Ireland: International Programmes Director
Country: Ireland
Closing date: 08 Sep 2013
Working with the world’s poorest people to transform their lives; Concern Worldwide is an international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. We work in partnership with the very poor people in these countries, directly enabling them to improve their lives, as well as using our knowledge and experience to influence decisions made at local, national and international level that can significantly reduce extreme poverty.
Concern Worldwide is headquartered in Dublin with a subsidiary in the UK, an affiliate organisation in the US and branches in 25 countries in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
Job Title: International Programmes DirectorReports to: Chief Executive OfficerDirect reports: Direct reports will mainly comprise of Regional Directors and heads of any support unit assigned to the International Programmes Directorate.
The International Programmes Director has ultimate responsibility for managing all staff in our overseas countries.Job Location: 52-55 Camden Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Extensive overseas travel is a requirement of this role. Contract Details: Full-time, permanent contract at executive level
The appointment to the role of International Programmes Director is for a period of five years following which either a second three to five year period in the role or appointment into a new executive position will be considered.
Pay Band: Pay Band 9: €74,939 - €92,572Job Purpose: The International Programmes Director is responsible for the management of all of Concern’s programme activity in our overseas countries.
The Director will oversee and manage Concern’s engagement in long-term development work, emergency response and related advocacy activities; in this way the position will contribute to the targets set out in the organisation’s strategic plan.
It is expected that our programme work will meet international operating standards and follow best practise.
This position will work closely with members of the senior management team in Dublin, the UK and the US, in this way ensuring that our work with poor communities is central to the organisation.
This position is part of the Senior Management Team.Main duties & Responsibilities:
Oversee the development of country specific strategic plans that are aligned with the organisation’s strategic plan, ensuring country plans demonstrate:• that Concern is adequately prepared to respond to sudden and slow onset emergencies (in our existing countries of operation).• that development programmes are addressing the needs of the extreme poor and are in line with agreed programme policies and strategies.• that advocacy opportunities relevant to the needs of the extreme poor are identified and progressed;
Manage the implementation of the strategic plans so as to ensure that the intended organisational and country-specific results are achieved;
Ensure programmes and projects are designed, monitored and evaluated in partnership with the Strategy, Advocacy and Learning Directorate so that learning is optimised, internal and external standards are met and best practise is adhered to;
Develop a funding strategy for overseas programmes that includes co-funding from institutions and general donation income. Ensure coordination between the various fundraising offices, Republic of Ireland (Fundraising and New Business Development), United Kingdom, and United States, in the implementation of the funding strategy;
Work closely with major institutional donors with a view to optimising co-financing for programmes;
Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure that the organisation has appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage the overseas financial affairs of the organisation, ensure compliance with best practice as well as donor and regulatory requirements and to ensure value for money in the utilisation of resources;
Present multi-annual and annual programme plans and budgets and progress reports to the Council of Concern, senior management and relevant stakeholders;
Work closely with the Human Resource Director to ensure Concern attracts, retains and develops staff both National and International;
Work closely with the Emergency Director to roll-out mechanisms to ensure the security of our staff in the increasing complex environments in which we work;
Ensure the roll-out of the Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct across our country programmes;
Represent Concern as appropriate with donors and other key stakeholders and contribute to the development of policy formulation and best practice in the sector;
Represent Concern with various media organisations ensuring effective communication with our key audiences
Monitor the external environment in which the organisation operates to ensure that significant developments are clearly understood and that opportunities are identified and leveraged as much as possible, in particular;• keep abreast of significant policy developments that may impact the organisation or its target communities.• engage with key external actors and networks promoting strategic partnerships that that may assist delivery of the organisation’s mission;
Lead the International Programme Management Team to effectively manage and direct operations, ensuring that the Directorate has the right management systems, procedures and structures to carry out its overseas work effectively, accountably and safely.
As part of the senior management team, contribute to the development of the organisation’s strategic direction and decision making processes so as to contribute to the overall leadership to the organisation;
Accept, advance and pursue any new objectives or responsibilities that may be assigned by the CEO, including transfer of existing duties and/or re-assignment to other responsibilities should the organisation so require;
Ensure that the organisation’s values and policy commitments, including accountability and equality, are reflected in our programming work.
Person specification: The appointee must have extensive experience at senior leader level in an international organisation and be passionate about the aims and objectives of Concern.The following are essential:• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Humanitarian Assistance or equivalent;
• Ten years’ experience of working in the international NGO arena of which at least five years are at a senior management level;
• Experience of managing multiple country programmes/operations at a regional level in both development and humanitarian contexts.
(i) Concern Worldwide’s Core Competencies This is a key leadership position, potential candidates are expected to demonstrate significant ability in the following areas:• Leadership;• Communicating and working with others;• Delivering results;• Planning and decision-making;• Managing yourself;• Creativity and innovation;• Influence, advocacy and networking;• Change management
Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct candidates acknowledge that they have understood the contents of both the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.
Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year. Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).
Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant. For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.
Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
How to apply:
To apply: All applications should be submitted through our website at www.concern.net/jobs before closing date 8th September, 2013
Applications should include a CV and cover letter (of not more than two pages).
Referring to Concern’s eight core competencies, candidates should outline in the cover letter why they wish to be considered for this position and how their skills and experience meet the requirements of this role.
If you require additional information regarding this position, please email Ruth O’Donohoe, HR Manager on ruth.odonohoe@concern.net
