Award Director

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration.  Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Health and Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon.   Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, in the following locations Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa:   ROLE PURPOSE: The Award Director will provide the primary award management inputs for both development and humanitarian programmes, and on-going support to develop best practice award management procedures and processes. The role has three main aspects to it: lead the Country Office award management team; capacity building of staff in their award management professional development and contributing to the development and advancement of award management processes and systems.   The role will establish and oversee grants management systems, relationships (with donor and members), and reporting to support the programme activities of Save the Children in Lebanon. The role will also ensure that the programme adheres to all its grant management obligations internally within Save the Children and externally with donors. The support in the delivery of an effective grant management function will play a key role in the expansion of Save the Children programmes in Lebanon to increase impact and enable positive change for children   KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :   Award Management and Country Office Strategy Ensuring all grant monitoring and tracking systems are working effectively and are consistent with country programme strategy and global Save the Children grant management protocols and best practice. Provide strategic support within the SMT on all aspects of award management including funding pipeline management, award contracting and donor compliance (particularly controlling the implementation of compliance requirements set by key donors). Support development and implementation of the Country Office funding strategy, making recommendations and flagging issues to the SMT and Save the Children members as appropriate. Ensure accurate and up to date information on the funding pipeline and award portfolio is readily available to SMT and members by overseeing the compilation of grant management statistics, including grant tracking templates and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Working with  the Director of Finance and Support Services to ensure that the CO has a clear framework for master budget development, cost allocation, monitoring of award budgets, phasing and forecasting, in particular ensuring alignment between the master budget and funding tracker. Ensure that necessary risks are taken knowingly with appropriate mitigating actions.  Identify, assess, input, recommend on the existing and desired reconciliation process (reporting assurance mechanism) between Finance, Procurement, Logistics, Distribution, and M&E to ensure accountable reporting to donors. Ensure that the Award Management System (AMS) is effectively maintained, up to date and accurately records the audit trail (data and process) for all awards and sub-awards by ensuring that all proposals, contracts and amendments are appropriately authorized, that new grants documentation is properly registered and updated on AMS and that any issues with the grant management system are addressed promptly and effectively. Recruit, train and manage award management staff.   Members /Donor Services and Proposal Development   Representing the principles and work of Save the Children to donors, United Nations, NGOs and INGOs, government, media and other stakeholders when required Build and maintain relationships with the local representatives of donor organisations, working closely with relevant members to ensure consistent communications to donor organisations at all levels. Build and maintain relationships with relevant networks and award management staff of similar organisations in the country. Lead the proposal development process by supporting programme staff in the preparation of timely, achievable, high-quality proposals and budgets to ensure that donor requirements are met; and coordinate across departments, with the region, centre and members as needed.   Donor Compliance Ensure all donor requirements are met and there is a complete audit trail of the implementation and reporting for all awards. Ensure that key contributing staff has a clear understanding of donor requirements and expectations at the proposal, agreement, kick off, implementation, amendment, reporting, close out and audit stage of awards. Ensure that key processes are in place so that proposals, formats, eligibility, compliance, reporting, M&E and quality assurance receive optimum attention at the various stages of the award life cycle with a view of securing donor satisfaction.  Work with the finance team and provide technical advice to strategic donor costs allocation with a view to minimise compliance requirements where possible (timesheets, co-financing etc.) Ensure potential issues and amendment requests are flagged promptly to donors via the relevant Save the Children member. This may include developing business cases where donor waiver/derogation requests need to be more thoroughly articulated or negotiated with donors. Ensure that all key new staff members receives an orientation to SCI award management processes, systems, tools, and donor compliance requirements that are relevant to the role so that the information can be disseminated to all the staff in general Work and coordinate closely with Director Support Services for internal and external auditors as necessary.   Partnerships Work with relevant program staff and Partnership Manager to ensure all implementing partners; undergo legal vetting and a capacity assessment prior to commencing work with Save the Children, are engaged with appropriate agreements and effective monitoring systems are in place so that partner delivery meets donor expectations and requirements. Work with program staff to ensure relevant donor requirements are effectively communicated and understood by implementing partners. Ensure that partnership agreements, amendments and funds transfer requests are properly reviewed and documented before getting it signed by the Country Director   Capacity Building Support the award management team to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of staff across all functions to manage awards and comply with donor requirements as relevant to their role by providing, induction, training and coaching consistent with their various roles and responsibilities.  Providing budget holders and line managers with appropriate training in donor guidelines, compliance issues, field budgeting systems and Save the Children grant management procedures and best practice   General Complying with and promoting all Save the Children Global policies such as Child Safeguarding, Whistle blowing, Fraud, and Health and Safety QUALIFICATIONS  AND EXPEIENCE: 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 establishing and running the award management function in the field. Knowledge of the requirements of major institutional donors including budgeting, eligibility issues, compliance management, and reporting. Experience of engaging with donors at country strategy levels. Experience of and well developed skills in staff management and supervision.  Proven strong coaching and capacity building skills. Very strong capacity for attention to detail, problem solving, and analysis of trends. Computer literate (i.e. WORD, advanced Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, financial      systems). 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 Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills in English, with experience in managing multicultural teams   Desirable Experience with Save the Children  award management Policies, procedures and systems and Save the Children’s award management system (AMS) Understanding of how to produce financial reports from Save the Children’s overseas accounting software  (Agresso) Experience of Project Management, M&E Management or Funding Coordination   APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is: For External applicants on october 20th .                          The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process.   STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •              Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •              Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •              CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •              Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •              Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •              Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to Lebanon.vacancies@savethechildren.org   Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.