Programme Director At Concern Worldwide

About the role: This is a 24 month, accompanied, replacement role based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel within the country.

Your purpose: As a member of the Senior Management Team, and in close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), contribute to the strategic development and management of the Humanitarian and Development Programmes in Ethiopia. The selected individual is also responsible for ensuring humanitarian and development programmes are resourced in line with organizational policies, values and frameworks and the Concern Worldwide Ethiopia Country Strategic Plan. This role also includes responsibility for protection, gender equality, accountability, staff and local partner development in close collaboration with the CD.

You will be responsible for:

Emergency Response and Development Programmes in Selected Regions

• Ensure that Concern Ethiopia is well placed to rapidly respond to humanitarian within existing and newly identified programme areas, bringing together cross-departmental teams to effectively respond to emergencies and link emergency with development and peace where possible.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of emergency and development programmes in selected regions across the country.
• Leading and participating in emergency assessments and developing plans for expansion in consultation with line management
• Lead the review and updating of the PEER Plan (Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response) on an annual basis with the CMT and key humanitarian response staff and ensure that actions identified are implemented in a timely manner
• Ensure the implementation of best practice in relation to development programmes, humanitarian principles, gender and protection and the Core Humanitarian Standard in humanitarian response
• Lead on the implementation of alternative modalities in humanitarian response, including the strengthening of cash/voucher mechanisms and build Concern Ethiopia’s capacity to conduct cash programming

Senior Management:

• Assist the CD & SMT in the management of the country programme (CP) through close and consistent involvement in the decision making processes at the highest level
• Contribute to the elaboration and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP)
• Within the relevant sectors, ensure that all programmes are planned, designed, managed and implemented effectively and efficiently in conformity with Concern’s policies, strategies, programme frameworks and CSP

Institutional Fundraising & Donor Liaison

• Based on the Country Strategic Plan support the CD contribute to the development and implementation of a country wide funding strategy.
• Build and manage relationships with the main institutional donors in-country, update them on project progress as required and to flag any issues relating to the implementation of the grant in a timely manner
• Coordinate and lead on the development and elaboration of programme proposals for donors
• Identify potential sources of donor funding and liaise with such donors in an effort to secure new and continued funding for programmes
• Communicate regularly with existing donors to update them on project progress as required and to flag any issues relating to the implementation of the grant in a timely manner
• Facilitate field visits by donors as required

Programme Management:

• Guide the strategic and operational direction of the Emergency response function, Resilience, WASH function and Nutrition Programmes, gender transformative programming, accountability, protection, monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Ensure effective operational management of Concern Ethiopia (CE) programmes through line management of key staff and in participation with the SMT so that programmes are implemented in line with project plans and all deliverables achieved within the agreed scope and timeframe
• Ensure strong integration between sectoral programme departments, ensure that internal integrated technical working groups are active and that regular inter-departmental meetings take place
• Ensure strong links with HQ advisors so that programmes are implemented to a high technical standard and in line with best practice
• In conjunction with the Programme Coordinators and the CMT identify new programme interventions and opportunities in accordance with CSP based on thorough contextual analysis
• Ensure that programmes are designed and implemented in a participatory manner with relevant stakeholders, and are inclusive of all mainstreaming issues
• Undertake frequent monitoring visits to programme areas (PA) and provide feedback to managers and staff
• Develop strong links with a range of strategic partners and if appropriate plan and implement joint programmes

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

• Ensure that a system of learning and knowledge management is developed and implemented across development and emergency programmes and that Concern Ethiopia develops a strong culture of learning for both internal use and for external sharing
• Seek opportunities for Concern Ethiopia to contribute to Concern’s organisational learning through participation in relevant workshops and trainings and in liaison with SAL, ensure that PCs coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of all programmes within the agreed plans, budgets, time frames and donor guidelines
• Ensure that PCs develop a community focused intervention for the relevant programmes, ensuring inclusion and participation of all vulnerable groups specifically the poor, women, children, the elderly, disabled, persons etc., in particular ensure the rolling out of the beneficiary accountability systems and associated processes
• Ensure that programmes follow Concern guidelines in relation to programme quality and standards, including the use of the PQ Guide and the programme toolkit

Gender Equality

• As the SMT Gender Lead, be responsible for the implementation of the Concern Ethiopia Gender Equality Strategy and the associated gender action plan
• Work closely with the Systems Director to ensure the implementation of organisational gender equality mainstreaming and the development of a gender sensitive working environment
• Ensure that all long term programmes progressively develop gender transformative programming approaches including Concern’s Engaging Men and Boys approach
• Ensure the mainstreaming of GBV prevention and gender equality into all humanitarian response programmes
• Ensure that gender transformative training is carried out for all staff and that organisational conversations take place and are appropriately facilitated
• Continually review progress of the gender equality strategy and submit a report to the CMT on a quarterly basis
• Ensure that adequate resources are available for the effective implementation of the gender equality strategy

Accountability and Protection

• Ensure that Concern Ethiopia complies with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and oversee the review and implementation of an annual CHS action plan
• Ensure that robust complaints response mechanisms are in place in all programmes and that they are developed and implemented with strong community level engagement
• Review CRM and CHS reports and ensure that any concerns are flagged to the CD in a timely manner
• Oversee the development of the mainstreaming of protection into all programmes, including ensuring quality training for programme staff and the development and implementation of action plans which take analysis, mitigation and response into account

Grant Management

• Ensure that the Concern Ethiopia grant management guidelines are followed for all grants
• With the Programme Coordinators, ensure that grant opening, review and closing meetings are held according to the schedule and that action points are followed up in a timely manner
• Take corrective action as needed to ensure that grants are implemented as per the donor agreement
• Ensure that all grants are executed within the agreed scope – budget, timeframe and activities.

