/ Job description
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Date agreed by HR:
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Job title:Interim Regional Programme Manager - SAFO

Reporting to:Head of International Operations

Location:Based in Lusaka with responsibility over 3 to 5 countries

Line management:up to 4-8 direct reports

Department:International Directorate

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To lead the strategic development and implementation of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s (LCD’s) work and further LCD’s objectivesto positively impact on the lives of disabled people in Africa. This will be donethrough effectively managing partnerships, fundraising, employees, programmesand risk. The role will also lead on promoting the work of LCD and inclusive development to key stakeholders including governments, policy makers, donors and partners and lead on influencing initiatives with key actors in Africa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

  • Strategic Planning & implementation- contribute to the overall development of the international strategic planning process, leading on the development and implementation of a regional strategic plan to ensure deliver of LCD’s key objectives.
  • International leadership team – as a member of the international leadership team, contribute to the achievements and learning across the programme; manage cross-regional programmes (where appropriate).
  • External Analysis and Influencing- plan and lead the strategy for raising the profile of LCD regionally, promoting our work and networking with key stakeholders including the AU and the EAC. Promote and facilitate communication and information exchange on disability and development issues within the region and beyond.
  • Global Alliance - Work closely with Cheshire Organisations in the region to establish appropriate systems of communication with the Regional council, and Cheshire services in the region. Build the capacity of National Councils, support the development of their services and the establishment of new services or initiatives in LCD’s key thematic areas.

Resource Mobilisation

  • Lead on resource mobilization and securing funding for the countries of operations, meeting the annual set target.
  • Work with international fundraising team and othersto identify key donors at country and regional level, ensuring engagement/relationship building and the promotion of LCD’s work.
  • Develop and maintain a funding plan to increase and diversify LCD international’s external funding base. Support efforts to ensuremore sustainable financial models for programmes including clear cost recovery approaches.

Programming

  • Partnership development –manageand coach programme employees to develop positive and mutually beneficial relationships with key partners in the region. Ensure a robust system is in place for monitoring, evaluating and supporting partners.
  • Programme development and delivery – manage the LCD regional programme by ensuring application of the strategy to local context and manage/coach the programme team to implement and deliver high quality and innovative programmes. Ensure that all projects and activities are managed so that they produce the contracted outcomes within the timeframe and within budget.
  • Clear M&E strategies are in place across the programme and project activities, and support learning within and across the region and globally.
  • Sustainability / exit strategies– seeking to build in clear sustainability and exit strategies into the project and programme work from the outset and work closely with relevant stakeholders at local, national and regional levels.

Financial and Risk Management

  • Accountable for budget, resources and assets, working with the Finance and Administration Manager to ensure financial controls and cost effectiveness are paramount and that finances are managed within financial management policies.
  • Be accountable for full compliance with donor contracts for overseen countries, including all terms and conditions and reporting requirements, ensuring that programme staff is well briefed and familiar with contractual requirements for every project they manage and are able to effectively liaise with financial and programme support staff in order to comply with donor accounting, staffing, purchasing and any other requirements.
  • Internal Reporting – annual work plans, quarterly and annual reports. Ensure that management systems are in place and that there is compliance with LCD’s policies and procedures.
  • Governance and Compliance – ensure legal compliance in all areas, including office registration, tax, employment law, health and safety, insurance, partnership contracts, procurementand internal requirements.
  • Risk Management – fully accountable at regional level for identifying risks and ensuring plans and monitoring processes are in place to minimise the impact.

People Management

  • Recruitment and Selection – lead on the process and coach employees to ensure good decision making and compliance with LCD’s policies and procedures.
  • Performance Management and Learning and Development – effectively lead, develop and coach the team within the performance management framework
  • Change management and engagement – ensure ways of working and behaviours are in line with LCD’s values, policies and procedures.
  • Employee relations – ensure that all employees are managed in line with LCD’s policies and procedure and that local lawsare respected and upheld.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

  • Educated to a post degree level in a relevant qualification
  • Extensive proven expertise in leading on fundraising, including seeking and securing new donors, successful grants acquisition of significant size, management of large and complex grants.
  • Extensive expertise in developing and implementing international development programmes and of analysing and responding to external trends in the sector.
  • Proven expertise of managing donors and contracts and the implications for programme management
  • Proven expertise to successfully establish partnerships and influence key people/donors/bodies/governments at all levels
  • Proven leadership skills and experience of line managing complex and diverse teams, experience of managing change and leading people through it.
  • Substantial experience of financial management of large budgets
  • Ability to travel extensively across countries of operationsin addition to some travel to the other parts of Africa and beyond

Desirable requirements

  • Practical experience of applying development and or disability issues at a project or community level coupled with impact assessment and evaluation of disability programmes and social change
  • Experience of organisational development and building the capacity of local partners
  • Experience of developing and implementing advocacy and policy strategies
  • Knowledge of the UNCRPD

Technical competencies

  • Experience of working in one of LCD’s thematic areas, inclusive education, livelihoods, advocacy and campaigns for the rights of disabled people
  • Expertise in poverty alleviation strategies and programmes
  • Knowledge and experience of developing large funding proposals and establish donor relations.
  • An excellent communicator with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
  • Able to build strong working relationships with external parties.
  • Experience in design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation processes
  • Good IT skills