Senior Program Manager - Education Full-time Job

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Senior Program Manager (SPM) is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management and quality implementation of all education programs in his/her area of responsibility including design and implementation of education programs to achieve impact, learning, and MEAL; quality implementation in line with SCI and donor requirements, partnership management, capacity strengthening and program quality as per agreed standards. As a senior member of the Field Office program team, the SPM may supervise education project managers. S/he will be required to provide strategic guidance on education needs and gaps, as well as lead on technical assessments.

The SPM will ensure strong coordination with the field program operations and finance teams to ensure grant compliance (spending within budget, timely reporting, procurement etc) and to flag any areas of concern (underspending, delays, overspending, etc.). S/he will actively engage in representation, advocacy, and networking efforts to further Save the Children’s strategic interests in education.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

Programme Strategy, Quality, and Design

Support area management and the Field Manager with program and area-level strategic planning.

Contribute to the development and revision of the Save the Children education country strategy based on data and contextual understanding.

Ensure the availability of relevant education-specific baseline data through field monitoring or studies

Work closely with education technical specialists to develop the theory of change (TOC) and indicator framework to support adaptive program management; facilitate a collective process involving Save the Children program team, partners, and beneficiaries.

Take a leadership role in annual program planning. Ensure all education proposals meet SC quality standards including adherence to education sector Minimum Standards for quality

Participate in education proposal development. As needed, undertake education needs assessments, context analysis, and program design for new emergency and longer-term programs.

Contribute to area-level planning, ensuring education input is factored into SCI area plan; work with the Partnership Manager to analyze partner capacity strengthening needs, ensure organizational learning in programming, and support project management.

Act as a surge team member when requested by CD, for supporting responses in different locations across Nigeria or globally.

Project Implementation and Grant Management

Oversee overall education projects in his/her location/area in line with SCI grant management policies. Monitor projects to ensure timely implementation.

Coordinate effectively with the field-based project team to effectively achieve projects results within the agreed timeline.

Develop annual project implementation plans (master budget, activity plan) and track progress to deliver program results (as described in program results framework).

Working with technical advisors and operations support, mobilize resources to facilitate the timely implementation of project activities.

Closely monitor the implementation of program activities according to work plans and M&E plans. Oversee that programs use standardized protocols and tools.

Closely monitor the implementation of projects to track adherence to SCI quality standard (M&E, financial management, partner management, and child safeguarding standards).

Promote integration with other sectors through developing common project objectives and joint field monitoring.

Flag deviations in the implementation of work plans and/or spending plans. Ensure proper follow-up by field team and develop and put in place a corrective action plan. Act as a grant budget holder ensuring proper spending according to SCI finance standards and grant regulations. Track budget spending and spending rates; authorize payments of grants when required.

Partner Management & Capacity Building

Identify local organizations working on the theme. Conduct robust assessments and selection for viable organizations which include INGO’s and local civil societies and local authorities to become a potential partner with Save the Children International

Engage actively in identifying appropriate capacity building needs for partner organizations and ensure effective training is provided to partners.

Regularly engage with partners and promote joint activities to increase synergy among different stakeholders on thematic interventions

Lead review of all project deliverable of the partner projects, and actively supervise the staff responsible for monitoring and providing feedback to the partners. Regularly plan and implement supervisory visit

Promote regular sharing of resources and lessons between Save the Children and Partners and among different partners themselves.

Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Lead education teams in adaptive management practices with regular collection, reflection, and response based on lessons learned

Provide overall leadership and quality assurance to design effective monitoring of education programming that helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and actionable learning questions

Participate in assessments, program review meetings, and field monitoring as needed to ensure program quality is on track against stated deliverables. Review implementation against SCI technical and operational quality standards and best practices (including education benchmarks) within the monthly Program Quality Meeting.

Analyze project data and draft high-quality quarterly and annual narrative reports.

Track the achievement of program indicators in project location

Regularly collect lessons learned and actively seek adaptive learning in field education activities

Document SCI and partner best practices and contribute to disseminating these both within and outside SCI Nigeria.

Participate actively in program review findings, monitor the implementation of its recommendations in education program sites, and document action items to strengthen Save the Children programs.

Actively involve MEAL team to deliver results within timelines and with high quality

People Management, Mentoring and Development

Manage the field-based team according to SCI performance management policy.

Line management of field education team and responsible for team building, supporting, motivating and mentoring, as needed

Assist direct reports to create a professional development plan based on identified gaps

Capacity building of staff in the project and organization on various subjects depending on gaps or program expansion.

Coordination & Representation

Build strategic and beneficial alliances with the Nigerian government, local implementing partners and other stakeholders, UN bodies, and donor representatives, to maximize resources for education advocacy.

Develop effective working relationships with key government staff (particularly education) at the local level, state level and national levels as appropriate, working with key stakeholders to promote better coordination and appropriate and efficient implementation and monitoring of sector priorities.

Undertake field-level representation and advocacy as delegated by supervisor.

Participate in area-level coordination to harmonize sector activities, ensure effective linkages among education, food security, nutrition, health and protection programming and support SCI policy priorities (for e.g. quality standards).

Comply with SCI Child Safeguarding Policy.

Follow up safeguarding concerns/ reports

Support communication activities in field sites and gather content when requested for website and social media outlets.

Provide briefings for donors and delegations on Save the Children projects when called upon.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's or master’s degree in education, Education Management, International Development or another relevant area.

Typically, 7 years of experience in a senior technical position working in education programmes (basic education, adolescent development or higher education), preferably in an INGO context, with the capacity to provide training and coaching to others.

Proven knowledge and experience in leading design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of quality, integrated programs.

Substantial project management experience of diverse projects within the development sector, including project design, budget preparation, management of project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting.

Experience in emergency response settings.

Experience with assessments.

Experience and strong skills in working with donors.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and representation skills.

Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles including rights-based approaches.

Fluent in spoken and written English. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Competent in computer use, particularly in MS Office.

Save the Children is an international non-governmental organisation that works to promote children's rights, provide relief and help support children in developing countries. It was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 in order to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts.