Save the Children recruits a Head of Programmes – Health – (200002Y3)

TITLE:  Head of Programmes Health (for Myanmar national only) 

The Head of Programme (HoP) Health provides technical and managerial oversight and support for the implementation of Save the Children Myanmar’s health project portfolio which includes a wide extensive range of health interventions focused on Malaria, health systems strengthening and convergence, Maternal, Newborn and Child health. This complex portfolio is implemented throughout the country, through a number of grants and with the support of a variety of donors.

The HoP provides technical and managerial oversight, capacity building of the sector implementation team, sector and cross-departmental coordination, and is responsible for budgetary and programmatic oversight of the sector portfolio.

The HoP works in close coordination with other relevant Technical Advisors, such as the Health and Nutrition Adviser, who are based in the Programme Development and Quality Department. This work includes sector strategy, advocacy, programme development, identification and design of technical assistance to projects and partners and proposal development.

The HoP also ensures that all project reports and publications, including SC Member and donor reports, are prepared to a high quality and submitted on time in line with agreed deadlines. 

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

 

Reports to: Programme Implementation Director

 

Staff reporting to this post: (Senior) Health Programme Managers

 

Budget Responsibilities: $5 million per year

 

Financial Approval: Budget Allocation on General Funds over 10,000 USD

 

External Representation: Interpersonal contact regular and varied in both oral and written. Negotiation and representation with senior level representatives including government level decision makers, donors, wider SC community

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

Team Management and Development

  • Directly manage Yangon-based Health Programme Managers, Senior Programme Manager and Health Implementation Manager;
  • Ensure technical line management of Programme Managers and other sector Project and Programme Managers based in regional and field offices
  • Lead and manage the Programme Implementation Health sector team, ensure the recruitment, training and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities.
  • Ensure effective collaboration and coordination between the Health Programme and Project Manager(s), and operational managers in the field and react quickly and decisively to bring any internal team challenges and problems to a swift and satisfactory resolution
  • Ensure that the sector team proactively builds and maintains technical skills and competencies required for leading and developing first class programmes
  • Ensure the effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations
  • Ensure the documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, develop appropriate performance improvements / work plans and take appropriate performance management actions in line with country programme/SCI policy.

Leadership and Representation

  • Ensure the implementation of a high quality and innovative health programme through integration, expansion and growth of existing projects and strengthening links across the teams and projects
  • Engage directly with SC Members as needed to ensure that projects receive effective member support.
  • Represent Save the Children at national and international events and proactively explore opportunities to engage in advocacy work to change policies and practices for wider and lasting impact on the lives of children in Myanmar
  • In conjunction with the Health and Nutrition Advisers, proactively engage in health forums and activities
  • Build a network of support with a range of stakeholders including: international and national NGOs, UN agencies, donors and government and ministries and mobilize their support for effective implementation and wider sector programming

Programme Growth and Learning

  • Ensure project learning informs programme strategies and implementation and contributes to advocacy actions and initiatives and supports the Health technical advisor team in the development of key documents within the SCI M&E system (Country Annual Plan, Country Strategic Plan, Total Reach, Advocacy Measurement Tool and Country Annual Report)
  • Ensure that projects have detailed Theory of Change plans, linked to the programme wide MEAL system and that project knowledge and learning feeds into project and programme designs
  • In coordination with other Heads of Programmes and technical Programme Advisors, establish and participate in cross departmental teams in developing high quality proposals.
  • Ensure coordination, communication and liaison with key stakeholders including: relevant line Ministries, UN agencies, international and national NGOs and other relevant civil society organisations
  • Maintain links with relevant SCI regional and SC Member Advisors and contribute to regional and global information sharing and learning
  • Ensure that project reports and publications are of a high quality and produced on time, in line with agreed deadlines
  • Maintain and overview of long and short term emergency risks and hazards in Myanmar and support emergency preparedness planning and implementation (as required)

Project Delivery and Quality

  • Ensure that Programme and Project Manager(s) and their teams implement projects in line with project plans and work with Managers and their teams to innovate and be responsive to changing internal and external factors
  • Maintain an overview of project and sector budgets and ensure that Programme and Project Manager(s) develop timely solutions to project’s under and over spends in line with SC Member and donor requirements
  • Oversee and provide direct technical support and ensure teams access adequate technical support to deliver high quality projects and support the establishment of innovative and collaborative working approaches to ensure continual learning and programme and operational improvement.
  • Support field teams in identifying and supporting civil society partners including: partner assessments/risk analysis, capacity building, planning and technical support
  • Provide technical input and support to staff developing and implementing emergency response programmes

Child Safeguarding Responsibilities:

Ensure that your staff is providing all beneficiaries of your programme with ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS 

 

Education:

  • Bachelor Degree in medicine
  • Post-Graduate Degree in Public Health or Management

 

Skills and Experience:

  • At least 7 years experience in development programming in the health sector
  • Minimum 3 years experience managing more than one development/humanitarian projects
  • Work experience in and deep understanding of the Myanmar context required

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

 

Communication and Technical Skills

  • Excellent personal coordination and organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
  • Ability to negotiate among diverse and complex internal and external actors and stakeholders
  • Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and think and plan strategically
  • Willingness to travel to field offices and work in difficult environments according to travel requirements
  • Demonstrated experience in building a strong and effective team including members of diverse technical areas, skill levels and backgrounds
  • An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues related to health
  • Experience and ability to analyse health information, evaluate health options and think and plan strategically
  • Experience working on community-driven projects, supporting community structures and leaders to implement effective health interventions
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal in both English and Myanmar

Management:

  • Excellent people management skills/experience and proven ability to create an environment which encourages team-work and motivates a team across various geographical areas
  • Proven experience in effective programme planning and strategic management, monitoring and evaluation, project development and report writing
  • Experience in managing complex, cross-sectoral programmes
  • Experience and demonstrated knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and of managing large grants and diverse portfolios
  • Results focused and ability to develop and drive innovative programmatic and operational solutions

General:

  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation developing effective working relationships to deliver outstanding results for children
  • Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.

Willingness and capability to comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to health and safety, security, equal opportunities and other relevant policies, including the Child Safeguarding Policy

The Organisation 

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

  • No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
  • All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
  • Violence against children is no longer tolerated

 

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