ROLE PURPOSE;

Reporting to the Deputy Country Director for Program Development, Quality and Impact the DPQI will be primarily responsible for leading the technical Thematic priorities and functions of the Country Office. As such the position holder will be responsible for ensuring high technical excellence through maintaining and leading high calibre and accountable technical teams in education; health & nutrition; food security, livelihoods and resilience; child protection and migration, child rights governance, advocacy and campaign. Within the framework of the Country Strategy, she/he will be responsible for overseeing the development and adaptation of thematic strategies that can guide the CO program towards SCI’s breakthroughs of ensuring the survival, learning/development and protection of children. She/he will drive high quality program development and implementation through the application of innovative approaches that can help address the needs, rights and problems of children in general and full application of SCI’s Programming Principles, Common Approaches, quality benchmarks, gender equality marker, accountability framework etc. in both humanitarian and development contexts. The job holder will be responsible to ensure quality delivery through development of technical capabilities of staff and partners, generating technically sound evidences and learnings of outcomes and impacts for internal program improvement actions and inform CO’s advocacy initiatives within all thematic priorities by working closely with CO’s MEAL, Advocacy and program.

A.KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:  

Strategic Planning

• Contribute to strategic development, periodic reviews and implementation of measures to ensure the realization of the strategy
•  Lead the development of thematic parts of the country and humanitarian strategies and plans 
•  Participate in conceptualizing and designing cost effective, innovative and high quality programs to serve difficult to reach children
•  Ensure that programs are relevant to children in Ethiopia and to the global program and advocacy objectives of the Save the Children members
• Ensure the identification, documentation, analysis and presentation of thematic issues or trends for strategic consideration of the CO leadership.
• and global SCI PQI team, donors, major stakeholders including SCI peers - measured by the level and outcomes of the relationships and engagement.
•  Ensure that the different technical thematic sectors of the Country Office are coordinated, integrated and support each other to optimize programs and projects

Technical Support

• Ensure that program development and quality assurances systems and tools are well understood, internalized and effectively rolled out by relevant programs
•  Working closely with his team, program implementation directors and managers ensure that the planning and undertaking of appropriate measures for developing technical competencies needed to rollout relevant program quality measures
•  Ensure that consistent, highly coordinated, relevant and impactful TE support plans developed and rolled out in all thematic areas
•   Ensure that technically sound and appealing evidences of good practices, successes and failures are consistently produced and disseminated internally for program improvement and externally as way of driving CO’s advocacy agendas.
•   Ensure the development and implementation of learning plans (learning questions, generate evidence of learning through application of relevant methods and tools, communication etc.) through its thematic teams and by collaborate working with CO MEAL team
• Ensure that all sectors apply a risk lens to program design and implementation in line with the Save the Children policies such as safeguarding, Disaster Risk Reduction etc.
•  Ensure the adaptation of digital solutions to advance efficiency, effectiveness and quality of programs in all sectors and contexts
• Ensure excellent coordination and cooperation with incoming technical advisors as well as surge teams during emergencies

Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure that the technical team works closely and collaboratively with CO MEAL in designing, adapting and implementation CO’s MEAL systems and frameworks
•   Ensure that thematic sectors utilize efficient and effective systems for measuring and presenting CSP milestones, major program indicators and initiatives 

Advocacy

• Ensure the development of strong technical evidences to back CO’s advocacy agendas by closely working with CO’s CRG, Advocacy and Campaign team.
•  Ensure the timely identification of key advocacy opportunities and events within the various sectors of the CO and present ideas and plans for early positioning of the CO
•  Ensure that Save the Children receives national recognition for achieving proven and innovative national impact from high quality child focused programs in both humanitarian and development contexts

Innovation

•  Oversee Save the Children Ethiopia's operational research programs, deliver existing projects and develop new ones. Ensure the publication of results by closely working with his team and CO’s Evidence and Learning team
•  Take part in disseminating information relating to the outcome of research projects widely and – in particular – to the Government and to other humanitarian and development actors
•  Ensure that thematic teams consistently identify opportunities for investing in innovative approaches, e.g. testing and rolling out innovations from other SCI Country Offices

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategic Planning

• Contribute to strategic development, periodic reviews and implementation of measures to ensure the realization of the strategy
•  Lead the development of thematic parts of the country and humanitarian strategies and plans
• Participate in conceptualizing and designing cost effective, innovative and high quality programs to serve difficult to reach children
•  Ensure that programs are relevant to children in Ethiopia and to the global program and advocacy objectives of the Save the Children members
•   Ensure the identification, documentation, analysis and presentation of thematic issues or trends for strategic consideration of the CO leadership.

