Field Manager - Humanitarian Surge Team (HST)

ROLE PURPOSE:

As part of our humanitarian ambition and 2030 global strategy, Save the Children is developing and implementing a new Surge Capacity Model to further improve the efficient deployment of high quality surge staff to support the delivery of our Humanitarian Responses directly and in collaboration with SCI partners.  The model will be a stimulus for other areas of the organisation, demonstrating more collaborative and cost effective ways of working to drive resources closer to children and honor our commitments to sector wide developments including the Grand Bargain and Core Humanitarian Standard.  

The postholder will provide dedicated surge support for all categories of humanitarian response efforts, interim cover for critical roles and capacity building to country and regional office staff and SCI partners within humanitarian contexts around the globe.  When not on deployment the postholder will undertake work at the base location agreed with their Subject Matter Advisor and Deployment Manager and contribute to the further development of the surge capacity model.

The role will responsible and accountable for the provision of Field Management within Humanitarian Responses. He/she will provide ongoing support to develop best practice.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in Humanitarian Responses.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Staff reporting to this post: some line management responsibility may be required when deployed.

Budget Responsibilities: some budget management might be required when deployed.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

Establishes clear objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance;  

- Manage and motivate field base staff to perform highly in their respective roles and responsibilities. This will include leading on staffing structure, recruitment, performance management and implementing staff welfare policy;  

- Identifies learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff and partners and work as a mentor and role model for less experienced staff;   

- Actively contributes to a team environment where team members feel able to contribute, champion or challenge decisions;  

- Takes responsibility for own development, and actively takes steps to better understand and address own strengths and weaknesses.  

- Demonstrates personal integrity by using one’s position responsibly and fairly.  

  Programme Support (typically will be for small or medium-sized emergencies):  

- Prepares and oversee programme implementation to ensure timely delivery of programme activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management work plans);  

- Manages logistics processes to procure, store and distribute stock, supplies and services for the timely delivery of project objectives within the field base or area;  

- Manages multiple grants across multiple sectors, ensuring that projects and reports are delivered according to Save the Children and donor contractual requirements, within the agreed timescale and budget;  

- Working with the Response and/or Programme leads to develop sector response plans and master budgets and contribute to Save the Children’s overall response strategy;  

- Working closely with the Response and/or Programme leads  to support fundraising for your sector, including development of high quality concept notes and proposals;  

- Develops and implement effective safety and security procedures for multiple offices within the field base or area, ensuring that these are updated and revised at regular intervals and that new programme are built around security considerations;   

- Undertakes effective risk assessments and develops contingency plans.   

- Ensure that key international commitments such as Red Cross Code of Conduct, Humanitarian Principles, CHS and Grand Bargain, are built into the response and sector minimum standards (such as INEE or CPMS) of humanitarian relief are maintained

- Ensures efficient and transparent use of resources in accordance with internal controls  

  MEAL  

- Develop and implement participatory assessments to contribute to programme planning and MEAL processes;  

- Creates measures and metrics to track performance;  

- Ensures beneficiary and partner feedback is incorporated into programme design, planning and learning;  

  Coordination  

- Oversee multi agency coordination at field base or area, and lend support to cluster where appropriate;  

- Actively engages in disaster coordination mechanisms and interagency cooperation;  

- Demonstrates an understanding of wider UN/NGO security coordination and how the organisation can benefit from, and contribute to, those mechanisms;  

- To identify opportunities and material to contribute to communications and media work, acting as a spokesperson when required  

Problem solving and decision making:

- Demonstrates flexibility to adapt plans and make decisions in rapidly changing environments;  

- Actively manages risk and takes action to reduce risk;  

- Takes appropriate, coordinated and consistent action to handle situations of personal risk and risk for others;  

- Uses negotiation and conflict resolution skills to support positive outcomes;  

- Demonstrates managerial courage by confronting difficult situations, seeking resolution, and championing ideas.  

Working effectively with other:

- Ensure the security, health and well-being of staff and that staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect Save the Children’s principles of equity and fairness.; Develops strategies for teams to work across traditional boundaries, working in diverse environments.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Essential

Technical Skills:   

- Previous experience of project management, including multi sector programmes;   

- Budget management experience including institutional donors such as OFDA, DFID and ECHO;  

- Security management experience in insecure environments;  

- Field level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN;   

- Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy and media representation;  

- Demonstrable experience of MEAL and beneficiary accountability;  

- Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports  

Personal Skills:  

- Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy; 

- A high level of written and spoken English

- The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances;   

- Good attention to detail;  

- Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts 

- Proficiency in written and spoken English, in addition to any of the following languages: Spanish, French and Arabic

  Education/Professional Skills:   

- Significant experience of working internationally in humanitarian programmes;   

- Previous first phase emergency response experience is essential;  

- Previous experience of managing a large team;  

- Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support