Vacancy: Temporary Programme Manager

ARCHIVED - APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED. 

 

Temporary Programme Manager

Job Description

Background

Irish Aid is an integral part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is responsible for delivering the Government of Ireland’s programme of assistance to developing countries. The Irish Aid Programme has as its core priority, the reduction of poverty, hunger and inequality in developing countries.

The Embassy of Ireland in Lilongwe opened in 2007 and has responsibility for managing Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Malawi, including the implementation of the Irish Aid Country Strategy Plan.  The Ambassador/Head of Mission has overall responsibility for the work of the Embassy.

Malawi was designated as a new Programme Country for Irish Aid in 2007 and an interim country strategy was implemented in the years 2008 and 2009.  In March 2010, a 5 year Country Strategy Plan (CSP), was approved for the period 2010-2014. The goal of the country strategy is to ensure households are better nourished, food secure and less vulnerable to poverty. In Malawi, Irish Aid works closely with the Government of Malawi, other development partners, civil society organisations, UN and research institutions.  The Irish Aid programme is delivered through a range of delivery modalities including pooled and joint financing arrangements and direct project support. All Irish Aid programmes are required to have in place robust systems for the management of results and risk.  The Embassy is currently in the process of planning for the next CSP which will commence in 2016.

Across the programme Irish Aid emphasises the practical application of the concepts underlying aid effectiveness, including mainstreaming policy priorities (HIV and AIDS, gender equality, governance and environmental sustainability), a focus on delivering real benefits for poor and excluded people and enhancing accountability to Malawian citizens. In line with Ireland’s global policy the country strategy programme has a strong focus on hunger and nutrition and on delivering services for poor people.  One of the increasingly important issues for Irish Aid’s work in Malawi is the need to engage more strategically with its partners on improving financial management systems and outputs. An Evaluation of the current country strategy is being completed and the team is currently in the process of planning and preparation for the new country strategy for implementation in 2016.  A bridging programme has been approved by HQ for implementation in 2015. Ireland’s new international development policy, One World, One Future, will also guide the programme in the years ahead.

 

Role of Programme Manager

The Embassy wishes to contract the services of a Programme Manager to work with the Embassy team for a period of up to six months.  The Programme Manager will support the senior management team in the oversight and implementation of the ongoing country programme and in the process of developing the new Country Strategy Programme.

This is a senior position based at the Embassy in Lilongwe and the Embassy is seeking a highly motivated and experienced development manager with excellent knowledge of international development issues. This contract is expected to run from June 7^th for a period of not more than 6 months.

The Programme Manager will report to the Head of Development and will have particular responsibility for a number of programme components.  These may include the governance programme, the Local Development Support Programme, institution strengthening, mainstreaming policy priority areas (governance, gender, HIV and AIDS and environmental sustainability), and Monitoring and Evaluation components of the Irish Aid programme in Malawi. The role includes oversight of the assessment of programme partners’ proposals and monitoring of agreed programmes related to the areas of responsibility with a selected number of its external partners.

 

Key Tasks/Duties

 

The Programme Manager will be expected to:

 

• Work, as a member of the embassy management team and with the programme team in implementing the 2015 programme of support and in the planning and design of the 2016-2020 CSP.

• Lead and manage Embassy advisers and other staff, in the annual business plan implementation, ensuring the effective delivery of financial and technical resources across assigned thematic areas of the country strategy.

• Lead on the implementation and management of the Governance pillar of the Malawi CSP and engage pro-actively with the Governance sector, working to strengthen relationships between Government and Civil Society and supporting efforts to improve the effectiveness of development cooperation in Malawi

• Contribute to the development of implementing partners’ operational plans, and budgets and maintain effective working relationships with them to deliver on our present CSP objectives.

• Help to strengthen and develop the management systems of the Embassy, in line with departmental policies and guidelines, and in support of the effective and efficient management of the aid programme

• Lead the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Country Strategy and encourage  appropriate links with the M&E systems of programme partners in receipt of Irish Aid funds, while maintaining an effective data collection system at the Embassy to support long-term evaluation requirements

• Promote coherence between the HQ based Civil Society funded programmes in Malawi and the Malawi CSP ensuring there are opportunities to share learning and build good relationships and linkages between partner programmes.