Program Design and Development

• Ensure that appropriate and sound project/program design/development processes are followed and hence highly relevant, child focused, adaptable, impactful and quality proposals are developed
•  Oversee the participation of relevant internal and external stakeholders including children through application of relevant approaches and methodologies in development of CO’s projects, programs and strategies as appropriate
• Ensure the application of relevant SCI program principles, common approaches, quality benchmark, gender equity marker and other relevant quality considerations while designing and developing programs in all contexts (humanitarian or development)
• Ensure consistent design, methodology and quality assurance across thematic program
•  Ensure the execution of high profile and impact technical engagement of the CO with SC members, Regional and global SCI PQI team, donors, major stakeholders including SCI peers - measured by the level and outcomes of the relationships and engagement.
•   Ensure that the different technical thematic sectors of the Country Office are coordinated, integrated and support each other to optimize programs and projects

Technical Support

• Ensure that program development and quality assurances systems and tools are well understood, internalized and effectively rolled out by relevant programs
•  Working closely with his team, program implementation directors and managers ensure that the planning and undertaking of appropriate measures for developing technical competencies needed to rollout relevant program quality measures
•  Ensure that consistent, highly coordinated, relevant and impactful TE support plans developed and rolled out in all thematic areas
•  Ensure that technically sound and appealing evidences of good practices, successes and failures are consistently produced and disseminated internally for program improvement and externally as way of driving CO’s advocacy agendas.
•  Ensure the development and implementation of learning plans (learning questions, generate evidence of learning through application of relevant methods and tools, communication etc.) through its thematic teams and by collaborate working with CO MEAL team
• Ensure that all sectors apply a risk lens to program design and implementation in line with the Save the Children policies such as safeguarding, Disaster Risk Reduction etc.
•   Ensure the adaptation of digital solutions to advance efficiency, effectiveness and quality of programs in all sectors and contexts
•  Ensure excellent coordination and cooperation with incoming technical advisors as well as surge teams during emergencies

Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure that the technical team works closely and collaboratively with CO MEAL in designing, adapting and implementation CO’s MEAL systems and frameworks
•    Ensure that thematic sectors utilize efficient and effective systems for measuring and presenting CSP milestones, major program indicators and initiatives

Advocacy

•  Ensure the development of strong technical evidences to back CO’s advocacy agendas by closely working with CO’s CRG, Advocacy and Campaign team
•  Ensure the timely identification of key advocacy opportunities and events within the various sectors of the CO and present ideas and plans for early positioning of the CO
• Ensure that Save the Children receives national recognition for achieving proven and innovative national impact from high quality child focused programs in both humanitarian and development contexts

Innovation

•  Oversee Save the Children Ethiopia's operational research programs, deliver existing projects and develop new ones. Ensure the publication of results by closely working with his team and CO’s Evidence and Learning team
•  Take part in disseminating information relating to the outcome of research projects widely and – in particular – to the Government and to other humanitarian and development actors
•  Ensure that thematic teams consistently identify opportunities for investing in innovative approaches, e.g. testing and rolling out innovations from other SCI Country Offices

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Program Development and Quality

•  Ensure appropriate staffing within Program Development and Quality
•  Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an full spectrum programming
•  Manage thematic teams; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
• Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
•   Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process as per SCI’s global TE Competency Framework. Establish result based system and follow up.
• Oversee that all technical sector staff proactively build and maintain technical skills and competencies required for leading and/or advising first class programs – both development and emergency programs
•   Manage the performance of all staff in the Program Development and Quality work area through:
•  Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable 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 

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
•  Holds suppliers accountable to deliver on their responsibilities

Ambition:

•  Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and takes responsibility for their own personal development
•  Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
•  Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

•  Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
•  Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.
• Creativity:
•  Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
•  Cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach

Integrity:

•  Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence
•  Displays consistent excellent judgement

Job Requirements

• QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Recommended a minimum of 12 years program development and management experience in a corporate or an NGO environment, including experience directing implementing programs for children in both emergency and development contexts, preferably with solid experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, protection, rights governance, HIV/AIDs, health and nutrition, and emergencies
• Recognized leadership role in relevant technical areas at both field and country level
• Masters degree in Development Management or related fields
• Solid and senior level experience of program development and quality works leading senior technical teams
• Strong strategic abilities and experience within the child sector
• Proven conceptual and practical senior level experiences in managing and leading teams in all aspects of program cycle.
• Good analytical and writing skills. Effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross departmental and cross sector working
• Credibility to lobby, influence and represent Save the Children at all levels
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams, in emergencies
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches
• Fluency in written and spoken English

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 SCI’s global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Gender Equality Policies, supported by relevant 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.

Safeguarding our Staff:

• The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.

Health and Safety

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SC Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. The duty station of the position holder will be in Addis Ababa This role is offered on the basis of national terms and conditions only.

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 realize 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.

Application Information:

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 here

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.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the MINIMUM requirements should apply using the link