The COP will ensure that the program is technically sound, evidence-based, and responsive to country and USAID priorities. The COP will be responsible for the overall quality and impact of the program. S/he will lead the development of program strategies, design of program approaches, advocacy and fundraising, networking with key stakeholders including government, NGOs, national and regional forums and representation of the country office at various levels. S/he will play a key role in designing partnership strategies, building diversified collaborations and networking with key players at the community and national levels. The COP will also be responsible for planning and monitoring the financial budget and its expenditures for effective and efficient programming in El Salvador and for the target regions.
This position will only be filled if the funding is awarded to Save the Children and the candidate receives USAID approval.
- Lead the planning, designing and implementation of programmatic activities in alignment with organizational strategic vision and project objectives
- Identify partnerships and collaborations strategies with NGOs, government and/or the private sector
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with government ministries and departments, UN agencies and NGOs, and actively participate in coordination meetings
- Provide managerial and technical support throughout the implementation of the project, including management of sub-partners
- Manage program budget and monitor program progress towards achieving results and anticipated outcomes
- Ensure financial systems are in place to control funds, equipment, property & facilities; Submit accurate and timely reports as required
- Ensure compliance with all relevant administrative and financial policies and procedures of the El Salvador country office, Save the Children and USAID
- Establish, build and nurture effective teamwork both at El Salvador country office (CO) and district levels to create a cohesive workplace environment
- Foster a learning environment among the program team members to encourage innovation and sharing of ideas; ensure appropriate training and capacity building activities for program staff members, to support high quality program implementation
- Provide management leadership in staff supervision, performance appraisals, hiring and mentoring employees to ensure quality and retention of core program staff. Develop and update the organogram for effective management and supervision
- Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms and identify gaps through a robust monitoring process. Ensure that the program monitoring tools and system are in place to ensure high quality implementation
- Minimum eight years of senior-level management experience designing, managing and implementing large and complex child protection programs
- At least five years management experience and working/ living in a developing country, preferably in Central America
- Previous experience strengthening child protection systems at both national and sub-national levels, and linkages to legal and judicial structures
- Experience working in child protection, particularly serving children victims of trafficking, sexual abuse, displacement and/or violence preferred
- Prior experience as Chief of Party or Deputy COP as well as knowledge of USG approaches and regulations is required
- Knowledge and proven experience in setting strategy, staff oversight, program administration, contractual compliance, and financial management; ability to communicate strategy and vision to both partners and colleagues
- Proven ability to ensure gender integration in project design, implementation and M&E strategy
- Proven experience in the development of child-focused approaches using social marketing, media/communications, corporate or other fundraising strategies
- Experience in the application of security protocols at the community level as well as in restricted or extremely violent contexts
- Ability to navigate politically sensitive terrain and maintain constructive relationships with a diverse set of key stakeholders and host country government as well as with USAID/El Salvador.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; fluency in English and Spanish.
- Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of El Salvador and the region is ideal
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.