Director Jobs
Background:
Street Child believes that every child deserves the chance to go to school and learn. Our projects focus on a combination of education, child protection and livelihood support to address the social, economic, and structural issues that underpin today’s education crisis. We partner with local organisations and communities to deliver our locally rooted programmes, using evidence to drive learning and the refinement and scale up of programmes to create maximum impact for the most children at the lowest cost. We pride ourselves on being willing to go to the world’s toughest places where others won’t, including remote, hard-to-reach areas and fragile, disaster-affected states across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Street Child have helped over 148,000 children and families through education, child protection and food security programming. In 2022, 1 in 10 Community Based Classes in Afghanistan was run by Street Child, reaching over 60,000 Out of School children.
Part 1: Role Purpose:
The Head of Program position, reporting to the Country Director in Afghanistan, is responsible for leading a diverse programme portfolio across multiple provinces and partners in Afghanistan. The primary objectives of this role are to secure additional resources to support our work across the country and lead the design and implementation of Street Child’s programme in Afghanistan. Specifically, the postholder will lead the programmes team (including food security, child protection and education project managers and localisation advisor); lead our partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders; drive our resource mobilization; ensure effective programme implementation; provide strategic technical expertise in Education programming; and provide capacity building to staff and partners as required. Additionally, the Senior Programme Manager will be responsible for external liaison with national and international partners, government officials, and donor community, deputising for the Country Director as required. Ideally, the Senior Programme Manager will have technical expertise in education programming and/or child protection.
Part 2: Key Responsibilities:
(40%) Programme Management and Coordination:
- Provide matrix management oversight for the successful delivery of projects; including technical input, activity planning and day-to-day liaison with the team and implementing partners to ensure quality implementation within timeframe and budget.
- Provide technical support in areas of own expertise (ideally education programming), including programme development, quality assurance, technical backstopping, and capacity strengthening and coaching for education team and partner staff.
- Lead on the delivery of consortia programmes that CIC are part of.
- Coordinate the identification of partner capacity development needs and the provision of targeted support.
- Ensure all donor, internal and external reporting requirements are met in a timely manner, and are in compliance with donor requirements of project/ program allocation.
- Ensure comprehensive and professional M&E practices are in place.
- Ensure project reviews and the financial health of all projects by supervising expenditures within each project monthly and ensuring that well-structured corrective action is initiated and tracked where required.
- Maintain regular links with the operational teams to facilitate the provision of logistic, administrative and security support to facilitate program implementation.
- Establish meaningful working relationships with projects stakeholders and represent CIC at Education Cluster, ACBAR, Ministry of Education, UN agencies, and other international organizations working in education sector.
(40%) Programme Development and Resource Mobilization:
- Provide context analysis on the humanitarian/development context in the country.
- In close coordination with the Regional Representative and Country Director, identify and analyse new funding opportunities in Afghanistan in which Street Child can add value to the humanitarian and development response.
- Develop, implement, and review sector strategies and support the Country Director in identifying strategic opportunities for strengthening Street Child’s work in the country.
- Articulate strategic approaches, partnerships, management/ staffing plans, M&E and budgets.
- Cultivate partnerships, establish links and closely coordinate with relevant government stakeholders, UN agencies, INGO’s, L/NNGO’s, clusters, donors for programme development, including opportunities for consortia.
- Lead the project proposal development (budget, log frame, theory of change etc.) within the framework of the country and global strategy, with support from the programme teams.
- Support Country Director in formalizing a country strategy that aligns with global/regional strategies, priorities and programmes.
(20%) Leadership and Staff Management:
- Managing programme staff including field staff and ensuring direct reports have clear and realistic performance-based management goals
- Ensure that Street Child programme teams comply to Street Child’s security and other relevant operational, financial, logistics, admin, HR, safeguarding, and code of conduct regulations.
- Ensure that any risk to Street Child programming, projects or staff is communicated as soon as possible to and understood by the Country Director.
- Deputise for the Country Director as required.
Generic Responsibilities:
- A strong commitment to Street Childs vision, mission and values.
- Adhere to all Street Child’s policies and procedures.
- Able to represent Street Child appropriately both internally and externally.
- Carry out all reasonable requests that are within the broad remit of the role.
Part 3: Professional and Behavioural Competencies:
Education Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in field of international development, social science or related field.
- Master’s degree in international development, humanitarian studies or related field.
- Accreditation or certification in education or child protection.
Experience and Knowledge:
- At least 5 years of experience in the humanitarian/development sectors.
- Proven track record in successful development and implementation of programmes in Afghanistan or comparable contexts including successful management of teams in humanitarian contexts.
- Significant experience of management in humanitarian/development programming.
- Technical knowledge and proven experience in delivering education programming.
- Experience of developing successful proposals to institutional donors in education, child protection and/or livelihoods.
- Fluency in both oral and written English, with experience in report writing at a graduate or professional level and excellent drafting skills
- Comprehensive understanding of sectoral trends and targets.
- Experience of delivering inclusive education programmes including EIE.
- Experience/knowledge of child protection or gender programming is highly desirable.
- Experience in delivering integrated programming that supports outcomes for children and their needs is highly desirable.
