Objective of Programme:
The oil, gas and power industry in Ghana is new and is currently entirely off shore of the Western region. However the expectation that the industry will bring economic, social and environmental impact is high especially among residents of the six coastal districts namely: Jomoro, Ellembelle, Nzema East, Ahanta West, Sekondi/Takoradi and Shama. To address some of these expectations, companies are undertaking social investment initiatives aimed at improving their engagement with communities and stakeholders.
Based on experience and lessons learnt from other countries, these investments while driven with good intentions can be viewed with mistrust because they are seen as “top down” and self-interested. What is needed is a mechanism to ensure an integrated local approach based on credible and transparent data generated by trusted parties to inform each investment with clear pathways to sustainability and social and economic return on investment.
Department for International Development (DFID) is funding Western Region Coastal Foundation (WRCF) programme. This 5 year project (2014 – 2019), implemented by DAI, is based in Sekondi-Takoradi and aims to improve stability and development prospects in the Western Region. This will be achieved through a two-pronged approach; 1) improving relationships between the oil and gas companies and coastal communities through a Dialogue Platform, and; 2) channelling Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to priority sectors that demonstrate real potential for providing economic opportunities for communities in the region.
Scope of Work:
The Director of Programmes (DoP) will support the Team Leader in delivering the programme and ensuring that results are achieved. S/he will have direct responsibility for the oversight and supervision of the delivery of 4 programme components (the Coastal Foundation, Dialogue Platform, Private Sector Development activities, M&E and Communications), including the management of core programme delivery staff.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Specific responsibilities for the DoP will include:
Managing workplan delivery:
- Oversee the day-to-day implementation of the programme work plan.
- Track progress against plans ensuring efficient, effective and timely delivery; report to the Team Leader and Home Office Project Management team on progress and identify any potential areas for support.
- Working closely with the Team Leader, lead periodic review and planning sessions on WRCF strategy and workplan, including individual / sub-workplans.
- Manage partnership agreements with oil, gas and power companies.
- Supervise the implementation of WRCF interventions; guide the work of the component leads and technical specialists; and oversee partnerships.
- For all approved pilot interventions, review and approve appropriate criteria and schedules for scale-up or close-down decisions, including approximate calendars.
- Identify resources needed to successfully implement programme activities. Draft terms of reference and support recruitment as required for long and short term positions.
- Liaise with and manage inputs of WRCF subcontractors.
- In consultation with the Team Leader, oversee the maintenance and any required updating of the WRCF log frame.
Team Management:
- Directly supervise all section leads, each of which manage a number of component staff.
- Support the development of performance plans and conduct periodic performance reviews for directly reporting staff, in line with WRCF’s human resource policy. Ensure that section heads perform these reviews for their reporting staff members.
- Inspire staff to perform well and assist them to improve by identifying and arranging appropriate formal and informal training.
Financial Oversight:
- Working together with the Head of Operations, help develop and monitor programme, activity and implementing partner budgets to ensure expenditure is within contract parameters and that we adhere to VfM principals.
- With support of the operations team, oversee the financial management of the endowment fund.
Quality Assurance:
- Assist the Team Leader to ensure high quality performance of the programme and that strong client scores are achieved (at least A with annual reviews and 75 points in Key Supplier Management score);
- Lead weekly update meetings with all section leads;
- Support the programme’s collaboration with the programme evaluators;
- Ensure all deliverables produced are in line with DAI and client quality standard and laws governing Foundation operations.
Stakeholder relationship management/communications:
- Support the Team Leader in building and maintaining good working relationships with the client and other stakeholders.
- Direct the planning and establishment of procedures and controls for effective communication by the Foundation with implementing partners and external audiences;
- Oversee/approve the communications and branding functions for the Foundation;
- Create a knowledge hub to evaluate the extent to which projects funded demonstrate impact.
Other:
- In the absence of the Team Leader, act as Team Leader for the entire WRCF programme.
- Coordinate preparation of Quarterly and Annual Reports to DFID and ensure that these adhere to DFID standards;
- Review STTA mission reports as instructed by the Team Leader;
- Additional tasks as requested by the Team Leader.
Qualifications:
- 12 or more years of experience working in development, with at least six years’ experience of managing delivery of complex programmes
- At least six years’ experience managing large programme teams (i.e. at least five to ten people)
- Experience in managing challenge funds or grants programmes
- Excellent communication skills
- Understanding of key approaches to monitoring and evaluation and the delivery of value for money for donor client
- Experience working in Ghana or West Africa
- Experience working on DFID funded programmes and understanding of oil, gas and power sector would be a strong advantage
- Fluency in English (both written and oral) is essential
Timeline:
Start date: 23rd October 2015
End date: 23rd October 2017 (with a possible extension for another year)
Supervision:The Director of Programmes will report on a regular basis to the ProjectProgramme Location:Takoradi, with travel to the other 5 coastal districts as required
Application Deadline: 16th September 2015
