Save the Children UK is a leading international child rights organization, fighting to improve the lives of children in the UK and 50 countries around the world. Together with children, we are helping to build a better world for present and future generations by making a reality of children’s rights. Save the Children UK in Kenya works in the North Eastern Province (Dadaab, Wajir and Mandera areas) with Programmes in Child Protection, Nutrition, Livelihoods and Health.
Job Purpose Under the supervision of the Operations Director, the Area Manager will ensure efficient and proactive operations of Save the Children UK Area Office. The Area Manager is responsible for supporting Save the Children UK area office teams in achieving their workplans in an efficient and timely manner.
Key accountabilities:
Representation and Advocacy • Represent Save the Children UK at district and sub-district level and maintain relationships with district / provincial administration and NGO partners • Ensure that external stakeholders and NGO partners have a clear understanding of Save the Children UK vision, mission, goals and guiding policies and strategies
Working with Partners and Providers • Participate in identification of potential partners within Area Office and in assessing their capacity to work with SC in our work with and for children. • Ensure that all new partners, suppliers and agents of any sort with whom SC UK might engage have been properly vetted according to SC’s procedures and requirements • Oversee that local implementing partners are discharging their responsibilities, live up to stipulations stated in the partnership agreement and take appropriate action • Ensure that all agreements with partners include a section of their agreement to abide by the SC Child Safeguarding policy. • Ensure that no agreements are signed with any partners or providers without the prior consent of the Country Director and Operations Director.
Planning, Co-ordination and Reporting • Take the overall responsibility in guiding and coordinating programming activities in area offices • Initiate and contribute to discussions on the formulation of new program ideas and assist in project proposal development ensuring that logistics, HR and financial considerations are fully taken fully into account. • Ensure that programme managers adhere strictly to donors’ and SC’s compliance requirements and in particular in relation to procurement, the management of assets secured though donor grants and in producing acceptable narrative and accurate financial reports in a timely manner. • Maintain effective communications with key SC colleagues including finance, grants, HR, managers and thematic advisors as required. • Ensure that all programme activities are undertaken in a transparent manner particularly in the identification of partners and beneficiaries • Ensure that the quality of the programs is maintained through an effective monitoring system and that accurate data and information documented and reported according to requirements. • Ensure that project reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner using donor reporting requirements. • Submit to the Operations Director internal monthly management reports on activities undertaken in the region
Financial, Budget and Assets Management • In close collaboration with the Finance Director/Grants/Finance Manager, ensure that all budgets (donors and SC’s own resources) provided are managed in line with SC UK’s minimum standards and donor requirements. • In this to chair monthly finance meetings held on the prescribed date involving all budget holders operating from Puntland and the appropriate support staff , and that a report providing a detailed variance analysis of each budget is submitted to the Operations Director, Finance Director, and Finance and Grants Managers by the prescribed time. • Establish and maintain a two-way supportive relations between finance staff and budget holders through joint programme and financial progress monitoring; and establishing effective communication between them • Responsible for the safety and maintenance of all SC’s assets in Area office ensuring that an up to date asset register is maintained and that the logistics officer. All assets issued to staff must be recorded and recovered from staff upon termination of their employment. • Ensure the application of SC’s guidelines on procurement promote transparency and highlights that failure to adhere strictly to these, apart from causing a loss of funding through disallows from donors, is a serious disciplinary offence. • Ensure that effective financial control systems are in place to deter and avoid fraud and take actions to address suspected fraud immediately. • Ensure that project financial reports are prepared and submitted to the Operations Director and Finance Director.
Leadership, HR Management and Development • Ensure that personnel policies and guidelines for national staff are adhered to in executing human resource management activities: recruitment, induction, placement, promotion, training/development and separation/termination • Promote a motivating working environment through teamwork approaches and ensure that staff members are regularly communicated on developments within SC UK through emails, updates, announcements and regular staff meetings • Ensure that all staff employed with Save the Children have contracts, hold an up to date copy of the terms and conditions of services and have access to a copy of the more detailed HR Policies manual. • Ensure that all staff employed through the area office have signed up to and adhere to the Save the Children Code of Conduct. • Ensure that the Area office clearly displays an up to date guideline to staff for reporting on breaches of the Code of Conduct and the Safeguarding Children policy. • Ensure that all other SC minimum standards are met • Ensure bi annual performance review process is in place and that programme managers (whether in programmes or support) review the technical performance of staff and that this is included in the assessment made of their performance by the Area Manager. • Support the HR/Admin Officer in consolidating the Human Resource Training and development requirements of staff in the Area office and submit them to HR • Ensure staff responsibilities are well-defined and understood; performance objectives are set against work plans and regularly monitored • To chair meetings of the senior management team that meets monthly to discuss program and administrative matters pertaining to the area office and ensures that the minutes of the same are shared with the Operations Director.
Administration • Oversee the introduction and application of appropriate administrative systems and procedures for office management, services, etc. • Ensure that clear and effective communication system and procedures are in place and are adhered to by all staff.
Security • Responsible for the security safety of all staff attached to the Area office • Responsible for maintaining an up to date understanding and analysis of the political and security situation in the area office region and for reporting on this to the Operations Director and Safety & Security Manager as requested • Immediately communicate to the Operations Director and the Safety & Security Manager all security incidents (as defined in the security guidelines) that affect Save the Children UK Kenya Programme – directly or indirectly • Take necessary measures to ensure the safety of all staff of SC UK in the region. This includes ensuring the adherence to SC’s security policies and guidelines and ensuring that plans are in place in the event of the need to close the office as a result of insecurity.
General statement of responsibility • Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child protection, the Code of Conduct, Health and safety, fraud, whistle blowing, equal opportunities and other relevant policies • Comply with the Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and other established policies, plans and procedures within the criteria set • Account for SC’s assets and interests and safeguard from loss arising from fraud, waste, weak administration and poor value for money • Ensure that all transactions that might have a financial consequence are legal and transparent, taking professional advice where appropriate • Perform other tasks as requested by his/her immediate supervisor.
Working Contacts Internal: All members of the Nairobi office SMT and all Area office staff External: Appropriate government authorities/offices, NGO partners and other stakeholders.
Code of Conduct Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.
Person Specification: Essential • Preferably a Masters degree in project management, public/ business administration, social sciences or other related fields with a minimum of 7 years experience in a senior management role with a leading NGO, INGO or Donor. • A thorough understanding of children’s rights and of child rights programming. • Experience of working collaboratively with local and national government, with NGO partners and a commitment to working through systems of community participation. • High levels of initiative coupled with diplomacy and tact; demonstrated capacity to work independently and meet deadlines • Proven ability to develop and lead a high performing team. • Excellent written communications skills including proposal/report-writing and experience in representation. • Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children UK vision, mission and values. • Finance management and strong budget management skills • Proficiency in Microsoft Office • Willingness to work and live in a hardship area
How to apply Please apply online via the website: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/jobs.htm Job reference number: 6572
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