Director Of Programme Operations

ROLE PURPOSE: The main responsibility of this senior management team role is to lead the delivery of all programmes and projects within the Save the Children Lebanon country portfolio.   The Director of Programme Operations (DPO) will be responsible for overseeing the management of SCL’s four field bases in Akkar, Bekaa, Beirut/South/Mt Lebanon and Tripoli, providing day to day support, coaching and direct line management to the Area Managers responsible for each of the area of operations.   The DPO will also directly line-manage the Partnership Manager whose remit includes providing support to and management of contracts with our growing number of local partner organisations. Other Operations staff also report to the DPO directly, and those within the line management structures are a dynamic combination of international and national staff.   Currently the portfolio of programmes for which the DPO is ultimately accountable includes Education, Child Protection, Shelter, WASH and Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL). In 2014, SCL’s portfolio of operations was around US $40 million, and 2015 is expected to be a similar level of activity.   With relation to those programmes, the DPO is ultimately responsible for ensuring that Programme staff properly manage their projects, ensuring that regular reviews of programme activities and expenditure are undertaken and risks relating to these are flagged and mitigated. The DPO maintains oversight of multi-location and multi-sectoral complex grants, and will conduct central level reviews of these on a regular basis, taking decisions with relation to these grants as necessary. For all grants, the DPO is responsible for ensuring the high risk grants are dealt with appropriately and where necessary, raised for discussion and action at SMT level. At a central level, the DPO should ensure that a knowledge management system related to programme management/reviews is maintained.   The DPO will work closely with other departments, particularly Logistics, Awards Management, Security, Programme Design & Quality (PDQ), HR and Finance to ensure the smooth delivery of high quality programmes, on time and within budget. This requires strong coordination skills and the ability to draw on appropriate resources from within the broader SCL team. Through this cross-departmental work, the DPO will ensure that programmes are delivered as economically, efficiently and effectively as possible, with reference to SCL’s strategy related to these components.   The DPO also plays an important role with regard to Programme Design which, whilst led by the PDQ department, requires significant engagement and input of Operations staff to ensure the feasibility and appropriateness of programmes within the Lebanon context. The individual will be responsible for succession planning and performance management for field staff, ensuring that core staff are identified and given training opportunities that build both technical (programme or functional) and behavioural (management) skills and which reflect career aspirations and encourages core national staff to continue to work for Save the Children. The DPO should identify training needs for Operations staff, particularly with regard to Operational areas such as project implementation, budget management, working with partners, security management etc. and engage with the Deputy Country Director for Operations and the HR Director to ensure that an appropriate capacity building plan is in place.   The Director of Programme Operations plays a key role in the development of a culture that promotes the primacy of ensuring Save the Children delivers high quality programmes whilst always seeking to improve national staff capacity to take on roles currently held by international staff. Such a culture requires the DPO to embed in staff the values of holding oneself and others to account for work undertaken and being proactive in terms of problem solving and continuous improvement of systems to ensure Save the Children is able to continue to meet the needs of children and their families.  SCOPE OF ROLE:   Reports to: Deputy Country Director – Operations Staff reporting to this post: 6 directly and approximately 250 indirectly KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :   Programme implementation and resource management -          To ensure that operations across the country programme are delivered as economically as possible, with the optimum possible use of resources such as vehicles, warehouses and appropriate staffing levels -          To ensure that programmes are delivered efficiently, maximising opportunities for convergence and integration of activities where possible -          To ensure that the programmes delivered maximise the effectiveness of the intervention, liaising closely with technical advisory staff to focus on quality and impact. -          To maintain oversight of all high risk grants, but particularly those that are multi-location and multi-sectoral, leading on regular programme review meetings and raising issues to SMT level for action as necessary -          Ensuring that programme implementation takes into account contractual requirements; maintaining oversight across grant portfolio to ensure appropriate attention is given to grants according to donor and strategic priorities   Support to programme design/development -       In support of the DPDQ, ensure that programme design is feasible and achievable from an operational perspective. Where necessary, act as liaison between technical advisors and Area/Programme Managers to ensure that interventions are in line with SC strategy and are delivered in accordance with technical advice. -       To oversee the input of Area/Programme Managers into programme design/development to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to the operational platform to enable delivery. -       To lead on the Area Planning process, in conjunction with the DPDQ (who will ensure alignment with Country Annual Plan/Country Strategic Plan), ensuring that area plans are prepared by the field on an annual basis -       To ensure an environment of continuous learning and improvement within the operations team, and that lessons learned throughout programme implementation and utilised to inform the adaptation of existing, and the design of future, programmes   Line Management, succession planning and capacity building -       To line manage the Area Managers and other relevant Operations staff, providing induction, training, coaching and advice consistent with their capacity, roles and responsibilities.  -       To facilitate an environment of high performance within the Operations team, rewarding success and allowing greater autonomy for high performers, whilst managing performance and providing greater levels of support for others. -       Providing an enabling environment which allows senior staff such as Area Managers to utilise their skills and experience to overcome internal and external challenges; acting as liaison between Operations staff and other departments (internally) and organisations (externally) to resolve problems and address systemic issues. -       To oversee the performance of staff within the Operations team to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and capacity relevant to their role. Where necessary, work closely with DCD Operations and HR Director to develop capacity building plans and initiatives which will enable staff to achieve the requirements of their job description.     Coordination and representation -       To work in collaboration with internal departments to ensure coordination between teams and integration of cross departmental processes -       To engage globally on the development of Save the Children operational systems and processes and the sharing of best practice -       To build and maintain relationships with relevant networks and operational staff of similar organisations in the country -       To represent Save the Children with in-country donors as appropriate, particularly around monitoring visits and updates on the implementation of existing programmes    General Complying with and promoting all Save the Children Global policies such as Child Safeguarding, Whistle blowing, Fraud, and Health and Safety QUALIFICATIONS  AND EXPERIENCE: Essential Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a demanding workload comprised of diverse and challenging tasks and responsibilities. Proven track record of active contribution to a senior management team, and providing strategic support across multiple sectors and/or regions. Extensive experience with NGOs with increasing responsibilities including a proven experience of delivering on large scale programmes and managing large teams Experience of and well developed skills in staff management and supervision.  Proven strong coaching and capacity building skills. Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure Good knowledge of logistics, including procurement, supply chain, fleet management etc. Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems and procedures, institutions and donors, accountability frameworks and best practices in emergency management Proven substantial experience and knowledge in effective financial and budgetary control, securing and managing grants from major institutional donors Solid project management skills related to organisational development projects and international cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically An  in-depth  understanding  of  national  and  international  development  issues  in particular in relation to children Computer literate (i.e. WORD, advanced Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer). Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills in English, with experience in managing multicultural teams   Desirable Experience with Save the Children  operational systems/tools and Quality Framework Experience working within a complex matrix organisation structure Recommended Degree in admin., development, strategic management  or  social sciences edures.