CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Save the Children
Country: Rwanda
Closing date: 27 Oct 2014

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Education Signature Programme Director, the Literacy Boost Programme Manager is accountable for the management of the implementation of the Literacy Boost component of Save the Children’s Education Signature Programme. The Literacy Boost Programme Manager will provide daily management, ongoing support and supervisory guidance to the Save the Children Literacy Boost team and cooperate with and support the partner organisation working in Gicumbi District. The position is based in Gicumbi field office.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management, Planning, Implementation of the Literacy Boost Project

Assuming overall responsibilities for managing Save the Children’s Literacy Boost activities in Gicumbi District, the Literacy Boost Programme Manager shall:

· Carry out detailed operational planning in collaboration with relevant SCUK Technical Advisors and Save the Children’s research partner on the project, Stanford University, including creating and continuously updating detailed work plans;

· Assuming budget holder responsibilities, including developing budget expenditure plans, reviewing budget monitoring and financial reports and ensuring that all planned expenditures are on track in compliance with the agreed budget lines and Save the Children’s financial regulations;

· Ensure that implementation remains in line with activity plans;

· Prepare monthly, quarterly and other reports in accordance with agreed schedules, including assuming responsibilities for collating information for reports from other parties within the donor report (partners or other projects);

· Highlight early to the Education Signature Programme Director and SCUK Technical Advisors any potential constraints to implementation of the Literacy Boost project so that action can be taken accordingly;

· Ensure that an appropriate filing system of all project documents is maintained;

· Periodically visit the project implementation area and generate qualitative visit reports;

· Document learning generated through the project and reflections on best practices;

· Support in the development of new project proposals based on learning and reflections from the project implementation;

· Collaborate with Save the Children’s partner, Umuhuza, ensuring that the different components of Literacy Boost – Teacher Training, Community Action and Assessment – are being implemented in a complementary manner.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

· Work with the SCI MEAL team to develop a project MEAL plan, ensure that MEAL tools are adopted and used appropriately, ensuring that data is collected at the field level and that learning is shared and utilized to improve implementation, in accordance with the responsibilities highlighted in the MEAL Scope of Work;

· Monitor progress of the Literacy Boost project against agreed targets and indicators;

· Support the MEAL team and researchers to ensure that research is qualitatively conducted;

· Ensure programme standards for information sharing with communities are posted in project service delivery sites, and staff actively share appropriate information with communities;

· Ensure accountability to beneficiaries data is regularly collected and reports produced;

· Regularly plan for and report on MEAL findings and experiences.

Staff Management and Development

· Assume Line management responsibilities for Save the Children’s Literacy Boost staff;

· Support in the management of support functions

· Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure appropriate professional development opportunities for staff;

· Manage the performance of all supervisees through: Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities; recognition and rewards for outstanding performance; and documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ workplans.

Gicumbi Field Office Management

· Ensure that the Gicumbi Field Office operates efficiently and effectively, according to SCI regulations and operating procedures;

· Report to the relevant department heads (e.g. HR, Finance, MEAL, other project teams) any concerns or problems arising within the office that need to be addressed;

· Take appropriate precautionary measures to ensure the safety and security of all Save the Children and Umuhuza staff, property and assets within the office;

· Ensure resources and services are appropriately shared between SC and the Partner (Umuhuza).

Save the Children Representation

· Establish and strengthen coordination mechanisms with District and Sector authorities and partner organizations;

· Through regular briefs and reports as well as attendance to JADF meetings and Open days, ensure that Save the Children’s activities in the district are known and appreciated by the relevant local authorities and civil society partners;

· As requested by Education Signature Programme Director, represent Save the Children at national or any other level meetings and forums;

· Build a strong collaborative relationship with the Rwandan Education Board (REB), other civil society organisations, relevant UN agencies and donors, ensuring that information about the Literacy Boost project and Education Signature Programme as a whole is well communicated and understood;

· Contribute to relevant working groups, task forces, and other literacy-focused forums including active participation in the RENCP TDEL Working Group and SCI Education forums;

· Use key lessons learned and evaluation results to contribute to policy discussions and advocacy.

Other

· Contribute to Education Signature Programme meetings and reviews, engaging with the other members of the ESP SLT to ensure that learning across projects is captured and used to inform programming across projects and locations;

· Support the Education Signature Programme Director in other programme tasks, as requested.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

· University degree in Education, Development Studies or other related field;

· Demonstrated experience (5 years or more) in planning and implementation of related activities;

· Demonstrated experience in management;

· A sound understanding of the education sector and the challenges and opportunities for literacy acquisition in Rwanda;

· Experience of using M&E systems to generate evidence for programmes;

· Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically;

· Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English, and strong inter-personal skills;

· Understanding of and commitment to SCI mission, values and child rights-based programming approaches;

· Ability to work successfully with minimal administrative support and strong IT skills including Microsoft Office, and web based communication.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS FOR THE POSITION (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

· Creates a managerial environment to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding

Ambition:

· Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

· Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

· Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

· Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.

Creativity:

· Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

· Cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach

Integrity:

· Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence

· Displays consistent excellent judgement

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send an application letter plus an updated Curriculum Vitae in English, including 3 names of professional referees to: HR-Rwanda@savethechildren.org before 27^th October 2014.

Kindly, mention “APPLICATION FOR LITERACY BOOST MANAGER POSITION” in the subject mail.

*Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.