Position within the Organization
The Head of Programmes, is a member of the Programme Management Unit which manages and implements all of Interpeace’s active and ongoing programmes around the world. The Programme Management Unit is led from the Headquarters office in Geneva, although team members are based in various locations including in East and Central Africa, West Africa, Europe and the MENA region.
The Head of Programmes reports to the Sr Director of Programme Management and supervises Regional and Country Representatives as well as Programme Managers for our programme activities located in Eastern and Central Africa region.
Under general supervision from the Senior Director of Programme Management, the Head of Programmes works closely with members of the Programme Development Unit, the Learning and Policy Unit, the Global Operations Unit, the Communications and Strategic Partnerships Unit, and other colleagues to manage and implement high impact strategic peacebuilding programmes that are catalytic and locally-driven.
Purpose and General Overview
The Head of Programmes oversees the programme management function in the Eastern and Central Africa region following the strategic direction defined by the Sr Director of Programme Management. The Head of Programmes is responsible for a Portfolio of countries and is the strategic and operational interface between programme implementation in the region and other units and offices that are part of the organization.
Guided by the strategic direction defined by the Sr Director of Programme Management and under his/her general supervision, the Head of Programmes develops the programme strategies and strategic targets, is responsible for the integration of the Easter and Central Africa programme management plan into the global programme management strategy and vision.
The Head of Programmes is responsible for periodically adjusting and/or reviewing programme strategies with the Sr Director of Programme Management’s approval, as well as effectively developing and monitoring the annual work plans and validating the budgets, for approval of the Global Operations unit, of the respective programmes. S/he also oversees compliance and implementation of relevant institutional procedures, policies and systems by programme teams and in alignment with donor requirements and eligibility regulations in coordination with the operations team.
The Head of Programmes manages and optimizes programmatic resources and funding strategies for the portfolio of countries to achieve their strategic targets.
As such, s/he oversees Regional and Country Representatives as well as Programme Managers in the overall management of the Great Lakes, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Somalia and Kenya, and is responsible for growing, coordinating and guiding these programmes and activities[1].
Guided by the Sr Director of Programme Management, the Head of Programmes coordinates closely with the Director of Policy and Learning to ensure that coherent and strategic institution-wide policy engagement is anchored in learning from programmes. S/he also works closely with the Sr Director of Programme Management to ensure a strategic approach to donors of the ongoing programmes. S/he will also collaborate and provide information to the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Communications on core Interpeace funding partners. The Head of Programmes collaborates and coordinates with other like-minded peacebuilding organizations operating in the region. S/he also develops and maintains strong relations with Interpeace’s key external partners and stakeholders, including programme donors. S/he supports the Finance Manager on donor-specific audits and implementing audit recommendations for the portfolio of countries under his/her purview.
The Head of Programmes consults with and coordinates with the Operations team (Sr Director of Global Operations, Head of Global Finance, HR and IT Global Managers) to ensure adherence to high standards of financial, IT, and human resources management in programme operations.
The Head of Programmes collaborates closely with the Programme Development Unit for strategic reflections on programme development for his/her portfolio of countries.
Duties and responsibilities
Specific Duties:
Strategic Engagement
Identifies and proposes regional & cross-border dimensions of programme strategy
Identifies and advances consideration/implementation of partnership possibilities at regional and country level
Follows the political, social and economic development of the region through coordinated updates from Programme Managers and Country Representatives and other networks to lead the strategic peacebuilding analysis of the Provides regular briefings to the programme teams and the Sr. Director of Programme Management.