- Experience of in-country aid architecture, coordination and cluster groups.
- Working knowledge of Dari/Pashto is desirable (not required if international).
Competencies:
- Proven ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and strong capacity to work in intercultural teams.
- Excellent team working and communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and public presentation skills.
- Reflective, responsive and respectful towards communities and colleagues.
- Ability to work independently and with initiative.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for?
Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential, Mental Health and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year. Fair Ways is a great place to work. We are a team. We care about each other and are all committed to making a change to the lives of the children, young people, families and vulnerable adults in our care. We will not apologise for calling our staff great, the best, or world-class. Our staff are at the core of our organisation and we celebrate them by shouting it from the rooftops!
Where and when do we need you?
We are currently recruiting for a Finance Manager to work within our established finance function. In this role you will be reporting directly into the Finance Director and will play a key part in driving the service improvements and compliance at an operational level. You will operate as a critical member of the organisation through the management of the finance function, effectively leading the management of day-to-day financial operations and ensuring the needs of internal and external stakeholders are met. This will be done through working as a true strategic partner within the charity, advising and consulting with managers on a wide range of issues ensuring the delivery of key financial objectives supporting the charity in meeting its goals for growth and financial stability.
In this role you will be involved in exciting and rewarding things like:
- Leading and developing a fantastic team - Undertaking line management responsibilities for allocated members of the finance team undertaking dedicated coaching, development, 121's and any day to day support that is required to ensure that finance colleagues are supported and developed appropriately and that we deliver an outstanding service both internally and externally.
- Advising and Consulting - Producing high quality monthly financial reporting which is accurate, timely and meets the needs of managers and directors using financial information extracted from the appropriate finance systems to assist them to manage their departments' budgets and understand budget variances.
- Data analysis and Reporting - Leading on the year-end audit and accounts closedown process through the collation and analysis of appropriate financial information and liaising with auditors to ensure agreed deadlines are met. This work will contribute to the production of best practice statutory reporting and provide internal and external stakeholders with assurances that the charity's finances are well managed.
- Managing Compliance and Risk - Ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations and legislation by monitoring controls and procedures and making recommendations to adapt to changing circumstances. This is to ensure that any risk associated with non-compliance is assessed, rectified and managed appropriately moving forward in order to ensure that any impact to the charity is managed effectively.
- Delivering Excellence - Supporting the delivery of the Finance strategic agenda including taking the lead on the development and monitoring of the annual department Continuous Improvement Plan. This will involve undertaking a SWOT analysis of the Finance function in collaboration with colleagues in order to assess the current environment and produce a development plan to address shortcomings and aim for excellence.
- Being a subject specialist - Leading on VAT issues on behalf of the organisation in conjunction with external VAT advisors. Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns, review existing processes and consider the implications of changes in VAT regulations in order to ensure the charity is complying with legislation and maximising charitable reliefs available.
Successful candidates will be working a 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday, you will hybrid work between home and a minimum of 1 day per week at our office at Lakeside in Portsmouth.
All candidates must have a full driving license and have access to the use of a car. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways.
You and your specialisms
Management roles within the charity are pivotal in achieving our mission of making a difference through passionate care, support, and education. To support this, you will be required to have, or be working towards a minimum of the following qualification levels:
Essential
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACMA, ACCA, CIPFA)
- Advanced Excel spreadsheet skills
- Significant experience of preparing monthly management accounts
- Clear understanding of risks relevant to the finance environment and controls required to mitigate risks.
- You will have experience as a Finance Manager, leading and developing a team of professionals, and a good knowledge of accounting and tax issues in a high performing organisation.
- Excellent communication skills to drive engagement with Finance issues and manage change effectively.
- Prioritise and deliver effectively in a fast-paced environment with your values at the core of your decision making.
Desirable
- Experience of working in the Not For Profit sector and knowledge of the Charities SORP.
- Good working knowledge of HMRC and particularly VAT tax regulations
Let us look after you!
At Fair Ways, we care about your well-being, here is what we currently offer to our dedicated team:
- Exciting Opportunities: Participate in free staff lotteries with amazing prizes, such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers, £1000 fostering referral scheme and vouchers. Experience a workplace that celebrates your contributions.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a Holiday Accrual Scheme and the option to purchase additional holidays (up to 5 days). We value your time and offer flexibility to accommodate your existing commitments.
- Health and Support: Benefit from Health Shield, our health cash plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Scheme, providing emergency financial assistance and 24/7 counselling services. Access your salary when you need it with Early Pay – The ability to withdraw an amount of your salary early each month to assist with any unforeseen circumstances.
- Growth and Development: Unlock your potential with our Education Grant, offering funding for accreditation up to master's level. Engage in leadership courses to enhance your skills and progress in your career.
- Wellbeing Matters: Experience team-building days, summer festivals, and well-being initiatives, promoting a positive work environment. Take advantage of discounted gym memberships and a cycle-to-work scheme to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Recognition and Rewards: Be appreciated for your dedication through annual Staff Awards and Long Service Awards. Build a secure future with our pension scheme and gain eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
- Supportive Community: Be part of our diverse workforce that embraces all communities. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to contribute to our inclusive and vibrant culture.
Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you!
If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, apply today and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.