Head of Programs Delivery AFRICA&ASIA At Feed the Children

The Regional Head of Programs (HOP) is a key leadership and management position for FTC Africa and ASIA and works closely with the Country Director and Senior Program Management Team to set the overall strategic direction of the program portfolio. The HOP is responsible for new business development and management oversight of FTC Africa and Asia programs, building and sustaining motivated and creative teams, ensuring technical quality and cross-program synergies and fundraising strategically. S/he builds and maintains strong relationships with all agency stakeholders, and a productive and thoughtful work environment between the Programs and Support teams. The HOP works closely with the MEL team to ensure programs are of high quality, demonstrate evidence as well as strong communications, influence, accountability, and overall quality assurance. S/he will assure that FTC Africa and Asia’s portfolio has a relief to resilience framework, prioritizing innovative and impactful durable solutions for the communities in which we work, while ensuring humanitarian needs are being met. S/he provides leadership and mentorship to the program team, is responsible for staff development.

The successful candidate will be a team player that is an adaptive thought-partner and leader with a focus on delivery of quality and impactful programming. S/he will be committed to gender and social diversity and will serve as a role model for FTC’ project managers, but also support staff, partners, and other stakeholders.

• Supervisory Responsibility

  Program Directors and Senior/Program Managers, based in or working on the various programs and other new areas as they come online.

  Reports Directly To: CIOCFO

  Works Directly With: Senior Management team including MEL Director, Finance Director, COP, Senior Operations Manager, Human Resource Manager, Program Managers, Project Coordinators, Program Staff.

  Accountability to Participants and Stakeholder

Principal Responsibilities

Strategy, Vision & Leadership

• The HOP is responsible for building, executing, analyzing and improving the Programs Strategy for Africa and Asia Country offices
• In partnership with the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) ensures the development of the countries wide strategic plan that reflects the portfolio of programs, including development of annual Fiscal Year Plans and sector strategies.
• Ensure program portfolio champions FTC relief to resilience approach and leverages the agency expertise around markets in crisis.
• In partnership with the MEL team ensures cross portfolio and program communication and learning.
• In partnership with SMT organize and facilitate country-level platforms for exchange including senior management meetings and other methods of engagement.
• Ensure integration and linkages across portfolios of work, programs, and field offices.
• In partnership with the Country Director and assistance from SMT lead new business development initiatives including managing and coordinating proposal development efforts, donor engagement and communications.
• Ensure new business opportunities are in line with FTC Africa and Asia’s strategic vision and deliver impact, match donor requirements, and address the local needs of communities.
• Continue to look for new and innovative opportunities and ensure ongoing development of an idea/innovation pipeline to push forward innovations.

Quality Portfolio Management & Implementation

• Ensure programs are implemented in ways that are responsive to the communities, in line with FTC principles, values and strategic planning, and follow FTC compliance procedures.
• In partnership with the MEL team ensure that programs are managed and meet the minimum standards for program management.
• Ensure teams have access to essential technical expertise and support with an emphasis on Food and Nutrition, Education, Livelihoods and Heath and water development projects.
• Ensure all program leads are using program management tools to ensure programming it on-time, on-scope and on-budget and using effective operational systems, including finance, logistics, security, and administration.
• Ensure programs are coordinated and create opportunities for strategic discussion from the field teams to management and vice versa on implementation issues.
• Oversight of the development of high-quality donor reports for all programs under supervision prior to submission to the donor.
• Ensure transparent use of financial resources in compliance with FTC and donor policies and procedures.

Team Management & Commitment to Team Development

• Directly supervise relevant program managers.
• Work with Senior FTC Africa and Asia Staff to recruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient national and expatriate team; incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management systems into team building processes.
• Ensure program team members have Individual Operating Plans (IOPs) and are reviewed and provided with feedback on a formal and regular basis.
• Mentor and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development for program staff in accordance with FTC’ commitment to excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.

Representation and Diplomacy

• With support from the Country Directors, develop and maintain both internal and external relationships to ensure optimum program success including FTC headquarters and regional offices and teams, international and local NGOs, government officials, donor community officials, diplomatic corps and embassies, private sector partners, vendors, media and the general public.
• In partnership with the MEL Director and Country Director developed an influence plan and strategy.

Job Level Specifications

• Demonstrated computer-operating skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products, and other virtual technologies, Data management software, operations scorecards.
• Technical expertise in international programs development.
• Broad knowledge of country development situation
• Strong communication and representational skills, including oral, written, and public speaking.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of time per year in the US and internationally, to insecure countries or locations.

Experience

• 5-7 years’ experience administering donor grants for a variety of sectoral areas; specific experience in Food and Nutrition, Education, Livelihoods and Heath and water development projects.
• 5-7 years’ demonstrated ability to build staff capacity in cross-cultural settings as well as excellent team-building and interpersonal skills.
• 5-7 years of field experience, in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Verifiable record of developing successful proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission.
• 5-7 years’ experience with donor requirements of USAID/USG, SIDA, DFID, corporations, private donors and/or foundations.
• History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners.

Education/Certifications

• MA/S or equivalent in management, international development or other relevant field; some economic development studies required.

Safeguarding Policy

FTC strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FTC holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FTC expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FTC work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FTC Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.