Program Manager (4 months contract)

(This position is covered under CUPE Bargaining Unit – Band 6)

Save the Children Canada is a member of Save the Children International, a federation that works in more than 120 countries worldwide delivering programs focused on health and nutrition, education, child protection, child poverty, humanitarian response, and child rights governance. As the world’s leading independent organization for children, Save the Children’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

The Impact You will Make:

Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, Partnership & Global Projects, the Program Manager plays a lead role in managing a portfolio of awards in the award management cycle. The Program Manager works with the Senior Program Manager, Partnership & Global Projects to ensure the successful delivery implementation of programs through SCI, Members, and partners, and maintain accountability to donors.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Award Management:  

• Responsible for managing a complex portfolio of grants (awards) in the award management cycle once funding is secured, including leading project kickoff meetings, monitoring the progress, managing amendments and facilitating the closeout process with Country offices /Members.
• Responsible for coordinating contractual service agreements and MOUs · Follow global and local Award Management guidelines and processes.
• Update Award Management System (AMS), including fund summaries, phased-budget, Reporting tab, Match and all award information on a timely basis to ensure complete audit trail (data and process).
• Proactively liaise with Country Offices, Thematic Advisors, and delivery partners to ensure project quality and resolves issues.
• Monitor progress and change to timelines of deliverables, liaising with the donor when required.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of award management tools, techniques and templates.

Budget Management and Financial Health

• As the primary budget holder for a portfolio of awards, is responsible for project budget oversight and preserving financial health of portfolio.
• Working in collaboration with Country Office and Project Officers, responsible to prepare, upload and maintain a complete and accurate Fund Summary Report / Program Budgets.
• Responsible to actively manage burn rate, indirect cost recovery (ICR), resource allocation/salary recoveries, non-thematic costs (NTC), match performance, and net financial position of assigned projects through variance analysis of budget to actuals to identify financial risks, and ensure fund allocations match signed agreements.
• Lead discussions with Program Financial Analysts and Country Office Finance teams to resolve financial issues and risks.
• Prepare variance explanations and regular financial forecasts for monthly financial reviews, providing frequent updates to Finance, Resource Development, and Portfolio Management teams on issues/risks.

Donor Relations, Compliance and Reporting

• Review donor reports, ensuring high quality financial and narrative reports are submitted to Donors on a timely basis.
• Provide feedback on Donor reports to COs and through AMS.
• Review donor guidelines to understand all terms and conditions and develop Donor requirements checklist for each Award.
• Share the donor compliance documents with CO.
• Educate the COs and the Award team in the field on Donor compliance during the kick-off meeting and implementation.
• Ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance to donor requirements and rule.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Strengthen local Award Management capabilities through knowledge sharing, skills development, and cross-training.
• Share Canadian donor-specific requirements with Regional and Country Offices, maintaining current donor templates in OneNet Library.
• Collaborate with Thematic Leads, Advocacy, and Resource Development to disseminate project knowledge and communications with key audiences.
• Support Thematic leads and MEAL team to capture project learnings and contribute to thematic strategies.

Matrix Leadership, Mentoring, and Management of Field Resources

• Under the guidance of Head, Award Management provide mentoring and coaching, actively supporting the professional development of Program Officers and Program employees and their efforts to build knowledge of relevant program theory and practice.
• Provide performance feedback and developmental feedback to the manager for incorporation into the employee’s performance plans and development plans.
• Assist with the recruitment process for program resource positions (ie. Program Officer) and provide hiring recommendation to the manager.
• Manage new employee onboarding, ensuring employees receive relevant training and tools to be successful in their roles.
• Model behaviours consistent with Save the Children values, actively creating an organizational culture that reflects values.

Qualifications (include but are not limited to):

• Post-secondary degree in International Development / Social Sciences or related field.
• Certificate in Project Management or project management experience within NGO sector.
• 5-7 years’ experience in International Development setting and direct field experience.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of project management, in particular managing large projects with partners in consortium setting.
• 5-7 years of experience in project management/program/grant management in International Programs, managing projects in developing countries and fragile contexts (experience in project implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa is considered an asset).
• Experience of managing both development and humanitarian projects are required.
• Prior experience with GAC-funded projects; knowledge of GAC policies and procedures; knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) approach is required.
• Demonstrate experience in providing mentoring and coaching, professional development of staff.
• Demonstrated project financial management experience.
• Superior relationship building and stakeholder engagement. Requires building rapid relationship with donors, partners and key staff in country offices.
• Outspoken and advocacy oriented. Required to demonstrate result of the portfolio with all stakeholders, including donors, SCC staff and others.
• Prior experience working with Save the Children is considered an asset.

WHAT WE OFFER

This position salary range between $71,903.75 – $86,284.50 depending on skills and experience. In addition to this, our employees will have the following package of additional benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package for you and your dependents available in three months after employment.
• Hybrid workplace, and flexible work hours to support employee wellbeing and productivity.
• Coordinated benefits for your partner paid by Save the Children Canada.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program services available to you and your dependents from your first day of employment.
• Discounted rate for a GoodLife membership.
• Organization-wide membership with Headspace.
• Employer contributions to group pension plan.
• Learning and development opportunities and specialized training.

Applications will be reviewed on ongoing basis. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SCC is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources (416) 221-5501.