Area Manager – Krakow

Area Manager – Krakow

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Area Manager is responsible for the management of the Field Office in Krakow and for running for the operation in Krakow and the implementation of a programmes across the South of Poland. The role supports the Director of Programme Operations in facilitating key relationships between the Program Implementation Team and support services, including finance, HR & Admin, and Supply Chain in Krakow and other response office units i.e. PDQ, HR, Finance, Awards and Safety & Security. The Area Manager shall ensure that individual accountabilities at the area level are clearly stated, understood and internalised.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Management and Delivery

• Ensure that management support is provided to the Field Office in Krakow for the implementation of quality programs
• In close coordination with Project Managers, Technical Advisors and Programme Development & Quality (PDQ) Director improve the quality of programming in the South of Poland
• Manage all programmes across the South of Poland; oversee project implementation plans, assess progress of implementation of activities against plans on monthly basis, and document the progress and action corrective measures as and when required
• Ensure quality program implementation (humanitarian and development) and utilisation of evidence-based solutions, applicable to varying contexts through the application/adaptation of SCI systems, guidelines, Common Approaches, standards including Humanitarian Minimum Standards and tools, in consultation and support of the PDQ Team
• Ensure coordination and integration across thematic and programs to ensure cost-effectiveness
• Ensure that the progress and quality of program implementation are continually tracked and timely corrective measures are taken through maintenance and roll-out of effective MEAL system
• Ensure that area teams participate in monthly Budget Variance Analysis – BVA meetings to monitor programme spending
• Serve as an overall budget holder for programs/projects implemented within the Krakow Area Office and multi-area award as appropriate, in line with the SOD threshold
• Ensure programs are implemented in ways responsive to the communities and children in line with Save the Children principles, values and strategic plan, and following Save the Children compliance procedures. This includes working with government, local administrations and national NGO partners to strengthen national capacity

Operational Management

• Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of office and field operations and ensure that programme plans are clearly prioritized and communicated to the operations team effectively
• In close coordination with Director Programme Operation and all operations staff, optimally manage the field offices, guest houses, vehicles and other assets including adherence of staff to Save the Children policies and guidelines.

People Management and Development

• Manage, mentor and motivate the staff in the field to undertake their roles and responsibilities effectively
• Ensure all staff in the area of operations adheres to the safety & security guidelines.
• Work closely with head of HR to ensure that all policies and guidelines are in place for national and international staff, and that they are understood by all staff and are adhered to.
• Support area teams in the recruitment, induction, training/development of team members
• Enhance staff performance through mutually agreed performance management plans, clarity of individual and collective roles and responsibilities;
• Present staff concerns that cannot be dealt with locally, in a timely manner to the Director of Program Implementation, Area HR Manager, and HR Director
• Promote an inspiring and motivating working environment through teamwork, delegation and the team building initiatives
• Promote and ensure a culture that respects and promotes collaboration, diversity, inclusion and staff recognition

Financial, Budget and Award Management

• Serve as an overall budget holder for all programming in Area Office and related Field Offices; appoint, manage and support budget holders for individual projects and grants as appropriate
• Closely work with PDQ and Awards Team on the coordination of the overall funding process from both awards and SC Members. This includes: developing funding strategies, budgeting at the design stage, creating grant proposals, and identifying strategic leads and concepts
• Ensure that program budgets are managed through the rigorous budget and finance monitoring practices with the participation of all key functions
• Oversee the general application and observance of financial procedures and guidelines set out in Save the Children’s finance manual and donors’ requirements
• Ensure that budgets are spent and charged to their respective budget heads and awards by diligently reviewing the financial reports regularly/ at least monthly and bringing to the timely attention of the Director of Program Implementation and the Finance Director any major budget concerns
• Efficiently and successfully manage the award cycle by putting in place robust mechanisms to start, implement and close awards in line with the donor as well as Save the Children’s policies
• Ensure that adequate support to and monitoring of the field finance teams is provided by the Finance and Awards team at head office
• Ensure that awards are managed as per Save the Children’s and donors’ requirements including the quality and timely submission of reports

Partnership Management and Representation

• With support from the Head of Partnership, establish a quality partnership management environment through mutual respect and trust, robust partnership assessments, capacity building, project monitoring, sharing and networking by drawing support from technical resources from within the country program
• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with host government authorities, donors, partner agencies including major institutional donors, UN Agencies and local and international NGOs
• Ensure that partners and SC staff understand and implement Save the Children’s policies and procedures including child safeguarding, procurement, fraud and whistleblowing
• Work with partners and SC staff to ensure that effective mechanisms are in place to listen to, act upon and address children’s and communities’ concerns/recommendations through active participation by children and communities in project design, monitoring and evaluations
• Ensure that partners understand and implement Save the Children’s policies and procedures including child safeguarding, procurement, fraud and whistleblowing
• Ensure strong and vibrant local civil society organizations are developed through our support in the areas we are implementing programs
• Ensure appropriate representation in all relevant meetings: clusters, working groups, NGO consortium, etc.
• Responsible for building and maintaining good working relationships with relevant government institutions and representative.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• At least 5 years of substantial experience, two of which are in a management role, working with a humanitarian/ development organisation, including significant experience working at field level.
• University degree in International Development, Management, related academic discipline or equivalent work experience.
• Skills and experience in project/programme implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the Child Rights Convention and international humanitarian rights standards.
• Substantial people and programme management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Solid experience in grant management, including budget holding and donor reporting.
• Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.
• Ability to produce high quality reports in English.
• Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.

Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles

Desirable

• Experience working in the EU.
• Ability to communicate in Polish.

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 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 www.savethechildren.net/careers

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.