Country: Iraq
Closing date: 13 Mar 2016
Position: Area Programme Manager (APM), Duhok
Reports to: Country Director
Location: Duhok, KRI, Iraq
Line Management Responsibility:
· Directly reporting to APM: PO (Education), PO (Child Protection), Finance Officer, Admin/logs/HR Assistant
· Indirectly reporting to APM: The War Child Dohuk team.
Contract: Fixed term 12 Month Contract
1. Overview
1.1. Background
War Child UK (WCUK) works with children who, as a result of conflict, live with a combination of poverty, exclusion and insecurity. These children might include street children, child headed households, children associated with armed groups, and children who have been put in prison. Our mission is to support and strengthen the protective environment around all the children we serve. We look forward to a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war. This is a vision that can only be realised through the collective actions of children themselves, communities and their leaders, other NGOs, governments and key decision makers.
1.2. Purpose of the Role
The Area Programme Manager (APM) is responsible for War Child operations in Duhok. The Area Programme Manager will be expected to lead on programme development and management. S/he will supervise and work directly with his/her team in Duhok and the country office in Erbil. APM is responsible for the management and coordination of project activities, overseeing efficient implementation of the programme, financial management of the programme, advocacy, M&E and respecting accountability and compliance requirements of War Child and its donors, beneficiaries and the local government authorities. S/he is further responsible for development of new initiatives, safety and security of the team, representation and coordination with the UN clusters, local authorities and other agencies, and conduct performance management of the team members reporting to the position.
The APM will ensure compliance with War Child policies and procedures, including the clear and consistent application of child safeguarding and code of conduct policies.
- Key Responsibilities
2.1.Strategy and policy development
o APM will contribute to strategic and policy debate and drafts shared for input/ feedback as well as take lead in developing some of these
o S/he will assist the CD in developing a country strategy for Iraq and actively participate in the process and writing up sections of the strategy document
2.2.Programme development and management
The APM ensures that programme delivery is on track, and that organisational policies and procedures are consistently applied in all operations and programming. The post is responsible for ensuring that projects are reported on in line with agreed project objectives and deadlines, and that agreed approaches to programme development and programme cycle management are applied. Further, the APM is responsible to:
o Prepare, update and implement project work plans and review progress on a monthly basis with input from partner and all members of team.
o Promote of participatory approaches in the programme, particular community and children’s participation
o Prepare regular reports on budgets and expenditures in collaboration with Finance/Operations Manager to track spending and take corrective action if necessary.
o Prepare timely narrative donor and internal reports.
o Work with CD to oversee management of grants including the timely implementation of planned activities and appropriate spending of funds.
o Ensure timely grant reporting that clearly relates to the stated goals and objectives of relevant grant and relates expenditures to activities.
o Identify funding gaps for programme activities and assist CD in programme development to ensure that funds are raised to address those gaps in annual planning.
o With teams, write and submit concept notes and proposals to ensure new funding is acquired to achieve strategic goals.
o Provide Country Director with technical assistance in writing new project initiatives and proposals
o Collaborate with Finance and Operations Manager on finances and budget tracking
o Conduct and or participate in field assessments and donor liaison as appropriate
o Mobilise support of government, NGO, and community stakeholders for garnering support for War Child activities at field level.
o Facilitate visits to the project sites by donor representatives, auditors, country office and HO
o Represent War Child at all relevant forums, cluster meetings and with local authorities.
o Identify advocacy issues in the programme and advocate with the concerned authorities, humanitarian actors, donors, UN and other actors
2.3.Capacity Building and Training
o Identify needs and design capacity building programme for partners, representatives of relevant government line departments in key areas including financial management, donor compliance, child protection and monitoring and evaluation.
o Deliver training and where appropriate enlist external expertise.
o Provide ongoing training and support to partner organisations and staff members.
o Comply fully and ensure partner compliance with War Child’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
2.4.Monitoring and Evaluation
o Develop M&E plans for all projects
o Perform project monitoring and evaluation in line with donor reporting requirements and log frame
o Maintain database with beneficiary numbers
o Facilitate internal and external evaluations of the project, using these as opportunities to document achievements, challenges and learning.
o Strengthen culture of accountability and learning within the team and in the course of project implementation
2.4.Compliance
o Ensure compliance with donor and War Child rules and regulations in all areas including financial management, record keeping and procurement
o Comply fully with WCUK’s finance, security and child protection policies and procedures, managed by the Country Director.
o Ensure that receipts and supporting documents are provided to the based Finance and Operations Manager and Finance Officer in line with donor and War Child requirements.
o Liaise with the Country Director and London based Programme Development and Grants Coordinator to resolve any budgeting issues.
o Ensure partner compliance with all of the above.
o Assist CD in identifying and approaching in-country donors for matched funding for projects and fund raising.
2.5.Human Resource Management
o Manage the team and ensure they have opportunities to build their experience and knowledge in the relevant sectors/ areas of focus for War Child
o Ensure all team members have a work plan, performance management plan is in place and regular performance reviews are conducted.
o Encourage the team on self-development approach and in this regard provide the necessary guidance
3. Job and person specifications
3.1. Experience
A minimum of 5 year experience of delivery and supervision of child protection, education and livelihoods programming in conflict and post-conflict environments, combining direct service delivery, capacity building of partner agencies, and advocacy through direct implementation and in partnership with state and non-state actors. Experience of institutional funding raising, proposal development and report writing is necessary.
3.2. Education and Expertise
o Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, social sciences or NGO Programme Management.
o Project and People management
o Best practice knowledge of child protection, gender sensitivity, the protective environment framework and child rights programming
o Sound knowledge of participatory approaches
o Fluency (written and verbal) in English; Arabic language skills preferred
o Proposal writing experience
o Setting up monitoring and evaluation systems
o Grant management and reporting – experience of working on EC/ECHO/DFID funded projects would be an advantage
o Rigorous budget and expenditure management
o Experience of working in emergency context
o Experience of working with children in conflict with the law
3.3. Qualities
o Team player
o Accurate, systematic, with an eye for detail
o Problem solver
o Calm under pressure
o Able to work in a small, dynamic organisation with limited resources
o Creative and innovative
o Commitment to War Child’s aims, values and mission
3.4. Contractual Terms
o Working Hrs: 37.5 hours per week – Fulltime
o Probation Period: 6 Months
o Travel: Within Iraq with occasional travel to the UK office for induction etc.
o Salary: £33,000 per annum
o Leave Entitlement: 30 days per annum
o Pension: Matching Contribution to your private pension up to 5% of gross salary
o Benefits: As per War Child’s International Staff Benefits policy.
How to apply:
· Download War Child Application Form and the completed Application Form must reach War Child at recruitment@warchild.org.uk by 11:59pm of Sunday 13th March 2016. Please note, we do not accept CVs.
· Due to limited resources War Child, HR will contact only the shortlisted candidates.
· First stage interviews will be held on week commencing 21st March 2016. There will be an exercise to complete as part of the assessment on the day.
· Any offer made post interview will be conditional on receipt of 3 favourable written references, (from your most recent employer, any other previous employer and a character reference). War Child reserves the right to call the referees, in case clarification is required post the receipt of complete reference forms.
· The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a Police check from a country of permanent residence, a medical check, be compliant and sign up to War Child’s Child Protection Policy prior to a final offer being made.