Iraq: Area Programme Manager (APM) - Kirkuk, Erbil and Baghdad

Overview:

War Child 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 conscripted into armed groups, and children who have been put in prison. Our mission is to support and improve the care and protection of children and young people who live with a combination of insecurity, poverty and exclusion in some of the worse conflict-affected places. 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, organisations like War Child, governments and key decision makers.

Purpose of Post:

The Area Programme Manager (APM) is responsible for War Child operations in Kirkuk, Erbil and Baghdad. 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 Kirkuk, Erbil and Baghdad 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 post holder is expected to travel frequently, spending at least 50% of his/her time to support the Baghdad operations.

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.

A) Job Specification: Task and responsibilites:

Strategy and policy development

· APM will contribute to strategic and policy debate and drafts shared for input/ feedback as well as take lead in developing some of these

· 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

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:

· Prepare, update and implement project work plans and review progress on a monthly basis with input from partner and all members of team.

· Promote of participatory approaches in the programme, particular community and children’s participation

· Prepare regular reports on budgets and expenditures in collaboration with Finance/Operations Manager to track spending and take corrective action if necessary.

· Prepare timely narrative donor and internal reports.

· Work with CD to oversee management of grants including the timely implementation of planned activities and appropriate spending of funds.

· Ensure timely grant reporting that clearly relates to the stated goals and objectives of relevant grant and relates expenditures to activities.

· 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.

· With teams, write and submit concept notes and proposals to ensure new funding is acquired to achieve strategic goals.

· Provide Country Director with technical assistance in writing new project initiatives and proposals

· Collaborate with Finance and Operations Manager on finances and budget tracking

· Conduct and or participate in field assessments and donor liaison as appropriate

· Mobilise support of government, NGO, and community stakeholders for garnering support for War Child activities at field level.

· Facilitate visits to the project sites by donor representatives, auditors, country office and HO

· Represent War Child at all relevant forums, cluster meetings and with local authorities.

· Identify advocacy issues in the programme and advocate with the concerned authorities, humanitarian actors, donors, UN and other actors

Capacity Building and Training

· 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.

· Deliver training and where appropriate enlist external expertise.

· Provide ongoing training and support to partner organisations and staff members.

· Comply fully and ensure partner compliance with War Child’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

Monitoring and Evaluation

· Develop M&E plans for all projects

· Perform project monitoring and evaluation in line with donor reporting requirements and log frame

· Maintain database with beneficiary numbers

· Facilitate internal and external evaluations of the project, using these as opportunities to document achievements, challenges and learning.

· Strengthen culture of accountability and learning within the team and in the course of project implementation

Compliance

· Ensure compliance with donor and War Child rules and regulations in all areas including financial management, record keeping and procurement

· Comply fully with WCUK’s finance, security and child protection policies and procedures, managed by the Country Director.

· 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.

· Liaise with the Country Director and London based Programme Development and Grants Coordinator to resolve any budgeting issues.

· Ensure partner compliance with all of the above.

· Assist CD in identifying and approaching in-country donors for matched funding for projects and fund raising.

Human Resource Management

· Manage the team and ensure they have opportunities to build their experience and knowledge in the relevant sectors/ areas of focus for War Child

· Ensure all team members have a work plan, performance management plan is in place and regular performance reviews are conducted.

· Encourage the team on self-development approach and in this regard provide the necessary guidance

B) Person specification – Essential Criteria:

War Child’s office is a lively and fast-paced environment made up of a team of extremely dedicated staff & volunteers. We’re looking for someone who can fit in well and bring their personality, creativity and professionalism to our communications and the wider charity.

Experience and mandatory criteria:

A minimum of 5 years’ 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 fund raising, proposal development and report writing is essential. Willing to frequently travel and spend time in the field locations is essential for this post.

Technical Skills/Expertise:

· Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, social sciences or NGO Programme Management.

· Project and People management

· Best practice knowledge of child protection, gender sensitivity, the protective environment framework and child rights programming

· Sound knowledge of participatory approaches

· Fluency (written and verbal) in English; Arabic language skills preferred

· Proposal writing experience

· Setting up monitoring and evaluation systems

· Grant management and reporting – experience of working on UN/EC/ECHO/DFID funded projects would be an advantage

· Rigorous budget and expenditure management

· Experience of working in emergency and stressful environments

· Experience of working with children in conflict with the law

Competencies (Soft Skills):

· Team player

· Accurate, systematic, with an eye for detail

· Problem solver

· Calm under pressure

· Able to work in a small, dynamic organisation with limited resources

· Creative and innovative

· Commitment to War Child’s aims, values and mission

C) Contract Terms

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full time)

Probation: 6 months

Travel: Within Iraq with occasional travel to the UK office for induction etc

Salary: £34,650 pa (basic salary)

Leave: 30 days per annum

Pension: Matching contribution to your private pension up to 5% of gross salary Other: As defined in standard War Child contract terms

Application process

· Download and complete War Child Application Form from www.warchild.org.uk. All completed applications must reach recruitment@warchild.org.uk by 23:59pm on the 26/06/2016

· Due to limited resources War Child HR will contact only the shortlisted candidates

· Interviews will be held on the week commencing Monday18^th July 2016

· 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 DBS Police check and/or international police check, a medical check for overseas travel purposes, be compliant and sign up to War Child’s Child Safeguarding Policy prior to a final offer being made.

· Start date: ASAP