Consortium Manager At Oxfam

Job Purpose:

To manage and ensure quality delivery of the Developing and Promoting Peacebuilding project in Kachin and northern Shan. The Consortium Manager will lead a Program me Management Unit (PMU) responsible for consortium coordination, and overall implementation of the programme. The Consortium Manager will be the main focal point towards the donor (European Union) and will be accountable to the project’s Steering Committee. This role will ensure the project’s activities are correctly reflected in the work plans and high-quality reporting is consolidated from partner reports. The Consortium Manager is also responsible managing demand-driven technical support that is required to implement the project. As matrix-manager of the DPP’s Consortium Finance Manager, the Consortium Manager will also be responsible for the financial health of the programme and keeping the Steering Committee and the donor informed of the financial performance of the programme.

Dimensions

• Coordination of and delivery of agreed plans or strategies. Representation in coordination meetings and maintaining external relationships, including with the donor.
• Impact and influence are mostly within their own team but sometimes also in other parts of their department and/or external public.
• Usually plans and manages sub-unit resources, not usually over broad spectrum of programs or geographies.
• Help shape objectives in a specific team or program
• Often working as part of a management team within a larger program unit.
• Providing specialist advice or specific skills to team.
• Plans/objectives contribute to departmental/broader program strategy and can involve collaboration with other departments.
• Management tasks are complex and non-routine within a specialised unit/function.
• Requires the ability to analyse and communicate complex information to a wide audience.
• Decision-making requires significant levels of judgement based on technical and management experience, generally actively supported within line management or the programme team.
• Role is variable with well-defined targets and/or minimum standards and is both proactive and reactive.
• To play active role in lobby and advocacy on issues related to programmes through personal contacts and co-ordination of allies.
• To take part in public campaigns based on agreed plan of action and objectives.
• To support fundraising efforts and produce clear and quality reports (financial and narrative) that demonstrate good accountability.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Management and partner relationship management

• Provide effective management and coordination of the programme, including compliance with the agreed Consortium quality standards and with donor rules and regulations.
• Ensure that quality programme implementation tools and processes are developed in consultation with the Consortium members (planning, financial reporting, narrative reporting, consortium-wide strategies and plans, etc.).
• Oversee the programme budget and liaise directly with the relevant staff of Consortium members and Oxfam staff.
• Lead six-monthly coordination meetings with consortium partners, ensuring that their work plans are up to date, and any minor budgetary changes are processed correctly.
• Ensure effect collaboration with the Consortium members and ensure that secretariat services and management information are efficiently provided to the Steering Committee, including the preparation and documentation of Steering Committee meetings.
• Produce overall consortium project reports, financial reports etc. for the Steering Committee and for the EU Delegation.
• Coordinate joint consortium activities (e.g. reviews, evaluations, trainings etc.), both in terms of programmatic activities and MEAL activities.
• Ensure the production of communications IEC materials etc. as agreed by the Steering Committee and ensure the visibility guidelines on logos are correctly followed.
• Maintain close relationship with the Steering Committee for necessary approval and sign off consortium level activities.
• Maintain close relationship with Oxfam and the HQ for necessary approvals and sign offs of activities done in Oxfam’s name.
• With the support of the DPP’s Consortium Finance Manager, to oversee management of grants and contracts with Consortium members and to other partners, ensuring timely release of grant funds, financial monitoring of partner projects and internal budget monitoring that are in compliance with Oxfam’s financial systems;
• Coordinate effectively with different departments within Oxfam to ensure harmonization and necessary support is provided.

Staff Management

• Line management of the Oxfam Staff of the Programme Management Unit.
• Develop Terms of Reference for appropriate and necessary technical expertise that will be provided by external consultants
• Ensures the external Technical Advisors provide appropriate support and coordinate activities among consortium members to provide peer-to-peer technical advice.

MEAL and Knowledge Management

• Oversee the effective implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) plan and framework, including all associated systems and processes in collaboration with the Consortium partners and MEAL Manager in line with the project’s log frame
• Ensures Knowledge, Learning and Sharing are core to the consortium culture and that resources, time and capacities are properly committed to integrating a cycle of reflection, adaptation, and action across all activities

Coordination, representation, and networking

• Establish strong relationship with the EU and ensure regular communication as part of donor relations management role.
• If required and requested by the Steering Committee, represents the Consortium Steering Committee in external forums, including with EU and other donors.
• Develop joint advocacy and communications strategy, plan and messages and obtaining appropriate sign off.
• Work closely with Oxfam country team such as Head of Programmes, Head of Programme Quality and Development, and other Management team members for bringing strategic alignment with country strategy.
• Maintain close relationship with Oxfam country regional and head offices for necessary approvals and sign offs.

For more information regarding the position, please have a look at the Job Profilehere.

What we are looking for:

Skill and Competence:

• Can demonstrate a minimum of 7 years of relevant working experience in similar positions and have affinity with international development issues; familiarity with the rights-based approach and a commitment to a gender sensitive approach.
• Have proven experience of large scale programme and financial management and coordination of complex multi-partner and multi-annual programmes.
• Are willing and able to commit to leading this programme and team for two years.
• Have human resources experience and experience with leading and inspiring a team.
• Have a well-developed understanding of conflict transformation, governance, and peace-building issues, particularly in the Myanmar context.
• Have good communication skills and fluent command of English, both in writing and speaking.
• Knowledge of local languages relevant to Kachin is an asset.
• Experience with EU systems and procedures is an asset.
• Have at least 3 years of working within a Consortia structure would be a significant advantage.
• Have a good understanding of the Myanmar context in general and the Kachin context.
• Understand civil society dynamics and their role in change process.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to working in collaboration and partnership.
• Have the ability to build constructive relationships and partnerships based on mutual values and respect
• Have demonstrated the ability to distance manage a team and share management responsibilities via a matrix structure
• Have experience of analyzing and managing risks in a complex political context and creatively minimizing their potential impact
• Have excellent analytical and communication skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively, and practically to improve programme quality
• Good understanding and experience of linking programme work to lobby and advocacy, and to media work

What we offer:

Oxfam aims to recruit and retain diverse, passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment to meet our vision. We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits.

Find out more about our pay & benefits, please click here

Our values and commitment to safeguarding:

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Note to candidates: Shortlisted candidates will be assessed on our organisational values and attributes at the interview stage. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to adhere to our code of conduct. We encourage candidates to read and understand our code of conduct here.

About Us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 19 organizations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.