Sierra Leone: Program Director (Sierra Leone)

Active participant in the generation & development of winning grant proposals

• Work with the Grants Manager to analyze the donor environment, resource mobilization trends & lead in the definition of a comprehensive strategy for grant development.
• Work with the Grants Manager to design & prepare winning grant proposals that both support ChildFund Sierra Leone strategic direction & capitalize on opportunities.
• Coordinate the implementation of grant projects nationally and manage national office reporting responsibilities.
• Manage the range of multi-disciplinary technical contractors that backstop project execution.
• Represent ChildFund Sierra Leone at the highest level through strategic, timely and effective donor liaison.
• Ensure Local Partners are contributing effectively to the realization of program results for children

Lead the implementation of grant projects, and line manage all programming.

• Supervision and management of all program staff; Agree to work plans, and monitor accomplishments.
• Serve as line manager on budget expenditure authorization and documentation.
• Ensure that agency policies and procedures are kept at all times.
• Champion the holistic/integrated programming approach & promote ChildFund’s agenda for children at all times.
• Coordinate sharing of resources and activities (vehicles, equipment, technical assistance, training etc.) to promote efficient & effective utilization and to share experience across program areas.
• Serve as the conduit between the field & Freetown office for information, documentation and special activity requests from other units.

Document & disseminate best program practices from within the National Office, and from other organizations in order to promote quality & learning

• Coordinate the preparation of quarterly & annual reports. Support program areas in accomplishing annual objectives through monitoring, advice, problem-solving and supportive supervision.
• Document all relevant best practices & disseminate in a timely manner.
• Program innovations are regularly implemented. Lessons learned from best program practices are adapted and implemented within the National Office.
• Project evaluations are implemented as required with results & findings incorporated into program planning and shared learning.
• Best program practices of similar organizations operating in the country are regularly benchmarked & incorporated into local Country operations.
• Information flow with other countries and the Headquarters (Richmond) meets operating requirements and promotes cooperation, teamwork and the values and Mission of ChildFund.

Build Productive & professional linkages between ChildFund’s Program and relevant activities of other organizations (governmental ministries, bi- and multi-lateral agencies, other INGOs & NGOs, etc.):

• Represent ChildFund in relevant forums & meetings for resource mobilization, visibility, partnership, sharing & learning.
• Represent ChildFund as an active member of relevant networks, & ensure that ChildFund takes a leading role in one or more of these networks, leading to positive recognition and visibility within the country.
• Lessons learned from these activities are adapted & implemented within ChildFund Sierra Leone.

Manage & develop Program Area Staff

• Ensure that all program staff members actively participate in the annual performance management process, in coaching, monitoring & assessing.
• Provide staff training and development opportunities that can result to professional growth.
• Ensure that program staff promote organizational values, and ardors teamwork, empowerment, risk-taking, customer responsiveness & communication.
• Help program staff to fully understand and comply with the internal operating policies and procedures
• Develop and maintain short & long term Human Resource plans in accordance with established guidelines.

Manage & Support in-country operations network for learning & improvement

• Develop & maintain an institutionalized system that supports program quality.
• Train all relevant program staff members to possess the requisite knowledge and skills to perform all assigned job responsibilities.
• Ensure that integrated program approaches in country are harmonized as appropriate, based on ChildFund’s Mission, Core Intents and Strategic Directions; and the results of the organizational learning and networking.

Participate in the country management team as key player in ensuring that:

• Participation in the NO Senior Management Team (SMT) is open, cooperative, proactive & productive
• Actions of the SMT contribute to instilling a sense among Country staff members that they are working for the larger organization.
• Operational integration and teamwork between core program units in the country results in cost savings & high quality services.
  
• Required Skills
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, social and political issues.
• Conflict management and ability to pragmatically solve problems, plan a course of action using analytical, conceptual, strategic and forward thinking abilities to achieve an effective resolution
• Highly developed analytical skills and the ability to assimilate and process information on a wide range of issues
• Experience Required
• 7+ years’ experience managing development programs in an NGO, preferably in a senior management role
• Demonstrated technical expertise in such areas as: project, budget and resource management
• Demonstration of knowledge of program design; grant acquisition and management; resource stewardship, and cross functional coordination
• Experience in resource mobilization, coordination and negotiation and social policy

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or above in community development/social science discipline or equivalent relevant work experience; advanced degree preferred

Please apply directly at:
http://childfund-hr.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=302583&company_id=15818&jobboardid=479