Guided by the Sr Director of Programme Management and in collaboration with the Head of Strategic Partnerships & Communications, oversees donor engagement and fundraising initiatives
Collaborates with the Head of Strategic Partnerships & Communications in planning disseminating reports from the programmes to targeted audiences
Strategically promotes the peacebuilding activities in the region, especially those of local and regional partners, to ensure that peacebuilding remains in the consciousness of those engaged in post-conflict development
Oversee the production and dissemination of regular briefing papers emanating from programmes’ lessons learned and captured change in the region to influencing national, regional and international decision-makers. Coordinates information flow and disseminates Interpeace’s programmes of work to relevant stakeholders
Develops methods and mechanisms to pro-actively raise Interpeace’s profile and position in the region through its participation to key conferences and policymaking forums and processes, particularly at the regional levels
Creates spaces and mechanisms for collaboration and weaving with other programmes and units
Develops and maintains productive relationships with current and potential donors asd international actors (government, multilateral, and private where appropriate)
Establishes and monitors the strategic sharing of information and opportunities with key donors, partners and like-minded institutions
Develops a positive working relationship with the host government as well as with other regional authorities and bodies
Management – institutional coherence
Oversees the implementation and maintenance of effective “capture and share” strategies of communication to ensure the broader dissemination and understanding of Interpeace’s work
Develops, monitors, implements and maintains appropriate and collaborative coordination mechanisms between the programmes under purview and with Headquarters
Ensures all programmes in region are linked effectively at practical working level to the rest of Interpeace (especially corporate support; strategic partnerships; comms; policy; M&E)
Oversees and ensures information flow from region to HQ
Overseas conversion of activities from Programme Development function to Programme Management function
Representation
Regularly interacts at senior level with regional organisations (high level representational role)
Interaction at Track One level in countries and with partner organisations
Public representation on behalf of the organisation at regional level
Occasional media where required
Management of Personnel and Resources
Direct supervision and mentoring (approx. 4-6) of Country/Regional representatives and Programme Managers
Quality control for all country programmes in defined region and for cross-border &/or regional programmes
Forward planning to ensure effective delivery of multiple programmes
Creates an enabling work environment that fosters learning and innovation where staff members can achieve their potential, demonstrating gender-responsive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes
Guided by the mission and core values of the organization, its integrated talent management strategy, and in coordination with the Global Operations Unit, recruits, leads, motivates, develops, inspires and builds a high performance and cohesive team
Monitors, evaluates and documents the individual performance of direct reports through a staff development lens
Mentors and coaches staff members
In collaboration with the Sr Director of Programme Management and the Global Operations Unit, establishes and implements necessary measures that respond to the health, wellbeing and safety and security needs of the programme staff
Programme Development
Ensures timely forward-looking consideration and delivery of options to secure funding for extended programme work where relevant
Guided by the Sr Director of Programme Management and in collaboration with the Head of Strategic Partnerships & Communications, develops fundraising strategies to ensure the financial sustainability of the programmes under purview. This includes: identifying potential funding sources, ensuring strategic alignment of the programmes with funders’ priorities, and monitoring the raising of required funds by following the respective donor’s procedures
Identifies and advises on new development opportunities at regional and country level
Qualifications
Education
Tertiary degree in international relations, political science, development, management, or relevant fields
Experience
At least 10 years of professional experience in project management (strategy, planning, reflection, implementation, monitoring, evaluation)
At least 5 years of progressive management experience in cross-cultural, international organizations
Field experience in conflict affected contexts
Competencies
Excellent knowledge of management principles as they relate to multi-cultural and complex organizations
Experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model, with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment
Advanced planning and conceptual thinking, solid political analysis and a proactive problem- solving orientation
Advanced knowledge of peacebuilding policy and practice
Advanced knowledge of strategy development and financial management
Demonstrated critical understanding of the latest development and peacebuilding issues
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-responsive and non- discriminatory behavior and attitudes
Ability to mentor and guide personnel
Ability to interact with people respectfully and with tact
Ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and good judgment
Languages:
Excellent verbal and written skills in English and French required
Interpeace Competencies
Collaboration and Weaving
Communication
Drive for results
Adaptability and Continuous Learning
Respect for Diversity
Assets/desired
Demonstrated work experience in Eastern and Central Africa considered a strong advantage
Success factors
An innovative, strategic manager and planner that combines strong conceptual and critical thinking, solid political analysis and a proactive problem-solving orientation; a manager that leads by example, is accountable and mentors and empowers a team and works to create work-life balance
Identifies with and is committed to Interpeace’s core values and working principles
Commitment to inclusiveness and consensus-building
Interpeace values diversity among its staff and aims at achieving greater gender parity in all levels of its work. We welcome applications from women and men, including those with disabilities.