• Act as the Embassy focal point and lead support person to the Embassy staff on Managing for Development Results (MfDR) for Irish Aid in Malawi.

• Ensure effective communication across the Embassy team, with HQ and with partners.

• Support diplomatic and cultural activities as assigned and actively foster a whole of Embassy approach to Ireland’s relations with Malawi.

• Prepare briefs and background information for the Ambassador, Head of Development, visiting staff, consultants and others as required

• Support the development and  integration of Ireland’s Africa Strategy with respect to the Irish Aid Country Strategy

Qualifications  and experience

Applicants will need to demonstrate a broad understanding and experience of international development issues with a particular focus on Africa.  They will have a well-established track record of good performance in the area of Programme Management, monitoring and evaluation. They will have an understanding and experience of working on the concepts underlying aid effectiveness and managing for development results and be familiar with the application of the Paris Declaration, Accra Agenda for Action and Busan framework for action.  They will have experience of working with different aid modalities. They will have the ability to motivate and inspire others to deliver results by establishing effective working relationships both as a team member and team leader. They will have excellent communication skills and be able to develop effective relationships and build networks with partner organisations.

Specifically the following qualifications and competencies are required:

• Post graduate qualification in development, international relations, economics, or social development and international development experience in areas of relevance to the requirements of this position.

• At least 5 to 10 years of relevant senior management experience and a good track record in development, with significant experience in one or more of the sectoral /thematic areas outlined above, including governance, financial analysis and management.

• Broad and extensive experience of working with a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team and with government, non-government and or International agencies in a number of countries.

• Knowledge, skill and experience in the identification, appraisal and design of development programmes.

• Good team building, communication and other personal effectiveness skills (such as networking and negotiating) are essential.

• Familiarity with the key principles and practice of effective aid delivery and Irish Aid Policy Priorities, and a good understanding of the policies and approaches of Irish Aid.

• Critical understanding of the determinants of good governance and their application and relevance to the political and governance context in Africa.

• Understanding of the determinants of gender inequality and strategies to address these.

• Familiarity with key national governance policies, institutions, and programmes and a sound knowledge and experience of decentralisation and local government policies/structures/strategies in Africa

• Knowledge of public financial management, electoral and anti-corruption processes in Africa.

• Skills and experience in interfacing with civil society organisations and a good knowledge of Civil Society Organisations working in Africa.

• High degree of integrity and trust.

Key Competencies

 

In addition to the above qualifications and experience, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a track record in the following competencies:

1. Leadership, Management and Delivery of Results: ability to translate complex concepts into practical plans as well as to be able to communicate complex issues in straightforward, comprehensible terms. Ensure the optimum use of human, financial, material and information resources to deliver on the organisational strategy. Has consistent ability to lead, show initiative, innovate and manage others. Has ability to identify, manage and report on significant risks to strategy and operations.

1. Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving: ability to see relationships between issues and identify solutions as well as identifying patterns/trends in data and developments. Thinks creatively and strategically and exercises good judgement in decision making

1. Personal and Relationship Effectiveness: ability to motivate and inspire others to deliver results by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships both as a team member and leader.

Actively develop relationships and build networks and alliances with colleagues from partner organisations

 

Conditions of employment

This successful applicant will be offered a temporary 6 month contract.  The contract is subject to the laws of Malawi

The successful candidate will be based in the Embassy of Ireland, Lilongwe. Though Lilongwe based, s/he will be expected to undertake in-country travel from time to time and international travel occasionally.

There are 12 days annual leave.

Remuneration and benefits to be agreed.

To apply for this position, please forward a covering letter (approximately 2-3 pages), demonstrating your suitability for, and motivation for, applying for this assignment as well as a curriculum vitae, detailing your qualifications and work experience.

Applications should be labelled “Temporary Programme Advisor Vacancy” – and may be delivered by hard copy to the Embassy; or should use the Contact Us section of this website to enquire about submitting a soft copy of the application.

Closing date for applications is close of business on 27 May 2015.