Overall Description:
Save the Children Federation, working with its sub-recipient World Vision International (WVI), is implementing the Livelihoods, Agriculture and Health Interventions in Action (LAHIA) project, a five-year, $29M integrated USAID funded Title II food security program in Niger concentrating efforts in the Maradi Department. The priority components of the program include reducing chronic malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women and children under five years of age with a focus on children under two as well as increasing local availability and access to nutritious food by diversifying agricultural productivity, rural households’ income and increasing resilience to shocks. Gender and environment are themes that run throughout all program interventions. Critical components also include coordination with other stakeholders and donor funded food security and resilience programming as well as identifying and capturing learning opportunities.
The LAHIA Chief of Party provides overall management leadership to the non-emergency Title II food security program at the country level, including managing the response to food and nutrition related emergencies which may occur in the target area, or as requested/instructed by Food for Peace. The Chief of Party is accountable for both the quality of programs in the portfolio, compliance to USAID regulations and SC policies and procedures, and for the effective programmatic, financial and operational management and reporting thereof. S/he will serve as the management leader and coordinator of a team of agricultural, income generation, MCHN, WASH, disaster prevention and/or risk reduction specialists implementing activities that will be integrated within communities to improve synergistic effects and provide greater impact. The Chief of Party will also serve as the primary field liaison with Ministry government representatives, donors, partner agencies and local institutions and communities as well as with the FFP and program-related USAID Mission staff. S/he will have a critical role coordinating with other Title II programs in country as well as other resilience and food security programming, with a particular focus on learning opportunities and knowledge management. S/he will be expected to play a pivotal role in the development of future funding proposals.
Key Functions:
General/Representational
- Ensure overall program success and that activities are effectively contributing to the overall goal and intermediate results of the program; the program should be working within a clear and transparent theory of change which is understood by all staff.
- Maintain critical oversight of high risk areas, including, but not limited to: commodity management, procurements, monitoring and evaluation and environmental compliance, and staff security.
- Direct transparent communications with project partners, including negotiating scopes of work, addressing requisite revisions in program work, and troubleshooting issues that may arise. Maintain communications with donor representatives and key stakeholders; maintain relationships with national government agencies related to program scope in order to foster support for the project and ensure identification of advocacy issues, development of advocacy plans and strategies, and their proper implementation with the government and other key stakeholders.
- Maintain focus on SC program principles and ensure the same of project staff.
- Encourage teamwork, openness, and honesty among District staff and between SC and its partners.
- Remain up-to-date regarding current Save the Children International (SCI) and Save the Children US rules, regulations and expectations and ensure that they are being correctly implemented on the project.
- Represent SC and the food security program in USAID donor meetings and with representatives from USAID Food for Peace Office and the Government of Niger; maintain good working relationships with officials.
- Ensure regular, transparent, equitable and timely communications with subrecipient(s).
- Represent SC and maintain good working relationships among the international and local NGO community, among community leadership structures and community-based organizations, and to visiting donor teams and other key contacts. Keep abreast of NGO, government, and donor initiatives relevant to SC’s work.
Program Implementation
- Ensure the smooth running of all non-emergency Title II program activities, including livelihood, health and nutrition, WASH, and commodity management. Promote close collaboration between technical teams and integration of key concepts across sector activities.
- Ensure program implementation meets SC HQ and donor expectations for quality, timeliness, and compliance.
- Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are in place for use in program implementation as well as reporting; ensure that program is also meeting the requirements for mitigation and monitoring and as approved in the Initial Environmental Examination/Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan.
Financial and Administrative Oversight
Financial
- Ensure that efficient systems are in place to support all financial and grant management and that procurements effectively use project resources in compliance with USAID regulations.
- Ensure the team implements quality programming in a cost-effective manner.
- Oversee the timely expenditure of approved budgets, avoiding both under spending and overspending on grant line items.
- Supervise key personnel and other critical staff as defined by the scope of the project.
Administration and Reporting
- Oversee the dissemination of reports related to project activities; ensure that both SCI Country Office and SCUS have copies of relevant reports, approvals and communications with donor.
- Coordinate with SCUS on issues of LAHIA award management and reporting.
- Ensure that financial practices support Save the Children’s accountability to the donor and that financial reports are timely and complete.
- Ensure development and submission of donor required reports, including, but not limited to, work plans, quarterly reports, annual results reports, financial and commodity related reports. Ensure close coordination with SCI Country Office and SCUS to ensure appropriate levels of support are included in proposed budgets.
Human Resources
- Supervise program staff, with direct supervisory responsibility of DCOP and Field Operations Manager. Working with country office, ensure that the program is compliant with local labor laws and SC policies and procedures. Ensure that all food security staff are aware of and understand SC policies and procedures; take appropriate disciplinary measures as needed.
- Promote a non-discriminatory environment and productive work environment; promote gender equity within both program operations as well as program activities.
- Promote staff capacity building; working with senior managers, identify gaps and implement solutions.
Qualifications:
- Masters degree in international development, agriculture or related field
- 7-10 years progressively advanced management experience in field based food security and emergency programming.
- Experience in managing large field programs with multiple local and international partners, with expertise in scaling up programs in complex environments, including demonstrated skills in strategic planning, management, and budgeting
- Familiarity with USAID regulations and policies
- Demonstrated skills in leadership and supervision, with an ability to develop a common vision among partners and lead and be a member of multi-disciplinary teams
- Proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders
- Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource constrained environment
- Strong analytical skills and excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
- Sense of humor and ability to deal with ambiguity
- French language skills required
- Prior Title II program management experience preferred
HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply directly at the Save the Children USA website:https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SAVETHECHI...
