The role

We are currently looking for Provincial Manager – GCF (02 Positions) based in Oudomxay or Salavan Province

Role Purpose

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children (SC) is seeking Provincials Managers for the recently approved Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) USD $28.2m Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Health System Project, which will support the Government of Lao PDR over five years to advance progress on its national climate change and health priorities and commitments by increasing the climate resilience of the health system and strengthening community capacity to manage the current and anticipated health impacts of climate change. The project will strengthen leadership and governance within the health system, so it is climate resilient and strengthen health system capacity in 25 climate-vulnerable rural districts to better manage climate-related disease burdens, including by engaging 100 health facilities in those districts to better prepare for the health impacts of climate change. Through risk communication and community engagement approaches, the project will enable 250 communities to better respond to early warnings, manage and mitigate climate-related risks to health, and seek care appropriately.

The Provincial Manager is responsible for the management of all “Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System” Project activities as well as finance, logistics, administration, security, representation, partnership and advocacy. S/he will work under the supervision of the DCOP. S/he will line manage the Provincial Coordinators, Finance Officer, MERL officer, Logistics Officer and Project Officers (8-10 officers)

The post holder will serve as the primary budget holder for the provincial, with the flexibility to delegate budget holder responsibility to direct reports. The post holder will ensure work plans are executed with quality and in a timely manner. S/he will coordinate, collaboration closely and regularly (through informing DCoP) within teams, the DCoP, Health Systems Adviser, MERL Adviser, GESI Adviser, Finance Manager and Logistics manager and other related functions of CO teams.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant Save the Children policies or GCF’s and procedures with respect to child protection, health and safety, climate change, equal opportunities and other pertinent policies.
• Ensure optimal security management procedures and practices are in place and continually monitor the security situation, adapting staff safety procedures accordingly.
• Ensure that child safeguarding is integrated and given a “voice” in all management processes including recruitment, induction, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field level monitoring, etc.

Annual planning and reporting****:

• Lead the provincial office and contribute to GCF project and Laos country annual planning and reporting;
• Submit regular reports on programmes, operations, financial, external context, challenges faced, etc.

Oversight and management of Program Implementation

• Through DCOP, oversees and supervise GCF project implementation in provincial office, ensuring work is closely aligned with the project objectives, is implemented in strict conformity with GCF agreement, and meets the highest standards of technical quality.
• Provides management support at provincial level to DCOP ensuring program support and government authorization (MOUs) required to implement program are in place when appropriate and facilitate the program implementation.
• Leads, with support from DCOP to organize MoU 6 monthly and annual meetings at provincial level for the Project related to programs.
• Responsible for overall implementation of programs, and delegates responsible for field delivery of high-quality programming in line with the objectives of the project.
• Monitors implementation of the project, adhere to financial and budget holder reporting requirements; ensure programmes are receiving the operational support and inputs needed.
• Ensure that all programs in the provincial have adequate work plan including phase budget plan and Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP).
• Provide support to delegated budget holders so that GCF project activities are completed on time, on budget, and achieve their target objectives.
• Provide support to budget holders so that grant-related activities are completed on time, on budget, and achieve their target objectives.
• Ensures that all programs in the regions are closed out or phased out with exist plan properly according to award management guidelines and government requirement as stated in the MOUs.
• Ensure programs are implemented in ways responsive to the communities, health-workers and children with the Project values and following the Project compliance procedures. This includes working with government and partners.
• Provide overall technical support for the effective implementation of activities in all programming sectors, including control over budget expenditures, while ensuring transparency and compliance with donor regulations.
• Review, monitor and approve the provincial monthly financial expenses in accordance with the financial and purchasing policies.
• Lead and facilitate the provincial staffs in monthly meetings to review the progress against plans, find the solutions to the problems, share lesson learnt, exchange expertise across the programs, and to motivate and encourage teamwork.
• Prepares monthly and quarterly implementation and budget forecasting.
• Support, prepare and guide provincial team to prepare the Annual Planning and Budget.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning****:

• Works with team to mobilizes appropriate technical resources within the provinces or support contractor to ensure a baseline and end line surveys;
• Contribute to ensures that program materials developed are appropriate for targeted age, gender and developmental stages of children;
• Makes regular field–visits to different programme activities to check the quality, identify best practices, address issues and provide technical support to implementation teams. In particular, including monitoring the implementation of the Child Safeguarding Risk Management Plan;
• Coordinates with other programmes within Laos, especially at the provincial to create synergies and avoid duplications;
• In coordination with MERL Adviser, supports development and implementation of MEAL tools to track and report on accomplishments and challenges, and link learning to continuous program improvement.
• Leads, coordinates and reports the implementation and achievement of the CO program targets in the province, while ensuring high impact for the children, teachers with cost-effectiveness.

Representation, Advocacy and Communication

• Represent or support team members to represent GCF’s work for external audience in their respective provincial;
• With support from GCF Communication Coordinator, perform information–gathering and sharing for the Project;
• Establishes and maintain contacts with all key actors relevant in project implementation (government, UN and I/NGOs).
• Liaises with NGO Partners and Government Agencies, especially at provincial and district Health offices. This includes periodic meetings with partners to exchange information and updating programs’ work progresses.

Staff and Performance Management

• Develops and updates job descriptions which clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the staff under his/her supervision;
• With support from DCOP, coordinate with HR, ensures appropriate staffing for their respective programme;
• Manages the provincial’s program team; define expectations, provide leadership and coordinate technical specialists for technical support;
• Ensures the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate through appropriate professional development opportunities;
• Ensures that staff are trained to the policies, procedures and guidelines such as: Child Safeguarding, anti-Fraud, security and procurement; as well as GCF requirements;
• Conducts twice yearly participatory appraisals to assess performance and development of staffs under his/her supervision. Also, quarterly appraisals to be completed on time.
• Incorporates staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process;
• Establish measurable objectives, on–point feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities; Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance; Documentation of Performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvement/work plans;
• Manage and motivate staff under his/her direct supervision, ensuring that they have clear objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance;
• Encourage a culture of learning, creativity, innovation, and responsibility that achieves results and meets the needs of the beneficiary communities.
• 1:1 meeting with staff to coach, advise to ensure that the staff are responsible for optimizing their productivity through effective management and leadership techinques.
• Support staff through consultation with CO-technical teams to regular assess the staff capacity building needs.

Dual mandate****:

• During an emergency, contribute to rapid assessment and response in provincial area.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in or closely related field required with extensive operations background at field office management.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of managing large field-based operations.
• Extensive experience in programme management and ability to lead a programme and support a team working from remote locations.
• Skills and experience in project/programme monitoring review, reporting and evaluation.
• Strong team management and capacity-building skills and experience.
• Solid experience in grant management, including budget holding and donor reporting and effective financial and budgetary control in securing and managing grants.
• Experience in management of Human Resources, finance, logistics, administration, security, representation and advocacy.
• Ability to produce successful project proposals and high-quality reports.
• Ability to represent the Project, promote and advocate for children’s rights and maintain good relations at a and provincial level with donors, UN organisations, international and national Non-Government Organizations and local authorities.
• Ability and willingness to live in the Southern hub (Salavan province) or Northern hub (Oudomxay or Luangprabang) and work with limited supervision and to use own initiative.
• Commitment to and understanding of the Project’s aims values and principles.
• Team player with capacity to coordinate multiple stakeholders, work under pressure and tight deadlines and manage multiple and competing priorities.

Desirable

• Working experience in Asia context and provinces of Laos
• Master’s degree in public health / international development/ development studies or business administration or other relevant area.

Contract length: Fixed term

The Organisation

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 realise 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 workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.

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.

Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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