Job Description

The Senior Program Manager, in collaboration with the ECSC-SUN National Lead, ECSC-SUN Secretariat team and ECSC-SUN Regional Support platform leads will be responsible for the management of the ECSC-SUN’s work including managing sub-awards. S/he will provide technical leadership to ensure a holistic technical approach, guidance and coordination with other coalition member agencies to ensure nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive programs are cohesive and well managed.

S/he will engage with ECSC-SUN Steering Committee, ECSC-SUN member agencies, GoE Ministries, other SUN networks in the country to ensure smooth coordination and implementation of the coalition’s activities and supports GoE national food and nutrition related initiatives. In addition, the Sr. Program Manager will also provide support to the National Lead, regional lead and the steering committee for program management, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting tasks.

The Sr. Program Manager will also be expected to support with different role as given by the National Lead in setting up of youth leaders for nutrition platform through organizing different meetings with the national nutrition leaders network senior leadership and engaging nutrition leaders at regional levels. The Sr. Programme Manager will be expected to provide technical support to the different food and nutrition implementing Government sector bureaus, in aligning the planning, monitoring, budget allocation to emergent Food and Nutrition Strategy and programme. S/he will work to ensure quality ECSC-SUN programme implementation by regional lead agencies assigned to lead the establishment, coordination and implementation of the ECSC-SUN regional support platforms activities in Somali, Afar and Tigray regions. The position holder will also represent the coalition  at regional level and representing the coalition in different thematic areas. With the establishment of a Regional Civil Society Support platforms in Afar and Somali regions and strengthening in Tigray region, the Sr. Program Manager is expected to facilitate a series of meetings with regional leads, Regional Government officials and bureau staff to introduce the purpose and function of a civil society Regional Support Platform and coordinating efforts in moving the initiatives forward.

 The position holder is expected to coordinate the advocacy efforts to influence effective implementation of food and nutrition policy and its strategies and the national nutrition program by nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive sectors and regional leads stakeholders at national, regional and sub-regional levels for improved nutritional outcomes.

 S/he represents SC values and principles in interactions with staff and external audiences, including ECSC-SUN member technical and management staff members.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Management:

• Play the key leadership role and be responsible for overall implementation and management of all aspects of the programme as per the design to meet the intended ECSC-SUN programme objective, outcomes and outputs. That includes providing overall technical, administrative, operational, and logistical support to the ECSC-SUN regional leads, with a focus on achieving the key outcomes. 
• Provide technical support for regional leads for the start-up and implementation of the ECSC-SUN regional support platforms activities in Afar, Somali and Tigray regions through supportive supervision, mentoring, coaching, review meetings, capacity building and learning visits.
• In consultation National Lead of ECSC-SUN, develop concept notes, proposals and budgets to be submitted for potential donors; develops log frame, detailed implementation plan and M&E plan as part of the proposal package and revise proposals to accommodate comments from coalition members and donors. 
• Provide technical inputs to conduct mapping, capacity gap assessments and start-up of ECSC-SUN regional support platform; monitoring effective implementation of ECSC-SUN projects and ensure program performance is in line with the international and national standards.
• Follow and the implementation of the planned activities of ECSC SUN project like the completion of the development of the strategic plans which are contracted out to be done by consultants.
• Coordinate, facilitate and participate in ECSC- SUN General assembly, national and regional steering committee and thematic focus group meetings forums/meetings.
• Provision of support to regional food and nutrition implementing sectors and national nutrition program related demands raised by Regional Health Bureau and other food and nutrition implementing regional sectors.
• Provide technical support and coordinate the completion of National Food and Nutrition strategy finalization and initiate its implementation in Afar, Somali and Tigray regions.
• Provide technical support to Food and Nutrition council establishment process in Somali, Afar and Tigray regions through training and capacity building, as well as organizing workshops and meetings jointly with the regional leads that will be used to define the National Food and Nutrition Council’s strategic plan.
• Coordinate a series of meetings and workshops with ECSC-SUN regional lead agencies, Region Government officials and bureau staff in Afar and Somali regions to introduce the purpose and function of a civil society Regional Support Platform and establish Regional Civil Society Support platform.
• Lead the ECSC-SUN program’s financial and operational planning, including the joint annual work planning process with the regional leads and development of an appropriate exit strategy. Work closely with the ECSC-SUN secretariat technical team and field based ECSC-SUN regional support platform staff to ensure work plans are adequately resourced to deliver effectively.
• Regularly update detailed annual and periodic work plans with project implementation and ensure this is used by the ECSC-SUN regional support platform team and coalition members to monitor ECSC-SUN programme progress towards completion.
• Ensure approved project deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per the agreed schedule and formats and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled as specified in signed agreements.
• Provide management guidance and technical support to ECSC-SUN regional support platform team in order to ensure smooth and timely start-up and implementation of project activities as per the approved project plans.
• Coordinate, manage and motivate ECSC-SUN regional support platform teams, ensuring that they have clear objectives/individual work plans as part of performance management and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.  
• Engage in preparation of detailed implementation plan and phased budget for the project.
• Write-up of ECSC SUN project report and closely work with the Programme Director and Senior M&E, Research and KM specialist for timely submission to the donor.
• Contribute to learning and research that supports the coalition advocacy objectives
• Document and communicate programme achievements against agreed outcomes and milestones for a wide range of ECSC-SUN coalition members and external audiences. 
• Identify critical issues in the implementation of ECSC-SUN programme and take the necessary actions to address problems and constraints. 
• Travel frequently throughout the programme’s areas of intervention to monitor program implementation and provide managerial guidance.
• Ensure that relevant crosscutting issues are strategically mainstreamed in new ECSC-SUN projects; also ensuring relevant ECSC-SUN coalition member staff understand and are capacitated to take the issues forward
• Ensure that strategies for phasing out and closely followed during implementation

