UN agencies and networking and alliance building, and resource mobilisation.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Yemen programmes including leading on the development of complementary program concepts within Education, Food security & livelihoods, Protection and Health programs.
• Provide senior level leadership to the programmes team for an integrated approach to achieve the results as defined in the program agreements, while maintaining excellence and accountability to beneficiary population and the donors.
• PM is responsible for the overall implementation of the programme in Yemen. This involves contributing to program design, and then planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring and reporting on all programme activities.
• The role holder will have an overall program budget responsibility by ensuring good program financial management.
• Taking the lead in coordinating high-quality and timely donor narrative reports. This includes reviewing narrative reports, maintaining donor reporting schedules, and submitting reports to donors.
• Ensure that programmes are safe and that the child safeguarding policy and SOPs are implemented across programmes.

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Work with the Country Director and Programme Coordinator to articulate the country’s program vision and ensure it is aligned with the overall country strategy.
• Provide strategic leadership and vision to attain programme goals and objectives through the development, implementation, reviews and management of all aspects of this large programme.
• Input and lead discussion of programme priorities and explore new programme/ business opportunities with the wider SMT and Country Director.
• Ensure timely delivery of project reports, weekly /monthly reports, meeting reports, and donors reports to the Country Director.
• Lead the entire proposal development process, in coordination and alignment with various departments and team members.
• Develop and lead the PD team in developing innovative and high-quality concepts/proposals.
• Identify funding opportunities relevant to RFY thematic areas of work from institutional donor agencies and others.
• Develops strategic partnerships with international and national stakeholders to provide funding and financing opportunities.
• Participate in Senior Management Team (SMT) meetings

Team Management

• Line manage the programmes teams which are responsible for the development and implementation of the projects and ensuring the quality of programme delivery.
• Conduct regular meetings with the programmes teams at all levels for monitoring progress and providing technical leadership and guidance to programmes staff.
• Conduct appraisals and feedback for direct reports; team development and discuss career perspectives.
• Promptly report serious issues of concern among the team to the Country Directory for support.
• Prepare terms of reference for programme implementation staff and casual workers in coordination with HR.

Implementation and Coordination

• Assist the Country Director in developing the annual operations plan and in developing fund raising and advocacy strategies.
• Take the lead in related advocacy initiatives.
• Mobilise support of government, NGO, and community stakeholders.
• Provide quality assurance and quality control of RFY Yemen interventions in close coordination with M&E.
• Maintain effective communication with all the stakeholders.

Budget management

• Provide approval authority, as per RFY national authority delegation levels; formally assigned by the Country Director.
• Provide close oversight of program budgets, forecasts and expenditures, ensuring grants are closely monitored and budget holders are held accountable, in collaboration with the Finance Department.
• Work with the Finance Department to ensure effective financial and budgetary control of programs, according to organisational requirements and donor contracts.
• Participate in the recruitment of competent and professional candidates fulfilling the specific requirements of each program.
• Ensure mentoring and coaching for better performance is undertaken for direct reports.

READ Foundation’s Values

• We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:
• Inclusiveness
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Sustainability
• Agility
• Innovation

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.

Person Specification

Knowledge:

• A University degree in social science, social development, psychology or related field
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of Education related activities or Child and/or Social Protection, and Youth programming in (post) conflict areas (recommended)
• Thorough knowledge and experience of the practical application of child safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in programming in complex environments.
• Excellent leadership and programme management skills are required for this role, especially in the areas of planning and team management, budget management and compliance.
• Strong knowledge on Project Cycle Management
• Understanding of M&E tools and evaluation
• Specific knowledge on Education in Emergency (EiE) programming and Child Safeguarding.
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Experience

• Minimum 5 years with INGO work, preferably with Education or Child protection (though we will consider someone who has general programme management skills).
• Minimum 2 years’ demonstrated programme management experience at a similar scale/level of responsibility
• Strong English and Arabic language skills (written and spoken)

Skills

• Strong critical analysis and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong Reports and proposals writing skills
• Leadership and coordination ability.
• Excellent representation and communication skills; ability to give and receive feedback.
• Affinity with children and young people.
• Results – oriented
• Familiarity with creative methodologies.
• Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to diversity. Culturally sensitive.
• Fluency in English (both written and oral) and Arabic.
• Work well in small team, flexible to take on new tasks, comfortable in a flexible working environment and able to work independently.
• These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

Desirable

• Experience with a recognised international NGO will be an added advantage.