Right To Play International Manager, Program Operations

Closing Date: July 19, 2013 Organization: Right To Play International Department/Division: International Programs Work location: Toronto, Canada Authorized to Work in: Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen or permanent resident) BACKGROUND: Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps one million children weekly in more than 20 countries to build essential life skills and better futures, while driving lasting social change. Founded in 2000 by four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national offices in Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and regional offices in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 13,500 volunteer Coaches. Visit us at www.RightToPlay.com

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director, Program Operations, the Manager, Program Operations serves as the principal support function to ensure quality program management, implementation and compliance of assigned regional portfolios, including Asia, Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa. A member of the Program Operations unit and the International Programs team, the ultimate goal of the position is to increase the unit’s efficiency and effectiveness in supporting Right To Play’s program operations. Specifically, this role is responsible for supporting regional and country teams in the development and finalization of a number of different program management and planning initiatives, most notably annual work planning, program finance and donor agreement management, and work processes and systems efforts, including the revision and development of organizational programmatic policies and procedures. The Manager, Program Operations is instrumental in helping the International Programs Team achieve its goals. S/he participates in, coordinates and/or leads cross-team initiatives related to planning and program development and implementation, and will at times also represent the senior team or the organization in internal and external capacities. Based in Toronto, the Manager, Program Operations will travel to Right To Play countries within the assigned regional portfolios. Up to 30% travel to selected areas within scope of regional responsibility.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Job Responsibility #1: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING (45% of Time): The Manager, Program Operations participates, provides support and coordination, and occasionally leads a number of program management and planning initiatives, both internal and external in scope. These responsibilities include: • Donor Agreement Management. Support Regional/ Country Offices, National Office and Headquarters staff to achieve successful compliance of donor agreements, most notably the development and submission of top quality narrative and financial reports that are submitted in a timely manner. Support or lead donor stewardship efforts. • Program Finance. Support and coordinate colleagues at Headquarters to complete a number of periodic and on-going program finance initiatives, including but not limited to monthly projections, quarterly budget vs. actual reviews, revenue recognition, and funding frameworks. • Planning, Supervisory and Support Visits. Based on the identification of need, coordinate and participate in planning and support visits to relevant regions and countries. Ensure the promotion of best practice and lessons learned by documenting successes and areas of improvement. Provide support to regions and countries during times of leadership transitions by taking on ‘acting’ roles for periods of up to 3 months. • Annual Planning Development. Support the determination of regional budget allowances, and assist regional and country teams in the development and finalization of annual plans. Contribute to the development and finalization of the International Programs team plan.

Job Responsibility #2: WORK PROCESSES & SYSTEMS (25% of Time): The Manager, Program Operations, in collaboration with Headquarters colleagues from Human Resources and Finance, supports regional and country teams to ensure that their respective operations are in compliance with organizational policies and procedures, and that work processes and systems are implemented with efficiency and effectiveness. These responsibilities include: • Portal. Participate in the development and implementation of a web based portal for global access that will house all organizational programmatic policies and procedures and provide a ‘help desk’ for operational related issues. • Human Resources. Participate in the revision and/ or creation of appropriate policies and procedures. Support the roll-out and implementation of Right To Play’s performance management system to Regional/ Country Offices, as identified. • Program Finance. Participate in the Program Finance Working Group, working both independently and as a team to address identified gaps and priorities. • Safety and Security. Support the review of existing and related country safety and security plans. Participate in the development of a revised and comprehensive safety and security manual, and support the development of country safety and security plans. Provide ongoing support to the implementation of safety and security guidelines throughout all program countries.

Job Responsibility #3: INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS TEAM SUPPORT (20% of Time): Working within the broader International Programs Team, the Manager, Program Operations will support, coordinate and participate in a number of IP Team unit initiatives. These responsibilities include: • Country Strategic Planning. Support the Global Program Development unit in the development and finalization of Country Strategic Plans, most notably the participation in related working groups, and the development of relevant country human resource plans and budgets. • Program Implementation Planning (PIP). In collaboration with the Institutional Fundraising unit, lead, support, and/ or participate in the coordination and implementation of PIP meetings. • Proposal Development and Communications Materials. Support the Institutional Fundraising unit in the coordination and development of proposals as well as program and project communication/stewardship materials. • Program Evaluations. Support the Evaluation, Learning and Policy unit in the coordination and completion of program evaluations.

Job Responsibility #4: REPRESENTATION (10% of Time): The Manager, Program Operations both supports the representation of the senior members of the International Programs team, and also represents the organization in a number of different internal and external venues. These responsibilities include: • Internal. Support IP Team participation in International Board of Directors (IBOD), IBOD Program Committee meetings, and Global Leadership Team meetings through the development of appropriate materials. As required, represent the International Programs Team in Global Leadership Team meetings. • External. Support, and as required, lead, the strengthening and development of ongoing and new partnerships including INGOs, NGOs, and UN agencies.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION: Required • Undergraduate degree in International Development or related field.

Desired • Masters/ Post graduate degree in International Development or related field.

EXPERIENCE Required: • 7-10 years of professional experience in role(s) with comparable levels of complexity and technical relevance in both field and Headquarters contexts. • 3-5 years of experience managing and/or coordinating aid and/or development programs in developing or conflict-affected countries • Experience coordinating, supporting and completing initiatives within complex, cross-functional organizations, including program development, implementation, stewardship and closure. • Experience in Results Based Management. • Experience in managing or supporting the management of grants and cooperation agreements for government donors. • Experience in planning, budgeting and financial management.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED: • Fluency in Spanish; ability to communicate in languages of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Urdu, Pashto, and Thai an asset. • Knowledge and understanding of International Development and Sport for Development and Peace sectors including issues, key players and stakeholders, and the role of the United Nations. • Understanding of donor rules and regulations in relation to program implementation and management. • Understanding of complex challenges in implementing projects and programs in developing and conflict-affected countries • Analytical and written skills, highlighted by the writing of plans, reports and briefs. • Understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and analysis of budget vs. actual expenditure. • Understanding of operational planning cycles, and their development, review and finalization. • Understanding of key work processes and systems in relation to human resources, finance and safety and security. • Ability to coordinate and support cross-organizational initiatives. • Skill in mentoring peers. • Ability to identify potential partners, broker partnerships and strengthen existing relationships.

COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: • Commitment to the organizational mission, purpose and goals. • Demonstrated high level of interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, social and political issues. • Use of persuasive skills to convince others to accept recommendations that will involve their support or commitment. • Anticipates and manages related conflicts independently. Involves supervisors to mitigate, as required. • Sets clear and achievable priorities. As issues arise, is flexible and open to adapting and revising priorities. • Ability to pragmatically solve problems and plan a course of action using analytical, conceptual, strategic and forward thinking abilities to achieve an effective resolution. Considers the wider implications to the organization, partners, donors, and governments. • Champions the culture of continuous improvement that institutionalizes learning, innovation, achievement and support. Ensures these attributes are given priority attention while conducting the business of the organization. • Identifies and pursues opportunities to build and strengthen partnerships and alliances that are mutually advantageous and support strategic interests of Right To Play.
• Values and recognizes individual and team contributions.

Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package Employment Start Date: Immediately Contract Duration: Full Time, Indefinite

How to apply:

HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to:hr@righttoplay.com and kindly include “Manager, Program Operations-ReliefWeb” and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Right To Play is a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com.