The Opportunity – BHA Project Director

Post location: oPt Country Office (CO) located in Ramallah and to travel to Gaza when possible

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 12 months with possible extension.

***Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note that the position might be filled before the vacancy announcement is closed; therefore, early applications are encouraged.***

***This role will be contingent upon securing available funds, and we might use this vacancy to fill more than one post.***

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children is seeking a Project Director to ensure the overall leadership, strategic direction, and performance of an integrated, multisectoral project funded by the United States Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA), which is providing critical MPCA, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and child protection (CP) services to affected communities across the West Bank and Gaza.

The Project Director will be responsible of the technical and programmatic quality in implementation, compliance with USAID/BHA rules and regulations, and the timely submission of all deliverables, including annual work plans, performance monitoring plans and reports. The Project Director/Chief of Party will ensure the overall direction, coordination and deliverables of the activities of any sub-recipient partners.

The post-holder will be a member of the Country Office (CO) team but will be expected to spend significant time between the CO in Ramallah and the field office in Gaza – when the situation security allows for access and travel.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Gaza Humanitarian Director

Staff reporting to this post: Senior Programme Manager, Finance and Awards Manager, Compliance Coordinator and MEAL Coordinator.

Budget Responsibilities: $20m award

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategic Direction

• Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of BHA project implementation, development and management.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary Project Management Unit (PMU), ensuring regular communication and support is provided to project staff.
• Maintain a strong and cohesive strategic plan for the implementation of program activities including clear targeting strategy and processes, strong systems for quality implementation and program delivery.

Representation

• Represent SCI to authorities, donors, NGO and other relevant stakeholders, in close coordination with the Country Director and other Senior Management Team members.
• Ensure close collaboration and information sharing with partners, sub-grantees, authorities and other relevant implementers and stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain relationships with and accountability to communities, partners and other key stakeholders.

Project Management

• Oversee overall performance of project, identify potential areas of risk and implement mitigating strategies with Senior Program Manager and other cross-functional teams.
• Proactively inform donor investment and seek additional top-up funds from BHA.
• Lead, coach, support and mentor project staff and implementing partners in the areas of responsibility in the delivery of the program’s goals and objectives.
• Oversee partners and sub-grantees, ensuring their effective inclusion in program structures, appropriate mentoring, and the implementation of capacity-strengthening plans.
• Establish and efficiently manage transparent program governance structures, ensuring clear delineation of roles and responsibilities within the program team. Additionally, implement program performance systems that guide decision-making, collaboration, and communication flows.
• Chair weekly/biweekly calls with the DART to give up to date program information and context analysis.
• Draft regular briefing notes for the CD/SMT on progress, successes and challenges across the project.
• Work collaboratively with Ops, PDQ and Response, West Bank Field Office Manager and Gaza Humanitarian Director to identify and address any implementation, reporting or accountability issues.
• Establish and monitor BHA Project Risk Register with SCUS award managers
• Effectively drive and integrate learning and adaptive management in all program activities
• Remotely and in person monitor program activities in WB and Gaza to ensure program is being delivered as per the proposal and relevant DIPs and/or notifying BHA of changes to design that must be made.
• Serve as the main focal point for BHA’s Third Party Monitors, including coordination across WB and Gaza offices and partners to schedule and engage in TPM visits. Lead on response to TPM reports and any engagement with BHA on TPM.

Team Management

• Provide guidance, strong leadership and ensure technically sound decision-making processes.
• Ensure that program management team understand their roles, responsibilities, expectations, communication flows, and workplans. Promote transparency and clarity within the team.
• Support the identification of individual and collective needs for capacity building.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing and encourage accountability providing constructive feedback through regular one-on-one sessions and performance reviews.
• Ensure effective onboarding processes are in place.
• Works collaboratively with Ops, PDQ and Response, West Bank Field Office Manager and Gaza Humanitarian Director to identify and address any implementation, reporting or accountability issues.
• Develop regular briefing notes for SCUS to use in US based BHA meetings
• Chair monthly Member calls along with relevant CO staff and act as key focal point for the Member Office (Awards, Finance, Advocacy etc.).

Compliance & Risk Management

• Regularly collaborate with SCUS to ensure award and financial compliance in line with potential USAID audit and ensure coordinated donor engagement at DART and RMT levels.
• In coordination with Awards functions and Compliance Coordinator, oversees all BHA compliance functions including the adherence to Mission Order 21 and the timely vetting of staff and suppliers, as well as USAID’s No Contact Policy.
• Establish and monitor BHA Project Risk Register with SCUS award managers.

Reporting

• Accountable for the development and submission of high quality reports for the project including bi-weekly, monthly report to the donor, as well as the development of semi-annual and final narrative reports and success stories.
• Ensure that the BHA project is reflected in the internal reporting schedules.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• 8 + years of demonstrable professional experience in implementing multi-sector programs, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership role overseeing the implementation of projects relevant to the focus sectors: nutrition, WASH, multi-purpose cash assistance and child protection
• Experience in complex emergency responses and fragile states; prior experience working in conflict settings
• Demonstrates exceptional managerial and operational leadership skills; experience managing through influence in a matrix organisation
• Significant experience of NGO emergency program cycle management, including field-level project implementation and working against implementation plans
• Demonstrable financial and budget management experience; experience as a budget holder
• In-depth knowledge and experience of logistics systems and requirements in a multi-field office, multi program setting
• Experience in managing US Government funding and familiarity with federal regulations is critical (e.g. USAID, BHA)
• Flexibility and the ability to effectively adjust expectations to on-the ground realities, while adhering to humanitarian principles and standards.
• Strength in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and capacity building to realize organizational objectives.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desirable

• Previous BHA experience
• Arabic speaking and writing skills
• Technical expertise in at least one of the project sectors
• Experience in multi-purpose cash assistance
• Previously completed Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector**. This role is offered on the basis of national/international terms and conditions.**

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at Search Jobs – SCI Career Site Careers (oraclecloud.com).

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.