Concern Sierra Leone is highly regarded for its innovative programmes in health, education, WASH and livelihoods/food security. With a growing budget and dynamic team, Concern implements programmes in both development and humanitarian response in primarily four districts of Sierra Leone – Freetown and its hinterland (Western Area Urban & Rural Districts), Port Loko and Tonkolili Districts - with a smaller presence in five other districts.

Your purpose: You will have overall responsibility for the strategic development and management of the Concern Sierra Leone country programme. You will ensure that the country programme meets objectives as set out in agreed strategic plans, annual plans and programme proposals. You will also ensure the country programme is in line with Concern Worldwide policies, procedures and meets the Core Humanitarian Standard. You will lead the Country Management Team and represent the organisation with government, donors and other international organisations.

About the role: This is a 36-month (contract length negotiable), replacement role based in Freetown with a salary of Grade 7 (from €59,819 to €66,465 per annum). This role is fully accompanied (spouse and children).

We would like you to start by early October 2023, but start date is negotiable.

Reports To: Regional Director.

Direct line reports: Programmes Director (PD), Systems Director (SD), Country Financial Controller (CFC), Area Coordinator Tonkolili & Port Loko (AC). Two new roles are being planned - Partnership Manager and Safeguarding Adviser – that may report directly to the CD. Overall responsibility for all staff in the country programme.

Liaises With:

  • Concern Head Office – International Programmes Directorate (especially Regional Desk and International Funding Support Unit), Emergency Directorate, Strategy Advocacy & Learning Directorate (technical advisers, etc.), HR, Finance and operations directorates.
  • Government, Donors, UN Agencies, NGO and other Partners.

You will be responsible for:

Leadership & Strategic Direction:

  • Lead the Country Management Team (PD, SD, CFC, AC and Snr. HR Coordinator) and support them and the wider Concern team to achieve strategic objectives and organisational outcomes. Encourage high standards of performance across the Sierra Leone through leading by example.
  • Produce an updated Country Strategic Plan, ensuring a participative and inclusive process with collegiate decision making as much as possible. Regularly monitor and review the CSP.
  • Adapt and maintain fit for purpose staff capacity, organisational structures and programme approaches, which are able to deliver strategic organisational goals effectively.
  • Engage with major organisational advocacy issues, providing support and leadership for key strategic campaigns.

Risk Management & Accountability:

  • Ensure optimal use of financial resources, managed in a transparent and accountable manner, consistent with Concern’s and donor policies, systems and procedures, delivering quality results and demonstrating value for money.
  • Respond robustly to any suspicions or reports of fraud, code of conduct abuses or other misdemeanours, and adhere to Concern’s policy and procedures on investigations.
  • Ensure Concern complies with all relevant national legal and administrative requirements.
  • Regularly review and identify key risks and implement mitigating measures with the Country Management Team and other key managers/staff as necessary.

Security Management

  • Establish and maintain an effective safety and security management system to meet agreed standards and effectively respond to any security incidents, mitigating their effects.
  • Ensure all staff are aware of and adhere to the Security Management Plan.

Programme Development & Implementation:

  • Liaising with head and support offices, ensure sufficient funding and financial resources are in place for continual programming in country.
  • Support the Programmes Director to ensure that programmes are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in line with Concern Worldwide policies. Ensure that all programmes incorporate a strong MEAL and results-based management approach.
  • Enable an organisational culture that supports effective learning, sharing and continual improvement of programme quality.
  • Ensure effective external communication of learning and evidence from Concern’s programmes and utilise this for advocacy with government and other stakeholders on their policies & strategies.

Support Systems & People Management:

  • Support and guide the Systems and Finance functions to provide effective and efficient administrative, logistical and financial support to staff of Concern Worldwide.
  • Support the CFC in budget preparation, revision and monitoring; ensuring that budget holders actively manage their cost centres and prepare accurate budgets in line with the annual plan.
  • Ensure that Concern Sierra Leone’s IT systems provide efficient and effective communication and data management for the organisation, linking with Concern Worldwide’s global IT systems.
  • Support and guide the HR function to ensure competent and empowered human resources, within a fair, diverse and efficient workplace.
  • Ensure the National HR Manual and HR policies are in line with organisational and national legal requirements and all staff are aware of and comply with these.
  • Undertake initiatives to ensure a good working environment and team spirit so that Concern is perceived to be an employer of choice for national and international staff.
  • Ensure all recruitments are conducted on a timely basis for all positions (job requisition preparation, advertisements, tests and interviews, etc.).
  • Ensure staff Performance and Development Review’s (PDR) are undertaken for all staff with appropriate training, development and career opportunities identified.

Representation & Networking:

  • Create a strong and visible profile for the organisation, as a leading actor in the fight against extreme poverty, inequality and vulnerability to disasters.
  • Communicate information regarding Concern and its programme at National level to Government, Donors, NGOs, alliances including Alliance2015 partners and networks across a range of fora.
  • Ensure strong advocacy on key organisational and country specific issues
  • Engage appropriately with the media to ensure that Concern's values, vision and programmes are highlighted.
  • Represent Concern Worldwide in strategic national and international meetings.
  • Ensure relationships and formal agreements with the government are maintained and updated.

Accountability

  • Promote and ensure compliance with Concern Worldwide’s commitments and quality criteria under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
  • Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern's Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) and that information about Concern's commitments on accountability and safeguarding are effectively disseminated among programme participants and communities.
  • Ensure that the CRM is functional, effectively implemented and accessible in all programme locations, enabling the safe reporting of programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns.
  • Ensure that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner; that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are handled with utmost confidentiality; and that the safety of the complainants and those affected is prioritised at all stages.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

  • Relevant postgraduate qualification.
  • Three to five years’ international experience in senior position with an international NGO.
  • Management of diverse and multi-sectoral programmes.
  • Previous work in a similar context, with knowledge of West Africa an asset.
  • Management of a diverse team of senior staff.
  • Management of systems (logistics, HR) and finance functions.
  • Working with major international donors and securing external donor funding, including knowledge of donor compliance.
  • Knowledge and experience of incorporating key approaches across programmes.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a confidence to engage and represent

Concern at public fora, media and with government and donors.

  • Delegation, time management and prioritizing skills.
  • Computer literate and good knowledge of Word and Excel.
  • Excellent English.
  • Empathy with Concern’s mission, vision and goals, and our target group.

We would also like:

  • You to be flexible and reliable.
  • You to be culturally sensitive and empathic to others.
  • You to be able to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.
  • You to have a sense of humour or ability to create a positive work environment.

This role is urgent and we may offer the position before the closing date.

Apply via https://jobs.concern.net/jobs/international/vacancy/1950/Relief%20Web/detail

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