Regional Area Manager Western at Save the Children

Regional Area Manager Western

Employer: Save the Children

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Kasese - Rwanda, Uganda

Posted date: 11 months ago

Deadline: Submission date is over

OVERVIEW

Are you passionate about being an advocate for children? Do you want to use your expertise to bring about lasting change for children and be a part of an inspiring, dynamic global movement?

As a member of the Extended Senior Management Team, the Regional Area Manager takes leadership in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Regional Office and regional-based operations. The Regional Area Manager will be responsible for all of the region's program management, operations, and implementation of all awards/projects, including the management of district-based operations and offices, emergency responses, supply chain, partnership, and safety & security in the region.

Sounds interesting? Read more below.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the Extended Senior Management Team:

Leadership and Management of Teams.

• Leading regional staff and teams.
• Promote the development of an organizational culture that reflects SCI's dual mandate & values, accountability & high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity, and innovation, and delivers outstanding results for children and excellent external engagements & relationships with SCI Members and donors.
• Supports the design and implementation of a coherent organizational structure that delivers program operations in the field.
• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with government authorities, donors, and partner agencies including major institutional donors, and local and international NGOs at the region of operation.
• Ensure that the required support to regions is provided promptly to regional teams.

Planning and Management of Program Operations

• Responsible for regional coordination of program operations and delegated responsibility for regional program operations delivery of high-quality programs in line with the objectives of the country's strategy.
• In close coordination with the Director of Program Operations and Technical Advisors, participate in/ support resource acquisition processes, including development project/ grant proposals.
• Manage program operations and projects by grant agreements, timelines, and approved budgets.
• Working with the Director of Program Operations, participate in conceptualizing and designing cost-effective, innovative, and high-quality programs that serve difficult-to-reach areas and children.
• Serve as a regional budget holder for regional programming; manage and support budget holders for individual projects and grants.
• Ensure programs are implemented in ways responsive to the communities and children in line with Save the Children principles, values, and strategic plan and following Save the Children compliance procedures.
• Support working with government, civil society, and partners to strengthen delivery capacity in the region.
• Preparation and submission of timely and high-quality progress reports, program reports, and donor reports.
• Coordinate regional funding development process from both grants and SCI members; developing funding strategies, creating grant proposals, and identifying staff leads.
• Oversee all sub-area offices and teams.
• Budgeting - support budget planning for regional programs and projects.
• Budget management - budgets are managed within the approved timelines and budgets.
• Financial management - proper financial management and accountability in line with policy guidelines.
• Risk management – conduct a pre-audit risk assessment to minimize any risks.

Networking and advocacy

• Profile SCI at district/ regional meetings, workshops, donors, networks, and other relevant forums.
• Build SCI partnerships, networks, coalitions, and alliances at the regional level and link them with national-level lobbying and influencing engagements and processes.
• Support advocacy and influencing engagements across the region, linking it with national-level advocacy processes.

Supply Chain Management

• Build regional supply chain capacity and systems to meet SCI standards and deliver programmatic operations.
• Develop and implement regional-level emergency response.
• Manage regional fleet, assets, transport, and supply chain.
• Manage proper maintenance and insurance of all vehicles in the region.
• Ensure goods and services procured are cost-effective and of standard quality.
• Ensure effective and timely implementation of procurement processes in the region.
• Work closely with the procurement team in negotiating the best deals with suppliers.
• Ensure proper record keeping, maintenance, and control of inventory.
• Manage proper documentation and recording of fixed assets of the region.
• Manage the fixed assets in the region.

Emergency Response Management

• Strengthen the regional capacity and readiness to respond to emergencies in line with global SCI emergency goals and benchmarks.
• Ensure emergency management in the regional designs & updates and implement a full set of emergency preparedness actions, drawing on SCI member input and resources.
• Mount appropriate and timely responses at scale to all emergencies consistent with established benchmarks, plans, and organizational policies, and in close cooperation with incoming surge teams.
• Ensure that all regional staff across departments and field offices are familiar with, adhere to, and implement the procedures and processes detailed in the Rules and Principles for emergency response.
• In coordination with the Deputy Director of Program Operations, maintain consistent and coherent engagement in key inter-agency emergency preparedness and response coordination mechanisms and follow through on agreed actions.

Staff Safety and Security

• Work with regional-based offices and staff to ensure that the staff and assets of Save the Children International are safe and secure.
• Ensure that all safety and security minimum operating standards are met.
• Coordinate the implementation of staff security guidelines and support periodic security assessment and reporting.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Program Operations

• Ensure appropriate staffing within regional program operations and offices.
• Ensure that all regional staff understand and can effectively respond to and manage emergencies.
• Manage the regional Program Operations team; define expectations, provide leadership and seek technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• Ensure the recruitment, training, development, and growth of staff is appropriate and support the professional development of staff.
• Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into reflection & learning, and team building processes. Establish a result-based system and follow up on performance.
• Manage the performance of all regional staff through:
  • Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews, and fair and unbiased evaluations.
  • Coaching, mentoring, and other developmental opportunities.
  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance.
  • Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans.

Partner Management

• Ensure that regional partnerships are established in line with SCI guidelines and have sufficient capacity that further achievement of Save the Children's global and national strategies and strengthen local and national capacity to deliver for children.
• Analyse potential partners using organization selection criteria and methods and ensure that all partners comply with Save the Children International and donor requirements and regulations.
• Ensure that the Region engages in mutual assessment, feedback, and learning with partners and assist partners to engage in knowledge building and advocacy.
• Oversee implementation of regional-based partners and ensure that appropriate partners are engaged in emergency preparedness and responses.
• Ensure that partnership processes, including assessments, signing of MOUs, transfer of funding, and reporting are timely.

Representation and relationship-building

• Ensure engagements with government and key stakeholders.
• In close collaboration with the Head of Advocacy and Communications, design and implement adequate advocacy in the region.
• Where/when required, represent SCUG regional level with donors, the media, and key stakeholders.
• Where/when required undertake high-level representation and advocacy with Government partners and officials as well as donor representatives.

Staff capacity development

• Ensure that all key staff understand and can perform their roles to achieve excellence in delivery.
• Ensure that staff get adequate capacity development to effectively deliver on their roles.

To be a strong supporter and advocate for children in this role you will need to have.

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in any relevant field. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 8 years progressive experience in programme implementation with at least 5 of those years in a middle management position in an NGO.
• Thorough understanding of national poverty strategies as well as current national and international trends in global poverty and development.
• Child Protection Code of Conduct.
• Strong financial, planning, and budget management skills and experience.
• Strategic management skills.
• Diplomacy and confidentiality.
• Strong negotiation and effective interpersonal skills.
• Networking and policy development and policy engagement.
• Analytical skills.
• Experience working with local partners and Local Governments.
• Strong analytical skills and strategic planning abilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must.
• Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian response.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to intervene with crisis management or troubleshooting as necessary.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
• Excellent time management and planning capacity.
• Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian response.
• Commitment to Save the Children value