Financial Management

• With the Area Coordinators and PC, review the budget monitoring tool (BMT) on a monthly basis, advise on corrective action relating to underspends and overspend and ensure that accurate forecasting is completed by the AC & PC, advise the CD and the finance department of any variances and recommend solutions
• Mentor and assist budget holders in the development of accurate budgets during project proposal development
• Ensure that detailed programme budgets and budget revisions are prepared and submitted by the Programme Coordinator in a timely manner
• Ensure that ACs & PCs identify and notify SMT when a cost and a no cost extension is required for any programme and that appropriate timely action is undertaken
• Report any suspected and actual financial irregularities or other fraud to the Country Accountant and CD and recommend solutions to the identified irregularities
• Comply with authorization levels for expenditure and ensure that all programme staff do likewise

HR

In collaboration with the HR department and by coaching, mentoring and supporting the PCs, the PD will:

• Ensure sufficient human resources for the relevant programmes to meet their objectives
• Work with directly reporting staff by coaching, training and mentoring to ensure development of their management skills
• Monitor performance based on agreed job descriptions and ensure compliance with agreed objectives and all Concern policies
• Ensure the effective implementation of the performance development system within the relevant programme teams
• When necessary, assist with recruitment, management of disciplinary and grievances issues

Reporting:

• Ensure that the relevant staff update the donor reporting tracker and circulate it to all relevant staff with workflow dates as per the schedule
• Ensure that donor reports are submitted to a high quality standard and in sufficient time for review by the relevant people and subsequent submission to the relevant donor/desk officer, to reach the donor on time.
• Review the monthly programme report for each grant with the Programme Coordinator and ensure any corrective action is identified and followed up in a timely manner;
• Ensure that PMs provide financial projection reports to Finance Department

Networking:

• Represent Concern at inter-agency, UN, Government and coordination meetings pertaining to the relevant sectors or when requested by senior management
• Attend meetings on behalf of the CD
• Maintain and develop the image and reputation of Concern at the highest levels
• Play a lead role in the various Cluster groups as appropriate

Security:

• In conjunction with the ACs & PCs, monitor and if necessary report on security issues to the Security Focal Person
• Ensure programme staff awareness and adherence to the Country Security Management Plan and in conjunction with the PCs, identify security training needs as they arise
• Participate in the CE Head Office Security Focal Group

Systems:

• Ensure the development and timely implementation and review of procurement plans for all grants
• Ensure strong communication takes place between programmes teams and the systems department
• Ensure that all programme teams are compliant with Concern and donor procurement policies and procedures
• In conjunction with the systems director where necessary, monitor and authorize contracts prepared with contractors
• In conjunction with the PCs, ensure that all goods, services and money are procured using the correct documentation and codes and if necessary, ensure training from the relevant systems support department
• In conjunction with the PCs, monitor the storage, distribution and use of all goods allocated to the programme and ensure that any variances are reported to the Logs Manager or the Systems Director as appropriate

Your skills and experience will include:

Education:

• Relevant Third level qualification (humanitarian assistance, nutrition, agriculture, social science, anthropology, gender studies, public health, nutrition, rural development etc.)
• Masters in relevant discipline

Experience:

• At least 2 years of senior management team experience and at least one year working in an international setting.
• Strong track record of managing large scale humanitarian response in complex operational environments and experience in integrated development programmes with a focus on resilience building for shocks and stresses
• Track record in staff capacity development
• Committed to and experience of working with local partners
• Demonstrated experience in gender equality
• Proven track record in proposal and report writing
• Proven track record in MEAL
• Strong logistics and budget management skills

Desirable:

• Experience working in Ethiopia
• Previous experience working with Concern Worldwide
• Experience in humanitarian advocacy and negotiations
• Experience in knowledge documentation and sharing

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• Ability to identify and analyse problems and recommend solutions
• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines
• Alignment to Concern’s values. Strong commitment and understanding of the need to advance gender equality at the organisational level and within Concern’s programmes is essential for this role, as is the ability to act as a Gender Champion and lead in the implementation of organisational goals relating to gender equality
• Empathy with organisational goals
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility, adaptability, and patience with facilitation and interpersonal skills
• Methodical and thorough in approach
• Training, coaching and mentoring skills and ability to motivate and develop skills of others
• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences