Head of Programme

The purpose of the Head of Programme position is to assume overall responsibility for programme development and strategic vision in the country promoting learning and a cost-conscious culture as well as ensure effective and constructive communication between related functions and Area offices.

The Head of Programme has the overall responsibility to develop and ensure good partnership relations and ensure programme relevant advocacy priorities are identified and taken forward. The position also has line management responsibility as well responsibility to manage and ensure support and capacity building related to PCM, M&E framework, integrated programming and programme quality.

The Programme Development Unit, led by the Head of Programme, supports with development of capacity in core competencies and cross-cutting themes, working collaboratively and in a matrix structure with Support departments, Area Manager, and the Regional Programme department. The Head of Programme takes lead on donor relations, monitoring and evaluation, and other specialist areas as assigned. This will be fulfilled through the following:

What you will do:

General Responsibilities:

• Line management responsibilities for directly reporting staff. This includes the:
• Performance management process; setting clear goals aligned to country strategy and priorities, and to follow up and support staff’s achievement.
  • Responsible for key processes as workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction and development and ensure Duty of Care for own staff
• Provide programme input to Country Strategy and Plan of Action
• Development of Core Competency strategies that are aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies
• Development of holistic and needs based programmes, including cash-based interventions and marked based programmes
• Identify funding opportunities, develop funding strategies and forecasts
• Grants management, BPO allocations and reporting to donors, including compliance with donor standards and ensure quality control, M&E and organizational learning
• In-country representation
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy
• Compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures, and a specific responsibility for the functions policies and procedures

Specific responsibilities:

• Ensure strategic programme development in the country in line with the region and global programme initiatives.
• Overseeing specific advances in NRC’s Innovation, Protection, Markets and Digital programming, through an increasingly localised and networked approach
• Contribute to expanding the use of Cash Based Programmes and increase use of technology as a way of increasing efficiency of the programmes
• Contribute to strengthening accountability to beneficiaries through improving M&E systems, the establishment of beneficiary feedback and complaints mechanisms and improved needs assessments for evidence-based programming.
• Facilitate initiatives for integrated programme analysis and response analysis, including the integration of relevant cross-cutting issues such as protection, safe programming and access
• Oversee Project Cycle Management (PCM), including through field support missions
• Liaise with Area managers to explore and create synergies, and ensure effective and constructive communication between the CO and AOs.
• Provide contextual programme analysis as input to the county strategy, annual and trimestral reports.
• Ensure organisational learning from programme implementation and overall programme capacity building in the country.
• Manage performance and staff development of the Programme department.
• Ensure current donor relations are well managed and explore potential new donor opportunities
• Ensure programme relevant advocacy priorities are identified and taken forward.
• Responsible for the Core Competence programmatic input to risk management frameworks and contingency plans
• Responsible for ensuring that Safe Programming is integrated into programme design, including being properly resourced
• Provide an enabling environment for the implementation of cash-based interventions, including multi-purpose cash assistance, emergency cash responses (depending on the context)
• Lead the development of a fundraising strategy and build strategic relationships with donors.
• Any other tasks as delegated by the line manager.

What will you bring:

Generic professional competencies

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, with at least 5 years in a senior management position in a humanitarian/ recovery context.
• Evident experience holding an international position.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Core competency expertise
• Experience in programme strategy development
• Experience in Project Cycle Management
• Experience in grants management
• Experience in M&E management
• Demonstrated knowledge of protection mainstreaming and Accountability to Affected Populations
• Demonstrated experience in representation and advocacy
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Context related skills, knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of the context in East Africa Region-Advantageous
• Culturally sensitive, with the ability to work within different cultural contexts
• Experience in resource mobilisation and in particular working with private foundations, social enterprise, Embassies, EU, US donors and UN agencies
• Proven experience of working in partnership with local and national actors from civil society and private sector
• Empowering and building trust and community mobilization
• Experience in Emergency and post emergency contexts
• Experience with coordination mechanisms
• Experience in advocacy work and influencing
• Proven ability to work under stressful environment
• What we offer:
• Duty station: Kampala, Uganda
• Contract: 12 Months (renewable based on funding and performance)
• Travel: 30%
• Salary/benefits: grade 11 on NRC’s either national or International (family duty station)
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

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