Deputy Director of Programme Operations

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Deputy Director for Programme Operations post is created to strengthen SCI engagement with government and civil society partners in the country and strengthen programme operations of SCI Iraq.

The Deputy Director of Operations performs the following core functions 1- Work with the Director for Programme Operations in providing oversight and management of humanitarian and development programme implementation in the Iraq Country Office, 2- Strengthen SCI engagement with national and local authorities and civil society organisations. 3- Lead and manage assigned awards that are critical to the Iraq Country Office. 4- Line Manage sector programme managers at country level.

The DDO contributes to defining the strategic direction of SCI in Iraq and ensuring we are able to maintain a relevant and sustainable country office programme structures. As Lead for assigned Projects, the DDO will be responsible the successful achievement of the project results and will ensure that Projects are delivered with high quality, on time, on budget, and safely. As a key budget holder, the DDO is accountable for the sound financial management across all projects.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director for Programme Operations
Staff directly reporting to this post: All Programme Managers/Coordinator who are assigned to lead at sector levels for the country programme.
Budget Responsibilities: As assigned
Role Dimensions: The DDPO will work closely with the various Department Heads

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Strengthen SCI operational engagement with national and local authorities and civil society organisations for programme delivery

* The DDPO will work with the Partnership and Localisation Specialist in ensuring that SCI strengthens our Partnership programme guidelines, templates, and our way of working with partners.
* Support Awards and Programme Managers/Project Managers in ensuring we have the appropriate contracts, capacity building and operational engagement with local partners and that staff assigned are trained and supported
* Lead engagement of SCI with local authorities and lead facilitation of project set up in areas where we do not have Field Office presence and where we are implementing projects through partners
* Ensure that SCI has the required Memorandum of Understanding with relevant Ministries or government departments and other legal programme related documentations required for our Programmes to operate in the country
* As delegated, support the SMT, PDQ, and Advocacy and Communications Manager in engagement particularly in areas that are meant to

2. Work with the Director for Programme Operations in providing support and management of projects being implemented by the country programme ensuring we meet SCI KPIs
* Lead tracking of project spending plans and support teams in ensuring these are met
* Strengthen Project Procurement Plans across the various projects of SCI Iraq, including those of the local partners monitor issues arising and coordinate with Supply Chain teams for actions
* Conduct Project Monitoring activities to identify issues and generate relevant actions from various departments

3. Lead and manage assigned awards that are critical to the Iraq Country Office

* Responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the assigned projects in line the Project Management Methodology of SCI.
* Accountable for the Project Budget, Detailed Implementation Plans, Human Resource Plan, Procurement Plans, Management Plans, Exit Plan
* Collaborate with the HR Department and respective Line Managers to ensure that the right persons are recruited or assigned to the projects
* Facilitate field visits from Donor or other stakeholders (external and internal).
* Coordinate with logistics, administration, and finance units to procure all equipment, supplies and materials required to implement the project activities, ensuring cost efficiency and compliance with SCI and donor regulations
* Undertake regular field visits to monitor progress, provide guidance and supervision
* Prepare periodic project narrative and financial reports as well as other reports, according to SCI and donor requirements, in coordination with PDQ team, finance,project implementation and other relevant teams.
* In coordination with Risk and Compliance Manager and CSG Coordinator, develop and set up the monitoring, complaint and appeal mechanisms necessary to guarantee quality and effectiveness of assistance
* Ensure the integration of activities with other SCI projects, as well as coordinate with other actors intervening in the same area
* Internally, establish and maintain collaborative relations with the Field Teams, Awards, Finance, Programme Quality, HR and Admin , and Operations departments
* Lead management of risks around the assigned projects
* Represent the Project in engagement with SCI Members, Donor, and other stakeholders

4. Line Manage Programme Managers
* In coordination with the Director for Progamme Operations, Technical Advisers, and Human Resource Department, facilitate the recruitment of Programme Managers who will lead consolidation of SCI delivery of projects per sector and who will project manage smaller short term projects
* Facilitate induction, supervision, development and support for Programme Managers

5. Participate in over-all management of the Country Programme
* Support the development, implementation and evaluation of the country programme strategy and programme
* Be a member of the Extended Senior Management Team
* Participate in relevant activities of the Country Office
* Deliver on other tasks as assigned by the DPO or SMT.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
* holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
* holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
* sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
* widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
* future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
* builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
* values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
* approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
* develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
* willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
* honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS:
* Advanced University degree. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
* At least 5 years of humanitarian experience in not-for-profit organization in complex emergency environments, including managing remotely and with and through partners.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Essential:
* Demonstrate leadership and ability to build high performing teams
* Ability to form sound context analysis and develop strategic actions
* Ability to work with national and local government authorities and civil society organisations
* Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of SCI.
* Experience in managing and implementing humanitarian programs
* Ability to work independently and at the same time be a team player

Technical competencies:
* Familiarity with Save the Children Project Management Methodology or standard project management methodologies used by humanitarian and development practitioners
* Ability to handle projects involving large-scale procurement and distribution.
* Strong financial and contract management skills.
* Strong people management skills
* Previous experience of managing Education, WASH, FSL and Child Protection projects
* Proficient knowledge of English , well-developed written and oral communication skills.
* Demonstrate ability to design projects and manage contracts in compliance with major donor requirements including BHA and PRM.
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The Organisation:
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 realise 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 workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.