South Africa: Team Leader – Australia Awards in Africa
Country: South Africa
Closing date: 12 Feb 2014
About the role
Based in Pretoria, South Africa, the Program Team Leader will be responsible for effectively planning and managing Program human, financial and material resources, providing direction and leadership, and for giving overall direction to and support for the design, delivery and evaluation of Program outputs, including substantial liaison and service support to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Successfully managing effective relationships with various agencies and partners throughout Africa is a key aspect of the role. This is a full time position up to June 30, 2015.
Key responsibilities include
- Supervise the operations of the Program Office and other hub offices including ensuring appropriate management and administration systems and procedures necessary for proper accountability, reporting and audit requirements. Ensure that the Office structures operate efficiently and effectively and within budgets and specified timeframes.
- Take a leading role to ensure the maintenance of sound working relationships with Coordinating Authorities and other partner agencies in African countries at all levels, actively develop and expand partnership arrangements.
- Direct all support provided to DFAT Pretoria covering the management of all types of DFAT Awards funded under the Australia Awards in Africa
- Prepare and ensure the timely delivery of all reports, financial information and other data required under the Head Contract with DFAT.
- Assume responsibility for and oversight of the conduct of all types of pre-course support under each category of awards including pre-departure briefings and the provision of in-Africa English language training
- Manage all selection processes including the engagement of panel members (other than DFAT staff) and provide all necessary support including the preparation of reports
- Manage the sub-contracting of all Africa Fellowships training providers including necessary quality assurance and subcontractor performance assessments
- Attend, or arrange for an appropriate representative to attend, Selection and Review Meetings and other necessary meetings, as directed by – Pretoria
- Oversight all M&E related tasks including the preparation of relevant reports. Monitor outputs and targets and emerging issues impacting on the program and incorporate an assessment of progress and issues in Annual Plans and Progress reports
- Oversee the development of a quality system, provide continuous quality assurance and quality improvements designed to improve performance and apply lessons learnt to successive stages of the Awards cycles
- Assist with and participate in Senior Reference Group deliberations and prepare relevant reports and Minutes
- Participate in annual Strategic Performance Assessment meetings with DFAT and promptly promptly actions arising
- Liaise closely with all DFAT alumni networks in Africa and administer alumni support mechanisms
- Manage gender equity and disability support mechanisms incorporated into Australia Awards in Africa
- Apply a comprehensive risk management approach to program operations and advise DFAT Pretoria of any implementation issues and proposed risk management response.
About You
Selection criteria
Essential:
- Postgraduate qualifications in education, business management or another relevant field
- Demonstrated high level leadership in donor project management
- Excellent client liaison skills and communication
- Demonstrated management of teams and offices
- Proven ability in the direction of high-volume operations
- Track record of success in the development of policy, systems and processes
- Demonstrated capacity to work to tight deadlines with competing demands
- In-depth knowledge of and familiarity with the Australian tertiary education sector
- Understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and evaluation
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated capacity to work sensitively in a cross-cultural environment in the developing world
- Outstanding presentation and communication skills
- Excellent writing skills, including the ability to edit reports prepared by others
Highly Desirable:
- Experience in managing a Scholarships program
- Significant experience in the developing world, preferably in Africa
About Australia Awards in Africa
Australia Awards in Africa is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) -funded initiative designed to: (i) equip Africans with the skills and knowledge necessary to influence the economic and social development outcomes of their own countries; and (ii) build the long-term capacity of African governments to progress towards their Millennium Development Goals.
Australia Awards provides a mix of Scholarships and Fellowships to Africans in the public, civil society and private sectors in targeted disciplines that support the home countries’ developmental priorities.
Australia Awards in Africa is managed by GRM International on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Applications close on 12th of February 2014
How to apply:
To apply please email your covering letter addressing the selection criteria and resume to Kristine.deleon@grminternational.com with the subject: OIC Kenya - AA. Without the covering letter, your application will not be considered. Please note that this role is evaluated at a Category C, Job level 3 on the Adviser Remuneration Framework.
