Programme Director – Burundi

About the role:

This is a 24-month contract with partner-only accompanied conditions based in Bujumbura with frequent travel to programme area (currently Rwanda’s Southern Province) and a salary of Grade 5 (€50,107- €55,674).

You will report to the Country Director Burundi and Rwanda (CD). You will directly supervise the Project Managers, Area Coordinator, Area Manager and Programme Quality and Development Coordinator (PDQC) in Burundi. You will work very closely with the Operations Director, the Finance and Administration Manager, the Country Financial Controller (CFC), the Technical Advisers based in Burundi and the Dublin staff (Regional Director, Desk Officer and technical advisers etc.).

We’d like you to start on 31 August 2024.

Your purpose:

Concern started operations in Rwanda in 1994 in response to the genocide. In 2016, Rwanda and Burundi moved to a shared management structure whereby the country management team is based in Bujumbura and covers both countries of operation. Currently there is a small office in Kigali, while the main office is in Huye. Following a change in direction, a Country Strategy Plan (CSP) has been developed for the period 2023-2027, aiming to sustain Concern’s presence in Rwanda through the development of new projects. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), you will lead the development and management of the overall country programme, ensuring an integrated multi-sectoral approach in a development and emergency context. Reporting to the CD, you will take specific responsibility for coordinating and managing the implementation of Concern’s programme in Rwanda in line with relevant policies and the CSP.

You will be responsible for:

Senior Management:

• Participate in the implementation of Concern Burundi CSP and other strategic frameworks (Preparing for an Effective Emergency Response (PEER), Plan for the Implementation of Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), etc.).
• Regularly participate in SMT and Country Management Team (CMT) meetings/discussions and actively participate in and contribute to the decision-making process.

Programme Development and Implementation

Programme Development and Implementation:

• Identify and secure appropriate sources of funding to support existing and new programme activities in Burundi.
• Lead the development of the programme, ensuring the participatory development of high quality project concept notes, proposals and associated budgets, ensuring adherence to all relevant Concern global policies and procedures.
• Provide technical and management support to the Project Managers and PQDC to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of programme activities.
• Ensure, in collaboration with the PDQC Burundi and Rwanda , that an effective multi-sectoral monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEAL) system is developed and implemented in a way that is effective and efficient, ensures timely data analysis and utilisation of learning and that the achievements of the programmes’ goals and objectives are captured.
• Contribute to Concern’s strategy on aid localization by identifying, training, and collaborating with Burundian NGOs and CSOs.
• Ensure comprehensive and participatory programme planning and high-quality implementation of programmes that includes programme participants, staff, partners and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Ensure that new projects are launched with appropriate staff training / induction and the required programme planning activities completed (recruitment timetable, procurement plan, etc.), and that all project closures are carried out in accordance with all relevant donor requirements.

Budget Management:

• Responsible for delivery of programmes according to budget. Work with the CFC and programme budget holders to ensure close monitoring and appropriate management of relevant budgets and expenditure.
• Ensure that annual programme budgets (and budget revisions) are complete, realistic and in line with Concern policies and donor requirements.
• Ensure that project proposal budgets are complete, realistic and in line with Concern’s relevant policies and donor requirements.

People Management:

• Line manage your direct reports, helping to build their skills and develop their careers.
• Provide technical support and on-the-job training and coaching to staff.
• Make sure that all positions have a clear job description and that each member of the team fully understands the results expected of them, by setting SMART objectives, and ensure that they are aware of the success criteria linked to their job.
• Monitor and review staff performance and hold staff accountable for meeting success criteria; provide corrective feedback where necessary and take decisive action in the event of poor performance.
• Identify gaps in technical expertise in the relevant sectors and helping to ensure that these gaps are filled.

Networking & Representation:

• Maintain and develop networks at national level to improve learning internally and externally and to demonstrate the profile of Concern.
• Ensure active participation in country-level coordination, including relevant sector groups and donor/implementing partner groups/humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Represent Concern externally as and when requested by the CD.

Accountability:

• Promote and ensure compliance with the CHS commitments and quality criteria
• Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern’s Feedback and Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM) and ensure that information about Concern’s commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities
• Ensure that the FCRM is functional, effectively implemented and accessible in all programmes’ locations, enabling safe reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns
• Ensure that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner; ensure that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are handled with utmost confidentiality and that the safety of the complainants and those affected is prioritised at all stages.

Other:

• Take active steps to address equality issues, particularly those related to gender, in both programme and operational activities (e.g. HR, logistics, programme design etc.).
• Ensure the highest standards of accountability by maintaining good communication and information sharing within and outside of Concern’s programming and enable staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to participate in all stages of the project cycle.
• Know, understand and comply with all Concern policies and procedures (finance, logistics, etc.).
• Adhere fully to safety and security protocols and procedures and promote the adherence of all members of the programme team. Contribute to ongoing safety management and planning where necessary.
• Produce a strategic analysis and plans for the expansion of the programme, including into new areas if necessary.
• Actively participate in any emergency response programming if necessary.
• Undertake other related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the CD

Your skills and experience:

Essential:

• 3rd level degree in a relevant field (humanitarian aid, development, social sciences or other related professional fields)
• Fluent in English and French
• At least 7 years’ overseas experience with an NGO with a focus on programming and 2-3 years at a middle or senior management level in a complex and insecure emergency context.
• Experience with donors including but not limited to EU, AFD, USAID, UN.
• Experience of leading and managing a diverse team of senior managers, including international staff. Proven management skills, including the ability to motivate and develop the skills of others.
• Experience of integrating accountability, equality, , conflict, protection, climate/environment and DRR into programmes and ensuring accountability to programme participants, staff, partners and other stakeholders
• Knowledge of MEAL processes and experience in ensuring programme quality and documentation of learning.
• Knowledge of rights-based approaches, equality issues and advocacy skills. Strong understanding of and commitment to promoting gender equality.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and team-building skills.
• Competency with Microsoft Office, and software for grants management, financial management, HR management.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural areas and spend medium periods away from Kigali.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in Burundi and/or the region.
• Experience of managing teams and programmes.
• Knowledge of Concern policies and programming approaches.