Programme Director – Sierra Leone

About the role:

This is a 24 month, replacement role with accompanied terms based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with frequent travel to the programme sites with an annual salary at Grade 5 from €50,107 to €55,674.

You

You will report to the CD, will line manage programme staff, and work closely with systems staff. We would like you to start in October 2024.

Your purpose:

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Concern’s multi-sectoral development programme in Sierra Leone. Reporting to the Country Director, as Programme Director, you will help develop and deliver Concern’s results focused long-term development and resilience programmes, with a particular focus on our innovative work in health, livelihoods, climate adaptation, and education. You will lead, support and develop an experienced and hardworking team comprising both national and international staff. You will help to maintain and build excellent relationships with communities, donors, partners and the Sierra Leonean government. You will lead the country office in our localization journey, supporting our systems change work with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and supporting the growth and development of national NGO partners. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) you will contribute to the management of the overall country programme with specific responsibility for ensuring programme development, programme quality and the delivery of results in relation to Concern in Sierra Leone’s Country Strategic Plan.

Reports To: Country Director

Direct line reports: Health Coordinator, WASH & Emergency Coordinator, Livelihoods Coordinator, Programme Development and Quality Coordinator, Business Development & Knowledge Capitalization manager and Advocacy & Communications Officer.

Liaises With: Country Financial Controller, Operations Director, Area Coordinators, Consortium Team Lead (and other Sierra Leone and head office staff as necessary).

You will be responsible for:

Programme Development and Implementation:

• Implement all development (and humanitarian) programmes to a high standard of quality in line with donor requirements and Concern policies and strategies
• Ensure the effective integration of different sectors within area-based programmes to maximize impact wherever possible;
• Coordinate the monitoring of progress against the Country Strategic Plan and Programme level Results Frameworks.
• Design new programmes (proposals, budgets, work plans, procurement plans, etc.) with support from the Business Development and Knowledge Capitalisation Lead, in line with Concern’s Global Strategic Plan, Country Strategic Plan and National Government Priorities.
• Monitor likely hazards that could give rise to humanitarian emergencies and actively work with programme team to reduce risk, ensure preparedness, and coordinate response (if needed).
• Work with the Country Management team to develop and maintain a funding strategy to ensure future funding streams are identified and developed.

Management of Programme Team:

• Continually foster the team spirit and collaboration necessary to achieve programme and organizational goals in Sierra Leone.
• Work with the HR function and key managers, lead on staff recruitment and retention processes (capacity building, career development, etc.) in relation to programme staff.
• Directly manage line reports, effectively utilizing the PDR process to develop objectives, monitor performance and actively supporting staff to build their skills & experience.
• Ensure that all programme staff receive full inductions upon joining Concern and that they fully understand Concern’s policies and procedures e.g. Code of Conduct & Associated Policies.
• Support and ensure effective collaboration and teamwork between programme and support system staff/teams to achieve our common goals & objectives.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

• Support the PDQ Coordinator to maintain an effective MEL System in line with organizational guidelines, donor commitments and programme design.
• Ensure that programme implementation is guided by evidence-based decision-making and that effective planning and review processes are in place.
• Undertake regular monitoring visits to programme areas and provide feedback to programme staff and management – with a focus on ensuring integration of programme delivery efforts.
• Ensure research goals are embedded within the Sierra Leone programme, that effective research takes place, and that findings are considered and integrated throughout implementation.
• Ensure learnings and best practice are effectively disseminated with internal and external stakeholders and contribute to policy change and/or uptake of recommendations by others.

Donor and Grant Management:

• Track programme implementation progress, programme context and provide regular updates to Country Director and SMT.
• Coordinate with programme managers, finance and support departments to ensure timely grant utilization and full compliance with donor requirements.
• Develop and monitor programme budgets with programme and finance staff, tracking programme expenditure through monthly management and quarterly financial review.
• Develop an annual reporting calendar for programmes and lead in ensuring that good quality reports are submitted in line with donor requirements.
• Develop high quality donor proposals to meet the funding requirements of programmes.

Representation and Partnership:

• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, in particular donors, government representatives, research institutions, and counterparts from International and National NGOs
• Work with the Advocacy and Communications Officer to develop clear advocacy strategy and a communications plan including development of materials and dissemination.
• Create a partnership approach and clear localization benchmarks for the Sierra Leone country programme, building on our existing work with government, private sector and national NGOs
• Ensure Concern Sierra Leone is a good partner, working transparently with national partners and contributing consistently to developing their capacity.

Accountability:

• Promote and ensure all work is carried out in line with organisation policies including safeguarding and protection, the Core Humanitarian Standard and equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern’s Feedback and Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM) and ensure that information about Concern’s commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities
• Ensure that the FCRM is functional, effectively implemented and accessible in all programmes’ locations, enabling safe reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns
• Ensure that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner; ensure that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are handled with utmost confidentiality and that the safety of the complainants and those affected is prioritised at all stages.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to the overall leadership of Concern’s country programme in Sierra Leone:

• Active participate in Senior Management meetings, contributing significantly to decisions on policy, processes and strategic direction.
• Ensure that the policies and strategies of Concern Worldwide are incorporated into our work and contribute to the ongoing development of existing policies and strategies.
• Play a prominent role in supporting the Country Director maintain and develop best standards of practice in relation to code of conduct and safeguarding.
• Effectively promote the work of Concern with external stakeholders – government, donors, UN agencies, other NGOs, etc. – as required.
• Adhere fully to safety and security protocols and procedures and promote the adherence of all members of the programme team. Contribute to ongoing safety management and planning where necessary.
• Undertake other related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the Country Director

Your skills and experience will include:

• Relevant Master’s degree qualification (development studies, agriculture, social science, gender studies, education, health, economics, rural development etc.)
• At least 5 years’ overseas experience with an INGO with a focus on programming and 2-3 years at senior management level in development focused multi sector interventions
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation and research techniques, accountability to beneficiaries and inclusion
• Experience in working with national partners (NGOs, government, private sector) on implementation and capacity building.
• Experience in managing gender sensitive/gender transformative programing
• Experience/Knowledge of programme participant protection and safeguarding.
• Excellent management/leadership experience
• Proven record in proposal development and resource mobilization
• Strong financial management experience
• Good experience in networking, team building and mentoring
• Strong staff management and development skills including Training, coaching and mentoring skills and ability to motivate and develop skills of others

Desirable:

• Experience of working in Sierra Leone or West Africa.
• Knowledge of Concern policies and programming approaches