Head Of Programmes

Job Title: Head of Programmes
Reporting to: Country Director
Contract Type: 24-month fixed term contract, full-time
Principal Location: Maiduguri with frequent travel within Nigeria
Updated: June 2024

Role Purpose:

As the Head of Programmes for Street Child Nigeria, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective design, implementation, and evaluation of our programs aimed at keeping children safe, in school, and learning. Reporting directly to the Country Director, you will oversee programmatic activities, ensuring they align with our strategic objectives and deliver measurable impact. Your role will involve close collaboration with local partners, fostering a localisation first approach, and ensuring that our programmes are responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. Through rigorous program management, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building, you will drive the success of Street Child's initiatives. In addition, you will act as head of the Maiduguri office, deputising for the Country Director as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Design, Implementation and Leadership:

• Collaborate with local partners to co-create programmes that are relevant, sustainable and respond to the needs of the most marginalised children.
• In close collaboration with the Country Director, act as the lead in the design and development of innovative programmes that address the needs of children, ensuring alignment with Street Child's mission and country strategy.
• Oversee the implementation of programmes, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Support the County Director in building and maintaining a high capacity and highly motivated programme team.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:

• Guide the MEAL team in developing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the progress and impact of programmes.
• Conduct regular field visits to oversee programme activities and provide technical support to field teams.
• Support/guide the MEAL team analysis of programme data to inform decision-making and improve programme effectiveness.
• Lead the program review cycle, ensuring that lessons learned are documented and shared, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Capacity Building and Support:

• Facilitate the provision of technical guidance, capacity building, and learning exchange with partners and programme staff, enhancing skills and knowledge.
• Facilitate training and workshops to collectively strengthen the capacity of our partnerships in programme design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Support local ownership of programmes and promote sustainability by supporting local partners to identify capacity gaps and to strengthen their organisational capabilities.

Strategic Planning and Coordination:

• Contribute to the development and refinement of Street Child's country strategy, ensuring programmatic activities align with strategic goals.
• Coordinate with other departments, including finance and operations, to ensure integrated and cohesive programme delivery.
• Engage in strategic planning processes, providing input on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Resource Mobilisation and Proposal Development:
• Support the Country Director in identifying funding opportunities and developing proposals that align with Street Child's strategic objectives and donor priorities.
• Lead programme-specific proposal development, ensuring technical soundness and alignment with community needs.
• Maintain strong relationships with donors, providing timely and accurate programme updates and reports.

Advocacy and External Engagement:

• Represent Street Child in programme-related forums, networks, and working groups, advocating for the needs and rights of children.
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to promote collaborative efforts.
• Support the Country Director in external engagements, ensuring consistent and impactful advocacy messaging.

Administration and Finance:

• Guide operations in the compliance with all host country legal, contractual, labour, and statutory requirements
• With support from the Finance Team ensure that all finance policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Ensure with the Operations Manager the establishment and maintenance of a functional procurement and supply chain management system.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Extensive experience in programme management in the humanitarian or development sector, with a strong track record of successful programme design and delivery.
• Demonstrable experience in leading complex multi-sectorial emergency response and development programmes.
• Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating programmes that achieve sustainable impact.
• Minimum of 8 years of development and humanitarian aid management experience in complex environments and natural disasters.
• Experience in proposal development and resource mobilisation, with a successful track record of securing funding.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in developing and utilising monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and supporting local partners.
• Commitment to Street Child's mission and values, with a passion for empowering vulnerable communities and promoting local ownership of programmes.
• Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required; knowledge of relevant local languages is an asset.
• Position open for national and international staff.
  

To Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early application is encouraged.