The Head of Programmes (HoP) will lead, develop, and manage the programmes team to achieve the aspirations of WAR Child CAR Country Strategy 2021-2024 through programme development, effective coordination, consolidation, partnership and network building, technical support, and guidance by ensuring a cohesive team spirit and motivation to perform. The HoP will ensure effective and quality implementation of the CAR portfolio, ensuring monitoring, evaluation and learning continuously informs programme implementation and design. The HoP will lead the planning and the development of the proposals/concept notes for CAR in line with the Country Strategy and Annual Plan.

If you share our values and believe that children’s lives should not be torn apart by war, we want to hear from you.

Your role

An integral part of the Senior Management Team in country, the Head of Programmes will provide strategic leadership to programmes teams in CAR, ensuring programme quality, high quality project design and fund-raising, and effective implementation of projects. It is a critical role requiring a motivated and experienced individual with a desire for a new and exciting challenge in a fast, growing organisation. The role ensures information from the country programme is shared across departments and will represent War Child at the highest levels; donors, national authorities, clusters and national partners in CAR. Ensure strategic presence of WCUK staff in key humanitarian and development forums and clusters. Represent the organization in strategic forums. Develop and foster partnerships with donors, UN agencies, INGOs, and other key actors. 

 The role is managed by the Country Director in CAR.

Your responsibilities

Programme Planning, Management and Implementation

·        Provide leadership in program strategy development in the themes of Child protection, education and livelihoods, ensuring cross cutting themes (gender, disability and accountability) are integrated in programme engagements.

·        Lead on the development of programme ideas into quality grant proposals through a community- based and participatory approach.

·        Lead the planning and the development of high-quality technical proposals and budgets in line with War Child CAR Country Strategy and Annual Plan level priorities.

·        Lead on advocacy efforts in country and ensure synergies with global advocacy efforts and programming.

·        Ensure effective programme management and compliance according to quality standards  in remote locations and through partners.. 

Programme Quality

·        Contribute to establish quality assurance through enhancing program/project DME & Accountability processes/standards in line with W CUK and donors orientations, while building the capacity of staff in Desing, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (DMEAL) in accordance with WCUK's mission and Vision statements in CAR fragile context.

·        Maintain effective accountability and feedback mechanisms are in place, accessible to beneficiaries and community members, are utilized, learnings are incorporated, and outcomes fed back to relevant stakeholders

·        Ensuring programme quality and technical standards achieved across all programmes.

Fund Raising & Donor Relationship Management

·        Support the Country Director in developing and managing relationship within in-country donors and including the development of a plan to strengthen donor engagement and fundraising.

·        Develop project concepts and proposals in consultation with donors and partners

·        Ensure fundraising efforts at the country level are coordinated and strategic, in line with global and national level priorities.

·        Support the Country Director to develop and foster partnerships with donors, UN agencies, INGOs and other key actors.

Partnership Management and Networking

·        Represent WCUK in strategic forums at both national and international level and ensure its participation in key humanitarian and development forums, clusters, and with partners.

·        Support the Project Managers and Project coordinators  in strengthening our relationship with the strategic networks and partnerships.

·        Ensure effective information flow and communication with other stakeholders including partners and international teams.

·        Ensure effective partnerships at all levels as per standard procedures and guidelines of the organization.

·        Lead the localization of War child in CAR through an effective and transparent due diligence process,  capacity building programme, proper monitoring and measurement of partners parformance. 

Operations Management and Compliance

·        Work closely with the SMT in country to ensure relevant, effective and efficient operations support systems are in place for effective and efficient programme implementation.

·        Work closely with the Finance team and the Programme Operations Coordinator to ensure timely implementation of grants and monitor expenditure to reduce the risk of disallowable costs.

·        Oversee grant review processes and tracking systems to ensure timely and effective implementation of programmes.

·        Maintain overview of internal and external programmatic audits and ensure any findings/ recommendations are acted upon.

·        Contribute to creating a culture committed to the safeguarding of children and adults and compliant to WCUK’s Child Safeguarding Policies. 

People Management

·        Provide line management and leadership to Project Managers/Heads of Base, ensuring quality programme implementation and effective support.

·        Motivate and engage staff promoting effective cohesion and identity across the department. Ensuring that WCUK’s standards and values are known and followed within the mission.

·        Oversee work of a multi-location and multi-skilled team, ensuring quality outcomes and collaboration within the team to achieve programme strategy.

·        Coordinate the design of a research and learning agenda for CAR.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

You have

·        Significant experience in successfully designing and delivering strategies for programmes at scale.

·        Knowledge and experience of programme management in complex multi-stakeholder programmes.

·        Technical competencies in child protection, education and livelihoods.

·        Skills and proven background in monitoring and evaluation and the ability to provide organisational leadership in this area.

·        Proven leadership skills and the ability to manage, motivate and inspire a diverse team.

·        Proven ability to influence others to achieve successful outcomes, including government, UN agencies and donors through successful advocacy.

·        Ability to collaborate and form effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

·        Capacity to juggle multiple stakeholders and keep them engaged.

·        Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to make effective decisions.

·        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

·        Fluency in English and French.

Child safeguarding and Adults at Risk

Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm