State Programme Manager - Save the Children

JOB DESCRIPTION: STATE PROGRAMME MANAGER

 

Job Title: State Programme Manager (Job Code SPM-R)

 

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan

 

Last date to send the applications: 25^th March 2014

 

E-mail Id to send the applications: jobs@savethechildren.in

 

Job Purpose

Provide management support to and build the capacity of the State office staff to ensure that Save the Children India programme goals, objectives and policies are successfully implemented through the projects /programmes at the state level.

 

Act as an interface between the National Office of SC India and the state programme team, key stakeholders at the state including Govt. departments and NGO Partners.

 

Work as a member of the Programme Team consistently and in a coordinated manner with DoP, DPD and heads of other functions (Knowledge Management (KM), Advocacy Communications & Campaigns (ACC), Resource Mobilization (RM) including National Thematic Managers and Project Directors at Delhi (HO) to increase the programme portfolio, ensuring quality and measuring programme & quality, HR strength and strong advocacy initiatives lead by the state programme office.

 

General Responsibilities

•         Contribute to the development and strengthening of a single programme in line with Save the Children India’s strategic objectives at the National level.

•         Contribute to strengthening co-ordination and collaboration within and across programme and other teams, ensuring constructive communications, building team morale (within individual teams and within the whole organisation).

•         Contribute to development of a positive working environment including supporting and collaborating with other Unit members as required and requested.

•         Support organisational initiatives including operationalization of the strategy and other national level priorities.

•         Promote and protect the reputation of Save the Children in external settings at the state, district and block level, ensuring that the organisation’s experience and expertise is well communicated and consistently presented.

•         Coordinate/assist/ lead in emergency response as and when required.

•         Monitor and report on safety and security issues in the respective state offices.

 

Specific responsibilities

 

1. Programme development, monitoring & strengthening.

•         Ensure the provision of high quality technical advice and support through National Thematic managers with regard to programme development to programme co-ordinators and partners.

•         Ensure that all proposals contribute to the overall and specific strategic objectives set out in the strategy of Save the Children India in a meaningful and qualitative way.

•         Ensure coherent integration of thematic initiatives that reflects the organisations’ approach to programming and facilitate effective impact monitoring and evaluation with KM team.

•         In coordination with the ACC Unit support the development of a coherent advocacy strategy, including information and communications, and oversee its implementation.

•         Ensure effective data collection and reporting systems is in place both at state and partner levels.

•         Support linkages with other programmes in India especially in terms of exchanging learning and experiences.

 

2. State office Management:

•         Provide leadership to the state office and directly manage the programme team in state/s and ensure achievement of programme goals in a cost-effective and timely manner

•         Ensure that programme/ project coordinators are effectively managed and provided with appropriate, timely and practical support in designing, developing and delivering programmes of a high quality.

•         Ensure that administrative and other support is provided to staff reporting functionally to other units at the national office.

•         Ensure that programmes/ projects in the state are fully compliant with SC India, GOI/ and donor procedures and policies.

•         Develop and support Programme/Project coordinators’ capacity to meet their responsibilities, facilitate their appropriate professional development in line with countrywide HRD plans.

•         Ensure that consistent management approaches and effective systems are established and functioning in the state offices and tools and mechanisms are developed to facilitate effective/efficient management and quality programming.

•         In case of directly implemented projects, ensure that project personnel, relevant systems and procedures and support from National Managers are in place.

•         In coordination with the RM team actively engage in fundraising at state level; communicate and negotiate with donors and programme partners as requested by the [PD, DPD, and RM Team.

•         Network and liaise with external stakeholders including Government Departments and other likeminded organizations at state and district level.

•         Identify opportunities and contribute to undertaking advocacy initiatives at state and district levels in coordination with the ACC Team.

 

3. Partner Management:

•         Identify suitable partners for achieving the vision and mission of Save the Children India in the state.

•         Ensure proper selection process, on-going monitoring and support of NGO Partners.

•         Identify appropriate projects with partners in line Save the Children India’s Strategic objectives, and development of appropriate proposals for approval.

•         Through programme coordinators and finance coordinators closely monitor the partners through monthly field visits and reports the projects to ensure achievement of envisaged objectives.

•         Review and recommend partner proposals, operational plans, including budgets and obtain approval for these from the DoP.

•         Identify capacity enhancement measures for partners.

•         Ensure all partners implementing projects /programmes are fully compliant with SC India, GOI/ and donor procedures and policies.

 

4. Budget:

•         Prepare and submit annual budget for approval to National office.

•         Monitor state office budget, partner budget and project budgets and take actions for overspends and under spends as necessary and appropriate.

•         Ensure that monthly finances at state office are closed on time and uploaded into the system.

 

5. Compliance internal & external:

•         Ensure that all programmes under purview are fully compliant with SC India, GOI/ and donor procedures and policies

•         Ensure all staff, vendors, contractors, consultants and other relevant stakeholders are compliant with SC India’s policies and practices, including the Child Safeguarding Policy.

•         Ensure all grants are managed efficiently and reports are submitted on time (monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual) to relevant Sections.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

Education

Post Graduate Degree/ Diploma in development or social field

Experience

At least 7-9 years of experience in managing/ coordinating development projects, including at a State / National representational level

Professional Competencies

•         Good project management skills

•         Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills

•         Excellent report writing skills

•         Good understanding of cultural, social, and political issues

•         Ability to work long hours and under pressure, when necessary

•         Sound IT skills: word processing, spreadsheet, email

•         Strong knowledge of education / protection / health an advantage

•         Commitment to and understanding of SC BR’s aims, values and principles

Personal Attributes

•         Articulate and passionate champion of child rights

•         Good relationship building, able to get things done at all levels

•         Positive attitude

•         High energy and enthusiastic

•         Innovative, self starter

•         Strong influencing skills

•         Strong team skills.   Willing to cooperate with others and work in a participatory manner

to achieve established goals

•         High level of professionalism in conduct

•         Willingness to abide by Save the Children’s Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy

 

Interested candidates are requested to mention the job code in the subject line and send their CV as an attachment at jobs@savethechildren.in

 

Save the Children aims to be an equal opportunity employer. Women candidates are encouraged to apply. Recruitment and selection procedures & checks reflect our commitment to protect children from abuse.