Afghanistan: PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT, QUALITY AND ADVOCACY DIRECTOR

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.9 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Following a major transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged operation with c15,000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We’re changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

CONTRACT LENGTH: 2 Years

The Role:

The role holder shares the overall responsibility in the direction and coordination of the country program. S/he champions a team culture of learning and continuous improvement and is responsible for overseeing development of programme strategies and advocacy initiatives to deliver immediate and lasting change for children ensuring quality in all aspects of both process and output. S/he manages a team of technical experts whose primary focus would be on projects’ design and development funding, monitoring, evaluation and learning. S/he ensures that global and in-country advocacy work is in accordance with approved guidelines and supervises all media and communications of the country office in coordination with the region and Centre. S/he develops gainful and strengthens networks as well as represents the country office appropriately.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Masters degree in Social Sciences, in an area of social development


• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in an NGO environment, including experience directing and implementing programs for children in both emergency and development contexts


• Experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors: education; child protection; child rights governance; health and nutrition; food security and livelihoods; emergencies.


• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a complex international setting


• Significant experience leading strategic planning and in programme design and proposal development


• Ability to effectively establish a learning culture within an organisation


• Experience in successfully establishing and managing collaborative relationships and partnerships with donors and government counterparts.


• Strong representation and influencing skills


• Experience of management of diverse workforce including effective performance management and utilisation of capacity building, coaching, and mentoring skills


• Demonstrated use of positive coping strategies in stressful environments


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


• Fluency in written and spoken English


• Strong understanding of different methodologies of monitoring and evaluation and operational research and experience in developing integrated MEAL systems

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

To see a full job description, please visit our website at www.savethechildren.net/jobs

Please apply in English using your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role. Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis and this role may be filled prior to the closing date.