Niger: Director of Program Development and Quality ( DPDQ)

TITLE: Director of Program Development and Quality (DPDQ)
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Senior Management Team, Niger
LOCATION: Niamey, with regular travel to field sites
GRADE: T3
CONTRACT LENGTH: 2 Years

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: (select only one)

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

ROLE PURPOSE:
As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in Niger, the DPDQ is responsible for driving the country office strategic plan and theory of change. They are also responsible for ensuring strategic development of high quality, evidence based, innovative full spectrum programs that deliver immediate and lasting change for children and contribute to Save the Children’s global Breakthroughs: Learn, Survive, Be Protected. One of key aspects of the role is ensuring capacity building, mentoring and coaching of technical advisors in order to build strong PDQ department.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Country Director

Niamey National MEAL Specialist, Education Specialist, Health Senior Program Manager, Child Protection Specialist, Child Rights Governance Specialist, Child Poverty Specialist, and any other technical specialist.

Role Dimensions:
The DPDQ plays a key role in defining and pursuing the strategic direction for Save the Children’s programs in Niger, ensuring the relevance, strategic coherence, and impact of our programs for children in all context. This is a challenging role in a complex environment requiring a dedicated, experienced and highly motivated individual who can operate in a high profile environment. S/he has specific oversight for strategy and program development in all context, and ensuring that programs demonstrate thematic excellence in contributing to Save the Children’s three priority breakthroughs for children: no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday; all children learn from a quality basic educatio n; and violence against children is no longer tolerated.

The DPDQ works with thematic specialists and advisors to develop evidence-based strategies, programs and projects, to strengthen program integration, and to spearhead advocacy and campaigning initiatives. S/he takes a lead in establishing systems for program monitoring, quality improvement, accountability, evaluation and learning, and in ensuring that learning and results are captured, shared and used to inform programs. The Director leads the Country Office in developing and carrying out its partnership strategy with national NGOs and other strategic partners. As a senior leader in the country office s/he plays a representational role with the government, donors, partners and others. The DPDQ has the responsibility to build the capacity of, mentor and coach SC teams and individual staff in areas related to PDQ, ensuring the development of a strong national team. S/he works closely with PDQ and thematic leaders from across Save the Children to facilitate strategic alignment and to maximize synergies.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

Strategy and Planning
* Provide leadership, strategic vision, coherence and direction to the country program as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT)
* Lead on the SMT to drive forward the Country Strategic Plans (CSP) by coordinating input for the development and review of CSP’s across departments
* Facilitate the development and pursuit of thematic, cross-cutting strategic priorities and Gender Equality Policy to guide current and future SC programming.
* Position SC as the leading organization for children's issues in the country, with child rights at the core of all programming and advocacy work
* Lead the development/updating of the Country Program Strategies and Country Annual Plans and Reports by conducting a Child Rights Situation Analysis and ensuring participation and buy-in from all relevant staff, partners and other stakeholders as necessary
* Support development of cross-team coordination mechanisms to ensure effective collaboration and integration across key programs (e.g. program operations, advocacy) and related departments (e.g. awards, local fundraising)

Ensuring evidence based programme and project design
* Ensure that the country office has high quality, cost-effective and evidence based multi-sector programs reflecting SC’s global initiatives and theory of change
* Ensure programmes in the design process have a strong evidence base resulting from learning via needs assessments and situational analyses
* Ensure all thematic strategies include key global indicators to guide programme development, and holistic needs of children and communities are considered
* Balance needs/requests of SC members, donors and external partners to ensure quality results in programming
* Ensure that relevant technical and other teams such as Advocacy and Communications receive regular timely and quality programme inputs to help guide their strategies and promote effective cross-thematic collaboration
* Ensure discussion on innovation, policy making and bringing in external stakeholders to foster innovation
* Introduce innovative approaches to secure flexible funding and turn ineffective programmes into effective programmes with a focus on improving programme quality
* Work closely with the Awards Director on fundraising strategies in the CO by setting fundraising targets, coordinating regional offices and members to get first funding in and generate new opportunities
* Work closely with the Director of Operations, lead SCI Niger’s operational research programs, deliver existing research projects and develop new ones.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning (MEAL) and Knowledge management
* Oversee the development of a monitoring system that provides timely and accurate project results by embedding MEAL across programme implementation
* Ensure high quality evaluations are conducted to demonstrate outcomes and impact and accountability mechanisms are in place for all projects with a focus on knowledge management
* Ensure regular data collection and meaningful analyses, establishment of accountability and learning mechanisms, with regular dissemination of strategic information to SMT and other relevant staff to drive learning and improve program quality
* Ensure effective collaboration between MEAL staff, Technical advisors and Thematic specialists in the development of sector log frames, indicators, implementation plans, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks and related tools
* Develop key research questions with technical experts and ensure evidence generation in programmes with a focus on learning and recommendations from those programmes
* Support capacity development of MEAL staff, maximizing their role as trainers and facilitators of quality standards in project design, monitoring and evaluation for the country office and hold team accountable for development and use of quality benchmarks
* Participate in project kick-offs for significant awards to ensure effective strategic direction and project close-outs to gather learning and share results
Thematic Expertise, capacity building and quality assurance
* Monitor and advance technical and operational quality of field programmes across all themes and accountable for results and sustainability of programme outcomes
* Ensure effective working relationships with SC global and regional technical advisors, procuring technical support as needed to support program and advocacy efforts
* Ensure relevant technical support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with humanitarian principles and standards during emergencies.
* Ensure the development of regular thematic working groups, and facilitate cross-thematic learning
* Support capacity development of thematic advisors, maximizing their role as technical support providers to field teams and local project partners
* Ensure that Technical Specialists engage in larger communities of practice to link with the most relevant and evidence-based approaches and conduct timely and useful review of project reports to support quality reporting for Members and donors
* Integrate and mainstream SC programmes from different country offices to develop a holistic approach in achieving SC breakthroughs
Advocacy and Communications
* Represent Save the Children and network with government authorities, donors, partners and other stakeholders to promote SC objectives and build relationships to facilitate success of our projects
* Lead on advocacy initiatives that promote to national government, civil society and political leaders, child rights and governance and work to influence policy and legislation in the best interests of children
* Ensure that learning from the field contributes to development and implementation of national programs and advocacy initiatives and programs scaled-up by the government to widen reach
* Work closely with the communications team to develop a communications strategy and supporting materials that align with CO advocacy and campaigning objectives. (In case Communications is part of Advocacy)

Senior leadership function
* Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects SC’s full spectrum mandate and values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a cross -team culture of learning, creativity and innovation in a productive work environment, and frees up people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent service for our members and donors
* Ensure Country Office complies with the SC Quality Framework Essential Standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS)
* Interface with Members to effectively execute strategy and build effective donor relationships

Strategic partnership development
* Support the Operations Department in the proper analysis of potential partners using documented selection methods, to ensure compliance with Save the Children standards and donor requirements and regulations

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development
* Ensure appropriate staffing within PDQ team and the sub office staff and ensure all staff understand and are able to perform their role
* Manage PDQ team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, evaluate reports regularly
* Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff is appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff. Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.
* Work closely with the Human Resources team, provide recommendations on key technical competencies and related capacity building support and training for program staff as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS
* Masters Degree in relevant social science, human rights, development studies, NGO management or equivalent fields
* A minimum of seven years of progressive senior management and/or development experience in a corporate or an NGO environment, including experience directing and implementing programs for children
* Experience in more than one of Save the Children's thematic sectors: education, child protection, child rights governance, health and nutrition, child poverty, emergencies
* Knowledge of New Business Development, members and donors and their environments and a basic understanding of advocacy, policy, and reform in the host country
* Credibility to lobby, influence and represent Save the Children at all levels
* Experience working with high level government agencies and academics on issues related to children
* Strong skills and proven experience in new program development, project design, and donor proposal design with corporate, foundations and institutional donors
* Strong skills and proven experience in leading strategic planning, change management and program management processes; also from the knowledge and learning perspective
* Developing and managing monitoring, evaluation and learning systems
* Excellent listening, inter-personal, communication and networking skills; and an ability to work with diversified populations
* Skills such as training, capacity building, coaching, mentorship, problem solving, and analytical and an understanding of project cycle management and coordination
* High level of self-awareness and willingness to take criticism as an opportunity for growth and self-development
* Ability to research, write and represent well, manage time, multi-task and delegate tasks

French & English skills required

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.

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.

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

Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

Application URL:https://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YS50YW1iYS42NTA5OC4zODMwQHNhdmV0aGVjaGlsZHJlbmFvLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