Bilingual Senior Program Manager At Save the Children

Save the Children Canada is a member of Save the Children International, a federation that works in more than 120 countries worldwide delivering programs focused on health and nutrition, education, child protection, child poverty, humanitarian response, and child rights governance. As the world’s leading independent organization for children, Save the Children’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. We live our values every day– Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. The primary responsibilities of Bilingual Senior Program Manager (SPM) include providing overall award management leadership, consortium coordination and general strategic direction to THRIVE project. THRIVE is a large scale SRHR consortium that support the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health (SRH)-related human rights by the most marginalized and vulnerable rights-holders, particularly women and adolescent girls, in Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone. The position of SPM will assure an integrated vision among different components and actors, countries for THRIVE project and ensuring program performance, achievement of program requirements and adherence to donor regulations. The SPM is expected to travel internationally, including of travel to fragile contexts.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

· Effectively manage partnerships between the different parties of the consortium to ensure smooth collaboration and open/transparent communication

· Convene and chair regular (e.g. monthly, quarterly) consortium steering committee meetings, Project Meetings to discuss project and financial issues, disseminate minutes and follow up on action points.

· Protect and promote the vision, mission and interests of consortium partners as one project;

· Represent the consortium toward the donor(s) and government authorities and therefore communicate with the donor(s) and government authorities;

· Work collaboratively with the consortium members and anticipate challenges to project implementation;

· Works within a matrix environment that requires excellent working relationships and communication in solving problems or conflicts;

· Analyze issues, determine key risks or adverse trends, and propose appropriate corrective measures;

· Ensure coordination and communication with the various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project

· Oversee the process of consolidation and transmission of Project Implementation Plan (PIP), Annual Workplans (AWPs) to the consortium focal point based in Canada; ensuring AWPs are aligned with budget to achieving overall objectives of the project;

· Be responsible to establish, maintain and manage a risk register for the project.

· Model behaviours consistent with Save the Children values, actively creating an organizational culture that reflects values

· Ensure that contractual obligations are met in terms of project deliverables;

· Ensure the activities are implemented according to the approved donor and CA agreement;

· Ensure that donor rules and procedures are understood and respected by all parties, sharing information and conducting training if required on proposed systems and processes for consortium management

· Ensure the project progress is effectively monitored through regular data collection, analysis of indicators and activities and documented

· Conduct periodic field visits to validate progress reports, identify problems and is-sues to address during Consortium Management Team meetings and make recommendations for improvement

· Update Award Management System (AMS), including fund summaries, phased-budget, reporting tab, Match and all award information on a timely basis to ensure complete audit trail (data and process)

· Proactively liaise with Country Offices, Lead TA, Thematic Advisors, and implementation and research delivery partners to ensure project progress and quality

· Work closely with consortium members, CO, research partners and the donor, and be attentive to the recommendations adopted by mutual agreement;

· Ensure good communication with consortium members and technical partners;

· Ensure that PIP and AWPs produced by all members are properly consolidated, coherent and verify that planned activities and budgets are aligned to planned project results and budget parameters;

· Ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Partnership Agreements signed between the members;

· Ensure the implementation of the terms of the agreement with the donor by working with all consortium members to ensure respective roles and responsibilities are fulfilled;

· Consolidate and submit the regular progress reports to the consortium focal point based on the signed agreement and the appropriate review process and approvals;

· Ensure the internal planning of the core team in accordance with the work plan of the management teams and other partners involved in the project;

· Assist consortium members to comply with donor requirements and ad-hoc requests;

· Ensure execution of the project in accordance with agreed action plans and budgets;

· Provide capacity building to consortium members as necessary;

· Analyse payment requests to ensure compliance with the expected results of the project;

· Promote synergy and coherence in project implementation among consortium members, SCI and SCC as well as donors.

· Strengthen local Award Management capabilities through knowledge sharing, skills development, and cross-training

· Share Canadian donor-specific requirements with Regional and Country Offices, maintaining current donor templates in OneNet Library

· Collaborate with Thematic Leads, Communication, Advocacy, and Resource Development to disseminate project knowledge and communications with key audiences

· Support Thematic leads and MEAL team to capture project learnings and contribute to thematic strategies

· As the primary budget holder for THRIVE, is responsible for project budget oversight and preserving financial health of project

· Working in collaboration with Country Office and Consortium partners, responsible to lead on budget forecast, budget realignment and management.

· Responsible to actively manage burn rate, resource allocation/salary recoveries, non-thematic costs (NTC), match performance, CAM and net financial position of THRIVE through variance analysis of budget to actuals to identify financial risks, and ensure fund allocations match signed agreements.

· Responsible for identifying match funding sources through project to project and working closely with resource development, fiancé and thematic teams.

· Lead discussions with Program Financial Analysts and, partner focal points and Country Office Finance teams to resolve financial issues and risks

· Prepare variance explanations and regular financial forecasts for monthly financial reviews, providing frequent updates to Finance, Resource Development, and Award Management teams on issues/risks

· Serves as the main focal person for the donor relation

· Promote healthy working relationship with Desk Officer, GAC teams in the COs and position SCC as partner of choice.

· Resolve issues/challenges

· Read and understand all donor rules, regulations, compliances and requirements as per contribution agreement but also broader GAC policies.

· Train COs, Consortium partners and project team (in Canada and Field) on Donor compliance

· Share the knowledge, links and guidance on donor compliance s with CO

· Review donor reports, ensuring high quality financial and narrative reports are submitted to Donors on a timely basis

· Consolidate reports from all partners and lead on report editing, submission to donors (GAC plus match donors), and maintain close communications with them.

· Consolidate and submit the reports to the consortium focal point in Canada, based on the signed agreement and the appropriate review process and approvals;

· Provide feedback on Donor reports to COs through AMS and to consortium partners through emails.

· Review Contribution Agreement to understand all terms and conditions and develop Donor requirements checklist for the project.

· Conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance to donor requirements and rules.

Qualifications & Competencies (include but are not limited to):

· University degree in International Development.

· Master degree in International Development / Social Sciences or related field.

· Superior English and French writing skills is required. This position is a Bilingual and required to manage awards in Francophone countries.

· 10 years experience in international development setting and direct field experience

· Extensive knowledge and experience of project management in progressively senior roles, in particular managing large projects with partners in consortium setting

· 10 years of experience in project management/program/grant management in International Programs, managing projects in developing countries and fragile contexts, with preference given for candidates with experience in West and Central Africa and working with Consortium partners.

· Prior experience with Global Affairs Canada-funded projects; knowledge of GAC policies and procedures; knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) approach is required

· Prior experience of managing consortium projects in Canada or other settings is considered an asset

· Demonstrated project financial management experience

· Superior relationship building and stakeholder engagement. Requires building rapid relationship with donors, partners and key staff in country offices.

· Outspoken and advocacy oriented. Required to demonstrate result of the portfolio with all stakeholders, including donors, SCC staff and others.

· Superior project management skills to monitor project quality, cost, and time; issues/risks

· Critical thinking and analysis skills to solve problems is a must.

· Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence

· Ability to work within tight deadlines and time pressures

· Detail-oriented to maintain accurate records and financial information within systems

· Intermediate skills in MS Excel to manipulate, analyze, and reconcile financial data

· Ability to travel internationally on occasional basis

· Adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy and protocols.

· Police check vulnerable sector screening.