Programme Manager - Beirut

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Programme Manager will be responsible for the delivery of SC’s component of the MYRP.  The Programme Manager will liaise closely with the other ECW grantees in Lebanon – UNICEF and UNESCO - and ensure the Multi Year Response Programme (MYRP) is implemented in coordination with relevant education actors. The Programme Manager will provide leadership and overall fund management to the grant-making project, and will oversee sub-award processes, reporting and coordination of activities undertaken to support partners in education.

The Programme Manager will oversee the implementation of all aspects of Save the Children’s commitments under the MYRP including systems strengthening. S/he will work closely with the SC Education Technical Advisor to ensure technical quality. The position holder will be involved in undertaking needs assessments; monitoring progress and evaluations, adapting existing programming to changing needs; and ensure the effective implementation of the ECW programme. The post will be primarily office based, but will be expected to regularly meet with partners and join the field teams during assessments and implementation. S/he will ensure that partner’s projects are implemented effectively and efficiently according to the donor and SC’s guidelines and procedures for project governance applicable for the particular projects.

Furthermore, the Programme Manager will have also an important role in donor/donors engagement as well as in ensuring that all relevant stakeholders remain abreast of the educational needs, challenges and opportunities in Lebanon. They will also be engaged in program and proposal development to ensure the MYRP becomes fully funded.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

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 with country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports Direct: Deputy Country Director-Programme Operations

Staff reporting to this post: NA

Budget Responsibilities: $4 million per year

Role Dimensions: Overall management of the ECW grant implementation and leadership and oversight of the sub-award and partnerships process. Accountable for Budget Management including forecasting and expenditure, proposal and reports writing, local partner management, decision making, internal and external representation.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Implementation and Delivery

• Responsible for the implementation of Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Multi Year Resilience Programme () ensuring that the highest technical standards are respected, in coordination with the Education TA.
• Lead the development of the overall SC ECW work plan, in coordination with partners and with the support of the area managers, work with partners to finalize implementation plans for each project, and oversee weekly and monthly work plans in line with the implementation plan.
• With the support of the Area Managers & Education TA, lead the implementation of the ECW project through local partners including identification, assessment, capacity development, monitoring and closure of partnerships.
• Work with the partners to ensure regular liaison with communities/municipalities and ensure community participation especially children, youth and women in all steps of project cycle, and grant acceptance of Save the Children’s ECW programming.
• Participate in training of Education and other sector staff (coordinators, officers and assistants) to ensure they have solid understanding of key programme documents and tools, including MEAL tools as needed.
• Oversee ECW budgets, financial reporting and forecasting of direct SCI project and partners led projects.
• Ensure programme budgets and implementation is happening on time and in line with SCI’s and donors’ expectations and quality standards.
• Work with logistics/procurement and programming staff to select services including private sector providers and technical consultants as required for ECW Grant.
• With the support of the Area Managers, develop internal and partner’s capacity in implementing the ECW project.
• Produce timely reports for internal use on the status of on-going programming; and consolidate data and reports from partners to lead on and finalize donor reporting.
• Work with colleagues from other sectors to ensure regular coordination at strategic and programmatic level.
• identify programme gaps and ensure appropriate action is taken With other team members (and communities),
• With the support of the Area Manager, the Education TA and MEAL team, implement and operationalize monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for Save the Children’s ECW project.
• Ensure clear plans in place for monitoring and evaluating project activities in relation to Save the Children, partners and donor objectives; and that lessons learnt are shared and capitalized on.
• Ensure that projects are monitored regularly, and that data is collected on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis.
• Regularly visit project sites to ensure that Education teams are appropriately supported.
• Coordinate with the lead SC Member for the ECW project, keeping them abreast of developments in Lebanon.
• ongoing identification and assessment of potential risks and contribution to the development of risk mitigation plans.
• Provide timely and well-reasoned improvements to overall governance structures of and between the funds.
• Support strengthening child protection referral pathways and Mental Health Psychosocial Support efforts, aligned to SC’s component under the MYRP.
• Lead internal mid-term and periodic reviews of the ECW programme.

Team management and capacity building

• Work in collaboration with Partnerships, technical advisors and Education specialist to identify capacity building requirements for partners implementing ECW interventions and develop capacity building plan accordingly

Partnerships management

• Mentioned above Responsible for partnership management to ensure programme delivery.
• Support in the completion of partner assessments and work closely with partners on development of proposals and budgets for their sub-award agreements and updates on a yearly basis or as required.
• Provide continuous programme management and facilitate technical support to partners to ensure timely quality programming.
• Work with HR/Finance/Supply Chain departments to ensure partners are receiving adequate support from support sections.

External relationships/Representation

• Contribute to development of advocacy messages and materials in conjunction with SC PAC unit.
• Remain updated and engaged with the education sector across Lebanon, including challenges, needs and opportunities.
• Contribute to the quarterly review for the ECW steering committee.
• Ensure appropriate communication and liaison with the other Grantees, UNICEF and UNESCO, in respect to project implementation.
• Support any re-design of (components of) the MYRP programme.
• Support fundraising efforts to increase MYRP funding levels.
• Coordinate with other Education actors in Lebanon to ensure alignment of activities and avoid duplication.

General

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Help be responsible for the security of all staff. Ensure that the security, health and wellbeing of staff are ensured and staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect SC’s principles of equity and fairness.
• To perform such other responsibilities as agreed with your line management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor degree in related fields with minimum of 5 years of award management experience in an NGO, including significant representation and donor engagement experience.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• Robust experience of humanitarian, development and emergency program cycle management, and with experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure.
• Exemplary partnership development and management skills, including in fostering strong collaboration and learning between partners.
• Experience in the design, implementation and reporting on education in emergency (EiE) and Child Protection programmes.
• Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices in emergency management.
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically.
• Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence.
• Works collaboratively with team members to drive forward progress.
• Comfortable working independently with little supervision, as well as with receiving and accounting for direction and engaging as part of a dynamic team.
• Computer literacy including Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams in the event of major emergencies.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches.
• Strong English and Arabic communication skills.
• Available and willing to travel throughout Lebanon.

Desirable

• Substantial experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and securing and managing grants from major institutional donors, including ECW or UNICEF.
• Experience in fund management/grant-making within similar pooled fund structures.
• Deep understanding of the education sector and needs in the Lebanon context from previous program roles.
• Previous experience of working with consortium modalities.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Travel: 40% of time travel required in Lebanon to meet with implementing partners and relevant WGs

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.