ROLE PURPOSE:

The Head of Office will be expected to lead on all aspects of North West Syria area management and contribute to the development of programming in other geographic areas, including program and budget development and management, agency coordination, partner engagement and representation and management of support service functions (HR, Finance, Awards, Admin, Logs and S&S) teams. The post holder will play a key role in building capacity at area level, and in the effective scale up and management of Save the Children emergency programmes to increase impact and enable positive change for children.

SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Program Operations Director
Dimensions: Leads the successful management of the Syria Response area office’s portfolio, approximately $8m-$12m USD annually North West area
Staff directly reporting to this post: 8 direct reports

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Program Operations:
 Manage the design and implementation of programme and operational activities in the Syria Response North West area, effectively using the assistance of technical sector advisors and operational support staff.
 Represent Save the Children with Partner leadership to ensure alignment with partnership approach of the Syria Response Office as well as to ensure full respect of the principles of partnership.
 Manage multiple grants across multiple sectors, ensuring that projects and reports are delivered according to Save the Children and donor contractual requirements, within the agreed timescale and budget.
 Working with the Program Operations Director to develop sector response plans, sustainability strategies and master budgets to contribute to Save the Children’s overall response strategy.
 Working closely with the Program Development and Quality Director to support fundraising including development of high quality concept notes and proposals.
 Delegated responsibility of programme implementation to ensure timely delivery of programme activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management work plans).
 Oversee multi agency coordination in the North West area, and ensure leadership for education cluster and participation in other clusters where appropriate
 Implement effective safety and security procedures for the area office, ensuring that these are updated and revised at regular intervals and that new programmes are built around security considerations.

 Manage logistics processes to procure, store and distribute stock, supplies and services for the timely delivery of project objectives within the field base or area

 Develop and implement participatory assessment to contribute to programme planning and MEAL processes
 Manage and motivate area staff to perform highly in their respective roles and responsibilities. This will include leading on area staffing structure, recruitment, performance management and implementing staff welfare policy
 To ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Core Humanitarian Standards.

Supervise and manage programme staff:
 Ensure appropriate staffing at all levels of the North West area
 Ensure appropriate gender and ethnic diversity within the programme team.
 Ensure that area staff have clearly defined objectives and understand their responsibilities vis-à-vis the Partnership Approach.
 Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process. Establish result based system and follow up
 Ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
 Encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.
 Lead on emergency preparedness and response activities in North West area of operation.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our 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 others to do the same
 Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
 Future orientated, thinks strategically.
Collaboration:
 Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, other 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

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
 Minimum 7 years senior management experience working in an emergency response contexts or in fragile states
 International experience in humanitarian sector and emergency response experience is essential
 Education to MSc/MA level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
 Previous experience of managing a team

 Demonstrated experience with working with local partners
 Previous experience of project management, including multi sector programmes
 Budget management experience including institutional donors
 Security management experience in insecure environments
 Field and regional representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN
 Demonstrable experience of working with partners and establishing strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms
 Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
 Excellent communication skills
 Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
 Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
 A high level of written and spoken English
 The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
 Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
Desirable
 Remote management and Multi-site management experience
 Specific experience in designing and managing ECHO, OFDA, DFID, and UN agency-funded projects
 National level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN
 Media trained
 Prior experience in Middle East & other relevant contexts
 Fluency in English is preferred, knowledge of Arabic is desirable

CHILD SAFE GUARDING POLICY:

Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance Form and comply with the SCIs Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

Benefits Package provided to National Staff:

• Salary commensurate with the pay-grade of the position

• Transportation allowance

• Annual leave

• Medical insurance.

*Please note that SCI is recruiting on behalf of a 3rd party contractor for this position.**

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.