JOB DESCRIPTION
REGIONAL PROGRAMME MANAGER – AFRICA
Responsible to: Head of International Programmes
Responsible for: Country Director for Somalia
Country Director for Sudan
Country Director for Kenya
International Programmes Officer
Purpose of the Post:
To provide overall supervision and management support to Muslim Aid Field Offices and partners in the Africa Region to deliver high quality sustainable development programmes in line with the organisational Strategic Plan, Accountability Framework and policies and procedures.
The key responsibilities of this role will include the provision of relevant technical and management advice and support to ensure Muslim Aid Field Offices are effectively and efficiently implementing, monitoring and evaluating programme activities in compliance with recognised international standards. The Regional programme Manager will be expected to assist the Country Directors in placing Muslim Aid as a key development partner of choice for Governments, NGOs, donors and civil society in their respective countries.
Other key responsibilities include building and expanding strategic partnerships, in particular with donors and other development partners to increase the size, scope and quality of programmes implemented by the Field Offices to reach the poorest, marginalised and underserved populations.
The Regional Programme Manager – Africa will also be expected to take on global leadership for Muslim Aid in one of the core programmes: Health (Maternal and Child Health), Education (with a focus on primary education) and Livelihoods (with a focus on microfinance) and to develop the organisational strategy, policy and programmes in the selected technical area.
The purpose of this post is also to ensure that the impact and progress of Muslim Aid’s programmes is captured through the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and learning framework; to contribute to the strategic direction and leadership of the International Programmes Department and contribute towards achieving the organisation's continual growth, development and impact; and to represent Muslim Aid at national, regional and international forums to promote its work to a broad range of audiences.
Main Responsibilities
Leadership:
1. To implement the strategic direction of Muslim Aid by supporting Field Offices and partner organisations in programme development and delivery; to provide support through management reviews in due diligence and compliance.
2. To lead Country Directors to reinforce the Organisation’s mission, vision, values and direction through the use of clear and articulate communications.
3. To support country leadership (CDs, SMTs, and Boards where applicable) to deliver their Country Strategic Plans.
4. To work closely with the other Departments of Muslim Aid to ensure appropriate programmatic, fundraising, M&E, governance and other appropriate support is provided to Field Offices and partners.
5. To ensure that appropriate reviews of learning across country programmes are completed in line with best practice with a view to improving the quality of delivery on the Organisation’s mission.
6. To act as the primary point of contact for the Region in Muslim Aid Head Quarters in London. All Field Office communication will flow through the Regional Programme Manager.
Programme Support, Development and Management
7. To provide technical support in the area of organisational development to ensure appropriate technical and management skills exist in the Field Offices to effectively implement country programmes.
8. To work closely with Field Offices and partners to strengthen the current Muslim Aid due diligence and compliance procedures and ensure their effective use in practice.
9. To provide technical support to improve the planning, design and development of projects through the use of planning and development tools (such as logical framework).
10. To ensure effective implementation of projects through improved progress and financial reporting and regular visits to Field Offices.
11. To lead globally on one of the core programme areas of Muslim Aid; Health, Education or Livelihoods by building cutting edge knowledge and expertise in the area
12. To ensure efficient use of allocated funds, set budgets and plans for the Field Offices. Ensure financial management and Value for money is central to the management and accountability of support to Field Offices and partners.
13. To ensure project financial progress reports are prepared on time and reviewed to keep track of project implementation. This will involve working closely with Finance staff to ensure that Field Offices receive the necessary financial technical support to develop and plan realistic budgets and that Field Office Finance and Programme staff have the expertise to effectively monitor the end use of funds.
14. To ensure that the quality of Muslim Aid programmes and partnerships at all levels are of a high standard in delivering our promises and commitments.
15. To support the fundraising efforts of Field Offices by building and strengthening relationships with new and existing donors both in the UK and overseas.
16. To work closely with other departments (Emergencies, Corporate Services, Internal Audit, Finance, Communications and Fundraising, in particular with the Intuitional Fundraising Manager) to provide support to Field Offices for the development of their country programmes.
People Management:
17. To manage performance and ensure the professional development of direct reports.
18. To monitor the Field Office performance against the agreed organisational standards and ensure that problems are identified and resolved.
19. To support both the professional and personal development of senior staff within the HQ/Field Office to ensure that they are able to remain proactive on all matters thereby maximising and integrating the effectiveness of the support they provide to fulfil corporate goals and plans.
20. To facilitate all necessary consultation, communications and good relations within the wider organisation including staff of Field Offices and partner organisations
21. Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
REGIONAL PROGRAMME MANAGER – AFRICA
E = Essential D = Desirable
Qualification
a. Postgraduate qualification in one or more of the following areas: International Development, Economics, Management and/or International Relations (E)
Experience
b. Demonstrated experience in international development management including senior management and distance management (E)
c. Experience of managing and facilitating projects (E)
d. Proven experience of building strong relationships at the highest levels with development partners (E)
e. Proven experience of managing human resources and financial resources at a senior level (E)
f. Experience working in/with the region of Africa (D)
g. Extensive staff management experience in a mid to large international development organisation and in a complex international environment (D)
Skill
h. Strong command of the English language (E)
i. Excellent project management and facilitation skills (E)
j. Excellent written and oral communication skills (E)
k. Outstanding negotiation and influencing skills (E)
l. Excellent IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office (E)
m. Good organisation, coordination and project management skills (E)
n. Excellent analytic and strategic planning skills (E)
o. Listening, learning, empowering and result-oriented leadership and management skills (E)
p. Proficiency in one or more of the following: Arabic, French, Portuguese and/or other local languages (D)
Knowledge
q. Knowledge of SPHERE, HAP Standards and DEC Accountability Framework (E)
r. Knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of programme implementation (E)
s. In depth knowledge and understanding of the causes of poverty and injustice, potential solutions and key actors in the region and in the continent (E)
Ability
t. Ability to work in a diverse team (E)
u. Ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders (E)
v. Ability to travel extensively on short notice (E)
w. Ability to motivate and support peers in a multifunctional environment (D)
Commitment
x. Commitment to Muslim Aid’s mission, visions and values (E)
y. Commitment to Muslim Aid’s ethos (E)
z. Commitment to equality of opportunity and diversity (E)
aa. Hard working and self motivated (E)
bb. Empathy with and understanding of the basic teachings and values of Islam (D)
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