 Programme Quality and Effectiveness

• Working closely with the National lead, Sr. M&E, Research and KM Specialist, MEAL unit and technical specialists, ensure timely implementation of key assessment/ research activities of the project. That include providing ongoing monitoring and coordination of timely implementation of the assessment and research activities, and provide technical guidance to the ECSC-SUN regional leads and consultants, as needed. 
• In cooperation with National lead, Sr. M&E, Research and KM Specialist and Communication Specialist, ensure proper documentation of experiences and lessons learned from the ECSC-SUN programme under supervision.
• Coordinate with ECSC-SUN Secretariat technical team and MEAL focal person, and oversee that all field level interventions being led by the regional leads and related researches/ learning documentation is technically managed to a high standard.  
• Work closely with ECSC-SUN Secretariat technical team to provide technical and managerial support to the ECSC-SUN regional leads in reviewing and adapting strategies and project plans in view of changes in the internal and external operational environment.
• Work with ECSC-SUN Secretariat technical team and ensure timely and quality delivery of capacity building activities and other technical support for ECSC-SUN regional support staff and other stakeholders
• Collaborate with ECSC-SUN regional support teams ensure the ECSC-SUN Programme records and documentation are properly managed and compliant with organizational requirements and international best practices. 
• Ensuring guiding documents for project activities draw on international best practices and global research, lessons learned from the field-level and reflect implementation realities related to ECSC-SUN programme.
• Work with Sr. M&E, Research and KM Specialist and technical specialists to ensure development and continual revision of monitoring and evaluation system for the program linked to its strategies, indicators, and information management tools; which supports program management, accountability and learning. 
• Work with Sr. M&E, Research and KM Specialist and MEAL unit to contribute to the development of an M&E framework/ systems that monitors progress of activities and progress towards achievement of the program objectives and outcomes, with quality. That includes the identification and design of needs assessments, profiling exercises and other research initiatives, which contribute to enhancing knowledge on ECSC-SUN programme.
• Work with the ECSC-SUN secretariat technical team, ECSC-SUN regional support platform team and ensure proper understanding of cross-cutting issues among project staff (e.g., gender, child protection and safeguarding), and integration of same in the ECSC-SUN programme implementation
• Ensure monthly, quarterly and annual review is conducted to monitor progress and where appropriate take corrective measures.
• Review, edit and submit timely and quality written reports on the ECSC-SUN programme activities capturing impacts related to all activities.

Budget Management/ Budget Holding Responsibility

• In collaboration with ECSC-SUN National lead, Secretariat, award and finance staff, prepare annual project budgets based on the project budget proposal and ensure compliance with donor requirements; 
• Ensure that budget for the assigned projects accurately reflect anticipated costs of planned work at all times. 
• Ensure that the annual project budget is properly phased, mapped to the budget coding and uploaded on Agresso (Financial Management System), 
• Ensure effective and efficient utilization of project budget and other resources for intended purpose; monitor budget utilization and project expenditure as needed
• Ensure an integrated approach to ECSC-SUN programme implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different programmes.
• Exercise sound judgment to ensure project expenses are reasonable, allocable and prudent. Ensure all project funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations. 

 External representation

• Participate in relevant ECSC-SUN in regional coordination meetings and working groups and learning initiatives linked to the ECSC-SUN program
• Represent ECSC-SUN at all relevant regional technical external task forces, working groups, seminars or other nutrition coordination meetings and use these meetings to negotiate strategic and advocacy positions.
• Build and maintain ECSC-SUN’s relationships with ECSC member, other CSOs, donors, key stakeholder, government departments, development partners and UN donors working in the three regions
• Perform additional tasks and duties as and when required.

 SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals, takes responsibility for her/his own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, internal and external partners including ECSC SUN members and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

Job Requirements

In order to be successful you will bring/have:

• BSC degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or related field; Recommended a minimum of 10 years with very strong technical and program management experience in health and nutrition.
• Experience in working with regional government counterparts, COSs and other partners at various levels with more focus in Somali, Afar and Tigray regions within the framework of nutrition.
• Experience in program and budget management, monitoring, technical support, capacity-building and coordination
• Experience of coalition building, forum coordination and working with civil society actors to deliver change;
• Superior written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex arguments into accessible English for a non-specialist audience,
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, excellent understanding of the global nutrition movements, sustainable development goal,
• Good presentation, training and facilitation skills; fluency in spoken and written English; good computer skills (particularly Excel, Word and databases)
• Knowledge of Somali, Afar and or Tigrigna languages is advantageous
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Commitment to Save the Children values

COMPETENCIES 

SC Values are: Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. To meet the value system the post holder is expected to demonstrate the following Competencies on ongoing basis:

Leading

Leading and Inspiring Others: Demonstrate leadership in all our work, role models our values and articulates a compiling vision to inspire to achieve our goals for children

Delivering results: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organization.

Developing Self and Others: Invest time and energy to actively develop self and others to help realize their full potential and to build the organization capability for the further. 

Thinking

Problem solving and decision making: Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organisation and making appropriate judgements.

Innovating and Adapting: Develop and implement innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing uncertain work and global environment.

Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organisation.

Engaging (align with Collaboration, Creativity,  

Networking: Builds and use sustainable relationship to support the work of save the children 

Working effectively with others Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.

Communicating with Impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others.

The Organization

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

 We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

 We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

How to Apply

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at

 https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl 

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.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.