Role Summary

The Head of Programme will manage and build the foundations long-term development programme, have full responsibility for the operational delivery and ongoing development of the foundations FEHE’s programme i.e., Food, Education, Health, Economic Empowerment and shelter) while we respond to needs through administrative and technical support to project staff and partners in the field.

The post holder is responsible for designing, ensuring management and coordination of effective and appropriate interventions. This includes strategically growing and expanding our intervention programmes, humanitarian and development management, coordination of programme management, implementation and support in the development implementation of the nationwide strategy.

The Head of Programme will support Project Coordinators and Partners, ensuring all programme implementation aligns with the foundation’s mission and vision.

What You Will Do

Programme Development and Management

• Ensure effective FEHE programme design, plan and deliver in line with strategic plans and GSF’s programmatic approach and quality standards and identify and proactively seek linkages and integration between policy and service delivery programmes.
• Guide partnership engagement and manage relationships with strategic partners and provide appropriate guidance and support.
• Ensure that the project team, works collaboratively effectively to manage relationships, negotiations and communication efforts with funders, and partners in all phases of project design and implementation; promote appropriate involvement of partners at all stages of the project cycle.
• Initiate challenging and innovative programmes and ensure learning is applied for improved programme effectiveness and external influencing.
• To create and maintain quality assurance systems that monitor standards and support high-quality delivery.
• Plan and conduct regular partner monitoring and support visits at least once per quarter and submit field visit monitoring reports to the Executive Director and take forward any issues with respective partners.
• Make informed decisions on the management of FEHE programmes to maintain quality and ensure delivery against plans.
• Ensure effective integration and coordination with policy and advocacy initiatives.

Strategic Leadership     

• Contribute to the development of the strategic plan for the foundation and develop and maintain appropriate and effective monitoring and evaluation framework, operational plans and policies to support the strategic plan.
• Design and lead the development of programmes in line with our mission, vision and goals and approaches to ensure maximum impact, effectiveness and transformational change at a national scale.
• Identify the key gaps and strategic opportunities in Ghana where GSf programmatic intervention can have a high impact and bring about progressive change.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a partnership strategy to ensure that impactful and effective partnerships are identified, built and managed.
• Represent GraceStation in national civil society organisations (CSOs), government (and international) forums related to influence thinking on the effective delivery of FEHE’s and build the foundation’s reputation.

Financial Management and Budget Control

• Lead the development of operational plans and budgets for functions under his/her control in line with funder reports.
• Manage and monitor expenditure against budgets for strategic and annual plans in adherence to financial guidelines, ensure value for money, and act as appropriate within delegated authorities.
• Carry out regular budget monitoring. This will include ensuring spending are within the agreed budget limits and at least 95% expenditure is attained by end of the Financial Year. Assist the Finance Manager, in liaison with Project officers, with reasons for variances to plan remedial action.
• Prepares monthly financial cash flow plans & timely submission to the Finance office.

People Leadership

• Identify skills and resources needed to deliver against strategic plans programme operations & funding and plans; recruit and develop team members accordingly.
• Effectively manage the performance of team members and motivate them to develop and perform at their best.
• Ensure regular meetings and appraisal and performance reviews are carried out as required by the Foundation policies.
• Create and maintain a positive team environment conducive to high performance, according to GSf values and model value-based leadership.

External and Internal Reporting

• To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the programme and its projects against the achievement of contract and project targets.
• To work with Project Managers and the Financial Monitoring & Evaluation Manager to ensure that reports to funders and donors are submitted in the agreed format and per agreed timetables.
• To ensure that income and expenditure targets are adhered to and agreed contribution is achieved.
• To ensure systems are developed and maintained to keep accurate records relating to the delivery of contracts and projects.
• To use these systems and controls to highlight to the Executive Director any material variation against the Budget or Forecast position.
• Working with the Foundation financial reporting timetable and in liaison with the Finance Team, to ensure the monthly/quarterly management accounts and forecasts are accurate.
• To produce and agree on the annual Budget & Programme Plan following the Foundation timetable.

Partnerships and Collaboration

• To work with the Executive Director to develop and maintain effective relationships with existing stakeholders and partners and develop new ones relevant to the specific programme areas.
• To manage positive stakeholder relationships with partners as appropriate.

Travel

• The role will require some travel in-country, as well as infrequent trips across the regions and international.

Any other duties

• The post holder will undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade of the post as required.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Competences

Education/Qualifications

• Minimum of Graduate Degree from a recognised University/College in International Development, International Relations, Management or any other related area that can bring added value to the job.
• Minimum of Seven (7) years’ development and management experience and at least three (3) of which should be in a senior management position in a reputed International or National Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

Experience

• Experience in strategic planning and operational management of large and complex budgets and programmes.
• Excellent oral and written communicator with strong written and reporting skills, and an excellent ability to influence verbally to persuade with diplomacy and tact
• Experience in developing key strategic and operational partnerships at different levels (NGOs, donors, government) for programme operations and funding interventions.
• Initiative and motivation to work independently and develop solutions to problems. Highly flexible in style with the ability to produce creative and pragmatic solutions to complex problems
• Experience and abilities in capacity strengthening – developing curricula and facilitating training.
• Ability to attract and secure new funds and develop and review funding proposals.
• A clear and sound understanding of community-based development projects/ programmes.
• The ability to communicate in a local language where work is focused is desirable.

Personal Competencies

• Strategic thinker. Able to see the bigger picture, challenges and opportunities and create a long-term vision. Able to lead strategic discussions.
• Ability to take outputs from critical thoughts/analysis to inform ‘hands-on’ problem-solving.
• Excellent relationship management skills. Proven ability in building a strong working relationship with colleagues and a variety of stakeholders such as funders, government officials, partners and community members, business leaders, academics, other sector actors and high-level decision-makers.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and networking skills.
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to represent and act as a spokesperson for GraceStation foundation in a way that builds credibility and influence including strong writing skills.
• Able to work with and across the organisation and other teams effectively.
• Successfully leading, managing, building and motivating high performing teams and developing individual capacity.
• Flexibility and willingness to go the extra mile, which also includes the willingness to work additional hours at crucial times.
• Strong initiative, with a willingness to take on new responsibilities and challenges.
• Able to plan, prioritise and organise self and others and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to GraceStation values and a working style that reflects these.

Technical Competencies

IT Proficiency

• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.

Language

Fluency in professional written and speaking English and local language (Twi, Ga, Ewe Dagaare, Dagbani and/or Hausa).