Programme Officer

***Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note that the position might be filled before the vacancy announcement is closed; therefore, early applications are encouraged.***

The Opportunity – Programme Officer

Post location: West Bank Field Office – Ramallah

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 1 year

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Programme Officer is primarily responsible for the quality and timely implementation of programme activities and provision of enabling support to implementing partners. The post holder will provide both technical and administrative support to Save the Children (SCI) programmes as assigned by the Programme Manager (PM), ensuring outputs and results are achieved on time, within budget and in compliance with SCI and donor policies and regulations.

The Programme Officer will support programme design, and lead the planning and implementation of assigned programme activities in coordination with internal and external stakeholders. This includes positive engagement and enabling support to project partners in line with SCI’s Partnership Principles. The post holder will ensure that monitoring plans are carried out, required project resources are mobilized and utilized, data is generated and reported in a timely fashion, and that quality is maintained. This necessitates effective and timely coordination with Awards, PDQ, Supply Chain, MEAL and other enabling functions through all stages of the project cycle.

The post holder will be assigned responsibilities across multiple projects by the Programme Manager, and is expected to work adaptably by absorbing and handing over tasks as projects end and new ones come online. This may involve varying levels of accountability depending on the current portfolio and needs of the Programme Unit.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: West Bank Programme Manager

Staff reporting to this post: Field Monitors or Interns, depending on changeable Programme requirements

Budget Responsibilities: NA

Role Dimensions: oPt CO is a high complexity country, multi-member interest, with an annual budget of around $40+m, and 100+ staff. Currently the program is experiencing a growth in funding and complexity due to the war in Gaza.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Key Area 1: Programme Design, Planning & Implementation

• Participate in design workshops and development of proposals, ensuring learnings on programmatic quality and operational feasibility are shared and considered
• Support the Programme Manager in the planning and set up of new Projects, including engagement with relevant SCI functions, partners, communities and other key stakeholders
• Lead development of PMM tools for assigned Projects, including but not limited to drafting of Detailed Implementation Plans, Phased Budgets, Procurement Plans and HR Plans.
• Support technical assessments and the selection and verification of beneficiaries in coordination with other SCI teams and partners, and in line with SCI’s procedures and policies.
• Lead the quality and timely implementation of programme activities as assigned by the Programme Manager, in line with project plans and in adherence to SCI and donor policies, procedures and regulations
• Ensure PMM tools remain updated on a timely basis and are uploaded into the PRIME system, once activated
• Support Programme Manager in budget phasing, forecasting and monitoring for assigned Projects
• Ensure timely spending in accordance with phased budgets, forecasts and donor flexibility rates, communicating anticipated variances to the Programme Manager ahead of time
• Monitor and communicate project risks and issues, adapting plans, activities and approaches according to the changing context and operating environment
• Lead close out actions for assigned Projects in coordination with relevant functions

Key Area 2: Partnerships

• Support partner mapping and selection processes and provide evidence from the field regarding the partners quality and performance when applicable.
• Support the completion of partner assessments in line with the Partner Assessment Tools (PAT)
• Lead development and amendments of partner agreements and annexes for assigned Projects.
• Ensure all communication with implementing partners is enabling in nature, and in line with SCI’s Partnership Principles, including mutual benefit, transparency, accountability and Independence.
• Mentor and support implementing partners, monitoring progress and quality, and delivering direct support and/or training as necessary
• Proactively consult and engage implementing partners in decision making relevant to shared Projects.
• Represent SCI at cluster meetings and other external forums, as delegated by Programme Manager and the Field Office Manager (FOM), and agreed with Programme Development & Quality (PDQ), ensuring regular attendance and timely sharing of key notes with relevant colleagues.

Key Area 3: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

• In collaboration with the MEAL team, assist in the development of MEAL plans and tools, ensuring adequate Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability (to beneficiaries and donors) and Learning.
• Monitor project implementation against indicators detailed in Logical Frameworks for assigned projects, uploading progress data into the MEAL system on a monthly basis.
• Conduct joint field and partner visits with other functions (e.g. Supply Chain, PDQ) to verify project activities are implemented according to plans and targets.
• Actively participate in the overall project monitoring and evaluation process in coordination with implementing partners.
• Actively document and share learnings across Programme Units and relevant functions.
• Ensure adequate filing and archiving of project documents.
• Work closely with the Programme Manager to ensure timely submission of quality, concise and results-based reports.

Key Area 4: Emergency Preparedness And Response Management

• Contribute to the development of SCI’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP), and implement Preparedness Actions as assigned by the Programme Manager
• Ensure contingency/reprogramming plans are developed and kept updated for assigned Projects against the highest-rated risks as per the EPP.
• Respond to emergencies in line with the Core Humanitarian Standard and under the direction of the appointed Response Team Leader, reassigning tasks as requested by the Programme Manager.

Key Area 5: General

• Ensure active participation of children and communities, particularly those most vulnerable or at-risk, in all stages of the programme cycle, as is safe and appropriate.
• Work closely and collaboratively with partners, project stakeholders, relevant clusters/working groups, and communities at the field level.
• Actively participate in regular project-related meetings, preparing presentation materials where requested.
• Assist in the preparation of any field visits requested for visitors.
• Support the development of communication and visibility materials, in coordination with partners and the Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media (ACCM) team.
• Ensure that all donor branding and visibility requirements are fulfilled.

In order to be successful you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS

• College/University degree and basic knowledge in a professional field in which specialized training is required..

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience in project implementation in a humanitarian or development context (design, development, planning and implementation).
• Technical experience in at least one of SCI’s thematic areas.
• Experience of and commitment to working through formal and informal systems and ensuring community participation and accountability.
• Demonstrate capacity to deliver on stated objectives, on time and within budget.
• Knowledge of effective financial and grant management.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation and reporting of project results.
• Knowledge of institutional donors and experience of developing proposals.
• Excellent English and Arabic language skills, with proven capacity to write clear, concise and results-based project reports.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office, email and internet systems)

Desirable

• Experience in the field of protection with progressively responsible experience.
• Experience in designing and facilitating training and capacity building.
• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in sometimes difficult working circumstances.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to safeguarding principles and approaches, as well as principles of do no harm and confidentiality.
• Valid driving licence.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. This role is offered on the basis of national terms and conditions.

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

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.