Job Title:

Head of Programmes

Department:

Programme

Contract Type:

Fixed Term – 12 months, Subject to extension basis performance and Funding.

Job Family:

Programme

Reports to:

Director, ActionAid Arab Region

Grade:

E+

Location:

Amman with frequent travels in the region

Direct Reports:

Programme Manager (x2), PQMEAL Coordinator

Job Role

Role Overview:

The Head of Programme is overall responsible for the development and implementation of ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR)programmes aligned to AAAR Strategy Paper and ActionAid International (AAI) Strategy Implementation Framework. He/she leads the programme unit and is overall responsible for grants management to ensure that all programmes are implemented according to donor and ActionAid affiliate contracts and AAAR policies & procedures.  

The Head of Programme is also responsible for the fundraising for AAARs programmes, which is done in close collaboration with a range of stakeholders such as relevant AAAR staff, local partners, ActionAid affiliates, AAI fundraising team, short-term Consultant and the Regional Director of AAAR.

The Head of Programme is an integral part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and hereby co-responsible for AAARs overall management and continued strategy development. 

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Key Activities

Program/strategy development & fundraising

• In close collaboration with the Regional Director ensure that the AAAR Fundraising Strategy is updated and implemented.
• Lead the development of Concept Notes, programme proposals aligned with AAAR strategic priorities in close coordination with AAAR staff, local partners, and AA Affiliates.
• Maintain, develop and nurture new strategic relationships with relevant donors, ActionAid Affiliates, INGOs and other key actors.
• In close collaboration with the Regional Director ensure that the AAAR Strategy Paper is updated in alignment with regional needs and AAI strategic framework e.g., Strategic Implementation Framework (SIF) 2.
• Lead the Fund Raising Function with the related programme and Fund Raising Staff.

Grants Management

• Overall responsible for the management of grants related to AAARs programmes
• Overall responsible for compliance with donor’ contracts and AAAR policies, e.g., ensuring that Programme/project Managers are arranging grant opening meetings with key stakeholders, induction meetings with partners and relevant AAAR staff.
• Overall responsible for timely submission as per the donor grant compliance requirements and quality narrative and financial reports to AA Affiliates.
• Ensure timely communication with donors and ActionAid Affiliates who are donor stewards.
• Ensure close coordination with Head of Finance & Administration related to grant management. 

Program Implementation

• Overall responsible for ensuring that planning of programme activities is done in close collaboration with local partners, technical officers and other key stakeholders. 
• Overall responsible for ensuring the development of MoUs with local partners, reflecting mutually agreed roles and responsibilities related to relevant programmes.
• Overall responsible for ensuring the development of mutually agreed partner capacity support plans.
• Overall responsible for the development of a MEAL framework guiding Programme staff.
• Overall responsible for ensuring the development of MEAL plans in close coordination with Programme/project Managers, Technical Officers, MEAL Focal and local partners, e.g., baseline surveys, regular monitoring, support, and learning visits, annual partner review meetings.
• Overall responsible for ensuring that the Programme Team works in accordance with AAAR Partnership Policies and Guidelines – hence ensure a close collaboration with local partners, including coordination of technical support.
• Ensure proper systems, tools and mechanisms are in place for the effective implementation of the programmes.
• Overall responsible for timely submission of quality reports.

Programme financial management

• Overall responsible for the management of the expenditure and disbursement of resources allocated to the programme department.
• Review programme expenditures from the programme staff to ensure conformity to Financial Policies and Procedures Manual (FPPM).
• Closely monitor and advise on programme and project spending and variance report as per organizational process and procedures.
• Ensure that Programme Managers are well prepared and actively participating in Monthly Budget Holder meetings. ;
• Close collaboration with the Finance Team related to budget design processes, financial reporting and all other relevant matters.

Representation

• Represent ActionAid in meetings with Donors, Government agencies, Clusters, ActionAid programme working group.
• Attend / delegate attendance in key niche UN cluster meetings locally and nationally and strategically engage in important national and international level networks, forums and meetings.

