Save the Children Deputy Director of Programmes Job in Kenya

Context of Work

Save the Children (SC) is an international organisation that has 27 member organisations across the globe. It is united by a common mission and brand but, to some extent, has until now been working independently from country to country.

Through Unified Presence, Save the Children aims to create a stronger voice for children by unifying the operations in all countries where more than one Save the Children Member have programmes. This will result in one organisation at the national level in each country and a unified programme delivery structure for all Save the Children International Members.

The programmes of Save the Children UK, Denmark and Finland unified in Somalia in January 2010 and as a result of this and of an active fundraising strategy at the beginning of 2011 the programme budget was over GBP 10m covering the thematic areas of protection, child survival (which includes health, nutrition and livelihoods), education and Child Rights and Governance. Save the Children works in all three “zones” of Somalia: Somaliland, Puntland and Central South Somalia (CSS).

Due to constraints on security, and the need to liaise with UN agencies, other NGOs and donors the country office is based in Nairobi and senior managers and directors are expected to travel extensively to monitor and support programme work in all parts of Somalia that are accessible and where security threats are being effectively mitigated.

The position of Deputy Director of Programmes has been newly created under the management of the Director of Programmes/Deputy Country Director in response to the expansion of the country programme.

This position will share the overall responsibility for the development, direction and coordination of the country programme together with Directors of Operations, Finance and Human Resources in respect to the sectors that fall under his/her area of responsibility.

With the overall guidance of the Programmes Director/Deputy Country Director the Deputy Director of Programmes is responsible for the development of new work within the sectors of Food Security and Livelihood, Health and Nutrition; the technical quality of country programmes work in the sectors; ensuring the timely and adequate documentation and communication of project outputs, results, outcomes and lessons within and outside of the country programme.

The position will line manage a group of technical thematic managers for Food Security and Livelihood, Health and Nutrition Advisor; and will coordinate closely with the Director of Operations, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Area Representatives, Humanitarian Director and Emergency Programme Manager in project development and in ensuring the technical quality of programmes through the provision of high quality technical support.

Key Accountabilities

1. Strategic Planning, Policy and Review

• Take a lead role in the process of developing and reviewing programme strategies, thematic plans and annual plans for the sectors of food security and livelihood, health and nutrition.
• Contribute to country programme’s advocacy initiatives through impart lessons gained from programmes and projects.
• Keep abreast with and contribute to Save the Children International global initiatives and global trends pertaining to the sectors and wherever possible, apply them in Save the Children’s policy and advocacy efforts.
• Identify and research debates on key policy objectives/issues and help develop the organizations’ understanding on these issues, leading policy analysis at the national level with respect to food security/livelihood, health and nutrition sectors.
• Identify key opportunities for expanding Save the Children’s work in the sector

2. Programme Development and Provision of Technical Assistance

• Lead in the development of project proposals for the sectors of (livelihood/food security, health and nutrition) within the framework of the country strategy and global initiatives and ensure the participation of Finance, HR and Operations departments in this process from an early stage.
• Ensure security concerns are taken into full account in developing proposals and that a detailed security assessment is made of all proposed new areas of work.
• Ensure that all reports prepared by field staff for donors and other external parties are carefully reviewed and if necessary revised before sign-off.
• Ensure that high quality technical assistance in the sectors of food security/livelihood, health and nutrition is available to operations and field technical co-coordinators/ manager and ensure integration of policy and advocacy initiatives in all aspects of programming including partner and staff capacity building.
• Ensure the development and application of a practical field based M&E system/plans for all projects in the sectors (food security/livelihood, health and nutrition) and the provision of the necessary qualified support by technical managers to field operations managers in implementing the system and in documenting the measurement of achievement and progress toward programme goals and results through the M & E system.
• Ensure, with the support of the Area Representatives, that Save the Children principles such as child participation, best interest of the child, non discrimination, community-based approaches, accountability and good governance etc. are mainstreamed in programme development and implementation in reference to food/security, health and nutrition sectors.
• Provide sound leadership and high level technical guidance to technical managers, regional managers and operations Director in all aspects of project cycle management.

3. Representation and Networking

• With particular focus on livelihood/food security, health and nutrition; network and develop relationships with key technical staff within donors, NGOs, and the UN, to gain an understanding of their priorities, to secure funding and to represent Save the Children in advocacy and influencing. In this to work closely with the country programme’s Humanitarian Director in respect to emergency health, nutrition and food security interventions.
• Ensure the country programme’s active participation in technical coordination/ cluster meetings pertaining to food security/livelihood, health and nutrition. This includes presentation and sharing of good practices and other relevant information to key managers with operations and humanitarian department.
• Maintain strategic links with recognized administrations in Somalia and their key ministries at national and regional levels, identify opportunities and ensure Save the Children’s participation in key activities of the national, state and local level.
• Ensure that Save the Children policies in food security/livelihood, health and nutrition are coherent and relevant to current policy debates in Somalia and internationally

4. Line management

• Lead, manage and motivate the technical managers and advisors of food security/livelihood, health and nutrition sectors and ensure that they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.
• Encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.

Person specification

• Masters degree in Social Sciences, in an area of social development. A general appreciation of the issues concerning the development sector with an in-depth knowledge in two sectors he/she will be responsible for (food security/livelihood, health, nutrition).
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development and policy analysis pertinent to food/security, health and nutrition.
• 8 + years out of which 3 – 5 years should be with formulating and directing policy and leading advocacy initiatives at the macro-level.
• Experience of developing and managing programmes/projects in at least two sectors (livelihood/food security, health or nutrition).
• Experience of developing and managing monitoring and learning systems.
• Genuine commitment to, and understanding of, rights-based approaches.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills. Effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross departmental and cross sectoral working.
• High level of integrity.
• Resource mobilization, training and capacity building, coaching / mentoring skills.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and drafting competencies.

Code of Conduct

Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff.

Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards.

Applications should be forwarded to: vacancies@scsom.org

Application Closing Date: Monday 26th Dec 2011, 15:00 pm