save the children
international programs
role profile
TITLE: Food Security (FS) Project ManagerTEAM/PROGRAMME: Food Security and Livelihoods / LOCATION:
Pyongyang, DPRK
GRADE: TBC / CONTRACT LENGTH:
2 years
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 2: either the role holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or they will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).
ROLE PURPOSE:
The purpose of this post is to provide a leadership role in the planning, implementation and management of European Union funded food security projects of save the Children – DPRK Programme. The position will involve provision of managerial and technical support as well as identification of appropriate intervention strategies and methodologies to achieve greater impact to children in DPRK, contributing to the global objectives of Save the Children.
COUNTRY CONTEXT:
Save the Children is locally known in DPRK as European Union Programme Support Unit 2 (EUPS Unit 2). This change in the identity of the organization as it operates in the country is due to the drastic move of the government to terminate all NGO support in late 2015. However, European Union continued to engage dialogue with the government until the agreement was reached February 2016. The government allowed resuming the humanitarian works on the condition that NGOs would no longer be able to function in their registered name and visibility. This change has meant that there are no visible signs of the presence of NGOs. With effect from April 1, 2006 all EU funded projects are being implemented under an umbrella system. The “umbrella” is called the European Union Programme Support –EUPS. Only 6 European NGOs were allowed to continue under this umbrella and one of which is Save the Children. With the agreement from the government, Save the Children’s work in DPRK is now covering 3 thematic areas such food security, WASH/integrated health and emergency preparedness and response. For its food security projects, Save the Children is receiving regular support from EU. Save the Children holds its main office in Pyongyang, the capital of DPRK inside the diplomatic compound. In addition, all accommodations of expatriate staff are within this compound with facilities considered as modest but with steady supply of electricity and water and good access to internet and telephone. The security situation in the country is safe contrary to reports published by media. Staffs are allowed to visit the project sites at least twice a month for duration of 5 working days per visit. Implementation of project activities are done in partnership with local authority and local government agencies, they provide the technical staff for implementation of field activities and the project normally provides the supplies and materials.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Programme Director
Dimensions: The role holder will assume responsibilities for FS project management and development, technical and management support in project implementation, project coordination, financial management and procurement, capacity building of seconded staff and local partners and representation.
Staff directly reporting to this post: Save the Children is locally known in DPRK as European Union Programme Support Unit 2 (EUPS Unit 2) and operates under the umbrella called Korean European Cooperation Coordination Agency (KECCA). All national staff is provided by KECCA. In coordination with National Liaison Officer, FS Project Manager will supervise 2 FS Project Officers. On occasional basis, post holder will also supervise the international technical advisor or consultant.
Budget Responsibilities: US$ 1 million per annum
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Project Management, Development and Technical Support
· Ensure accurate and timely preparation of FS projects annual operational plans, budgets, procurement plan, narrative and financial reports for approval by Programme Director
· Closely supervise the implementation of project activities, identity, recommend and take actions in consultation with Programme Director to resolve issues affecting the implementation of activities
· Develop and implement strategies for systematic monitoring and evaluation of project activities in accordance to guidelines including facilitating the occasional project evaluation by external consultant as required by donor
· Provide support to Programme Director in the development of new project proposals for submission to potential donors under food security and livelihood thematic area
· Provide management and technical support to local partners to ensure that project activities implemented are of high standard
· Ensure that FS project activities are child-focus and contributes to the achievement of objectives
Financial Management and Procurement
· Act as the budget holder of FS projects, be responsible for monitoring the budget vs actual expenses, identify financial issues, recommend and take actions in consultation with Programme Director to resolve project financial issues
· To ensure that correct financial procedures are followed in accordance with Financial Policy in addition to incorporation of Donor’s financial policies.
· To be responsible for ensuring that all logistical procedures for the procurement of project inputs are in accordance with both policies and the procurement procedures of project donors
· Work closely with finance team in preparing and facilitating expenditure verification or audit by external audit firm as required by the donor
Project Coordination and Representation
· Coordinate with WASH-IH Project Manager to promote coherence and synergy between the food security and WASH – IH activities
· Promote local partner’s participation in planning and implementation of all project activities and proper consultations among the target beneficiaries
· Establish coordination with relevant government agencies both at the national and provincial levels to lobby for their support in project implementation and establish agreement if required
· To represent SCI DPRK Programme in food security and other relevant theme groups to promote sharing of experiences among the international organization working in the country
Human Resource Development
· In coordination with National Liaison Officer, line manage FS Project Officers making it sure that their responsibilities are clear to them and they will be able to develop their own work schedule
· Identify opportunities and implement training activities to improve the management and technical skills of local partners and technical staff involved in the implementation of field activities food security projects
· Work closely with Programme Director to develop the capacity of FS Project Officers on child focus project activities
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
· Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results together with children 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
· Creates a managerial environment in-country to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding
Ambition:
· Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self and team, takes responsibility for own personal development and encourages team to do the same
· Widely shares personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
· Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale
Collaboration:
· Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners
· 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
· Always acts in the best interests of children
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
· Master’s degree in agriculture or natural resources management
· Five years’ experience working with NGO in planning, implementation and management of food security projects, preferably projects funded by European Union
· Experienced in proposal development, budget management and report writing
· Experienced working with local partners in implementing food security project activities
· Good technical background on either agronomy, watershed management, livestock management, and participatory and integrated approach to food security; technical knowledge in food processing and nutrition will be an advantage
· Strong communications and interpersonal skills, especially in a highly sensitive situation
· High level of flexibility to work with a small team in which capacity is limited
Desirable
· Experience working overseas in developing countries.
· Experience in conducting training both theoretical and practical matters
· Experience of working in harsh conditions, both geographical and climatic and often in isolated areas for long periods
· Previous Save the Children job experience
· Experience in working through interpreters
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