Communication & Campaigns

• Overall responsible for the development and implementation of a Communication Plan, which ensure strategic visibility of AAAR.  
• Overall responsible for the development and implementation of a Campaigns Plan, which consist of relevant campaigns ‘pieces’ from the individual Programmes and others such as the Rights for Justice.
• Ensure that both the Communication and Campaigns plan are well aligned with Programmes.
• Ensure close supervision and support to the Communication & Campaigns Coordinator.
• Ensure that AAAR pursues strategic partners in our Campaigns efforts.

Annual planning and budgeting

• Ensure that AAAR develops and submits annual plans to AAI as per the requirements.
• In close collaboration with Programme Managers and HOFA ensure the development of budgets.
• Supporting the reporting requirements as part of the ActionAid global federation Accountability and Performance framework.

Staff Management

• Directly supervise Programme/project Managers and Communication & Campaigns Coordinator.
• Ensure weekly meetings with Programme Managers and Communication & Campaigns Coordinator to coordinate efficient workflow.
• Ensure that JDs are updated according to needs in collaboration with HR focal point.
• Participate in the recruitment of relevant team members.
• Ensure the development of individual Performance Management System (KPIs) for Programme Managers and Communication & Campaigns Coordinator.
• Ensure regular annual and mid-term staff appraisals are conducted in line with the AAAR HROD policy.
• Coordinate capacity building processes for team members.
• Ensure the team has clear and meaningful understanding of the approach to achieve the intended results.
• Support and supervise the Programme Managers in their management of Technical Officers and Interns.

Others

• Ensure adherence to AAAR values, principles and Human Rights based approach.  
• Ensure the compliance with AAAR policies and procedures.
• Ensure alignment with AA Humanitarian signature.
• Ensure compliance with humanitarian standards, e.g., CHS, etc

Typical People Management Responsibility

Approximate number of people managed in total

3-5 people

Matrix Manager – (projects/dotted line)

NA

Team Leader

Yes

What is the global remit?  Operates in:

Own country

No

Geographic Region

Yes

Financial Management Remit

Financial (limits/mandates)

Super Budget Holder for all programmes within the approved Budget.

Direct departmental budget:

Organisation-wide expenditure

Key Relationships to reach solutions

Internal (to ActionAid or team)

External

SMT members, Programme managers, Technical officers;

Relevant ActionAid International Program and Policy teams

Relevant ActionAid Affiliates

Partners, Media, Government, Donors and International organisations

Person Specification

Education & Certifications

• Minimum a Bachelor degree in social science, development studies, political science; Master Degree or international studies are desirable

Essential Experience

• A minimum of 5 years in leading programmes in development work and poverty alleviation programmes international experience is preferred
• Past experience of working at the Senior Management level. Past experience as HoP or similar roles is an advantage.
• Experience working in Humanitarian Contexts
• Experience in fundraising work with institutional/ government and corporate donors
• Experience of working in a multicultural context and collaborative
• Experience in leading multiple / diverse teams in diverse cultures
• ActionAid is an equal opportunities organisation, and women candidates meeting minimum essential qualification and experience are encouraged to apply. 

Language proficiency

• Proficiency in English and Knowledge of Arabic will be an advantage.

Essential Knowledge

• Strategic planning and management
• Background in one of the programme areas that AAM focuses on women’s rights, governance, youth empowerment and resilience
• Human Rights Based Approach to development
• Staff and partner capacity development
• Networking and collaboration
• Corporate governance
• Programme reviews, monitoring and evaluation
• In-depth understanding of programming issues and policy work at state, national and international levels
• Understanding of gender issues in the development context and demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equality within the organisation and in programme work

Essential Skills

• People management skills
• Analytical skills
• Critical thinking
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Budgeting and finance management skills
• Programme management skills
• Donor relationship and Funding proposal development
• Good communication skills
• Networking and stakeholder management skills