Signature Program Technical Lead

Description

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

The Organization

Since 1944, Heifer International has supported more than 36 million Small Holder Farmer (SHF) families globally lift themselves out of hunger and poverty while caring for the earth in partnership with the communities we serve including Youth & Women. Heifer International is now accelerating its strategic approaches to closing the Sustainable Living Income (SLI) gap for 10 million additional SHF households globally by 2030.

In Rwanda, our aim is moving 300,000 smallholder farmers to achieve sustainable living income by 2030 against Heifer Africa target of 6.745 million. Heifer does this through the sustainable locally led Development approach.

The Role

The Signature Program Technical Lead – Rwanda will provide strategic leadership for country office Signature Programs. S/he will be responsible for signature program design, data analysis, market systems development, access to finance, value chain development, and proposal writing, as well as co-designing with our strategic partners.

S/he will also be responsible for signature program implementation, donor reporting and field-level management while ensuring the highest standards in compliance with obligations and results according to signed agreements. S/he therefore enforces quality assurance with programs and is responsible for the quality and performance of work of all relevant Signature Program staff, sub-recipients, and sub-contract service providers. In addition, s/he will build capacity/capability for signature programming in the country office.

The major focus of the role is to carefully guide the implementation of country-led Signature Programs, in line with project strategy, to achieve the Country’s objectives. S/he will maintain focus on management, communication and strategy and drive towards sustainability that achieves scale, permanence, and impact through long-term partnerships.

The Signature Program Technical Lead – Rwanda will report to the Country Director but will work collaboratively with the Signature Program Technical team at the regional level. The role supervises Project Managers.

The Person

The position holder will have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of Signature Program Management experience. He/she will possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing design and co-designing Market systems, value chain development, and large and complex programs. Experience working with governments, the private sector, local and international institutions is critical.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

A. Signature Program Co-design (20 %)

• Design and develop Market Systems, Access to Finance, Cooperatives & Off-takers capacity/capability building, Value Chain development and Co-designing relationships for in-country signature programming.
• In consultation with the Country Director and the Regional Signature Program Technical team, creatively design initiatives that uphold and improve program quality, innovation and learning on signature programs.
• Provide technical leadership for the preparation, design, submission and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. Act as in-country technical proposal developer, while integrating donor strategies, priorities, and technical requirements into Heifer’s approach.
• Enable strong relationships with donors, peer organizations, research, and other institutions, towards enhancing Program Quality.
• Develop and adopt standardized approaches, practices, tools and measurements in co-design and capacity strengthening.
• Guide in-country program team, in the development of comprehensive plans and materials, development and implementation of capacity strengthening strategies in the Signature Program area.

B. Program Management and Quality Initiatives (40%)

• Provide strategic leadership to the Country Signature Program team and excellent management of the approved program. schedules and budgets. Maintain excellent oversight of all program components and meet expectations for program success.
• Ensure application of best standards, best practices, partnership principles, processes, and tools, towards high quality. implementation of signature programs.
• Develop and implement strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Program Quality, that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments.
• Roll out capacity-strengthening initiatives in Program Quality for staff and partners, develop learning and training strategies and agenda, and conduct training and workshops.
• Analyse program data, capture, and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects, to facilitate improvement in decisions.
• Monitor and provide feedback on Program Quality through regular team meetings, field visits, and regular communication.
• Ensure that Program Managers and Coordinators execute approved workplan activities and operations in response to technical direction and recommend adjustments as appropriate, to achieve program objectives.
• Effectively manage program risks in each phase of program implementation in a timely manner, to ensure fulfillment of objectives.
• Ensure accountability and compliance for donor requirements.
• Ensure the provision of program-related reports and make presentations, as may be required.
• Ensure adherence to set compliance standards within Heifer and donor program and project guidelines and standards, including transparency, policy compliance, accountability, and communication with HQ, donors, and external constituencies.
• Effectively maintain strong communication with all the relevant stakeholders throughout program implementation and successfully manage a matrix program management structure when necessary.

C. Budget Management and Monitoring (20%)

• Ensure all program teams develop annual budgets and workplans, consistent with program documents and donor contracts.
• Provide support to program teams in undertaking the necessary review and updating of the workplans and budgets to respond to any emerging field implementation challenges and program review processes.
• In liaison with the Finance department, undertake quarterly budget monitoring and variance analysis with all Program.
• Managers, while reviewing and tracking spending to adhere to annual budgets.
• Ensure Program Managers and the entire Country office plan and undertake corrective management actions arising out of budget monitoring reports.
• Approve program-related requests for imprest and reconciliation, in line with plans and financial management procedures.

D. Strengthen Core Global Operating System (15%)

• Ensure compliance with Heifer International policies and procedures and other accountability standards through.
• Training, event participation, and field visits.
• Liaise with the Regional Signature Program Technical team and departments at HQ on behalf of country program about Signature Programs.
• Ensure Signature Program proposals and concept notes are entered into HQ tracking systems, to avoid delay in activation.
• Ensure adequate development, implementation, evaluation and systematization of signature programs by country office.
• Obtain and review signature program monitoring and evaluation reports from the field offices and make recommendations.
• Maintain Signature Program files and documents.

E. Any Other Assigned Function (5%)

• May perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of signature program management experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managing design and co-designing of Market systems, value chain development, and large and complex programs.
• Experience working with governments, the private sector, local and international institutions.

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s degree preferred.
• At least seven (7) years in technical signature programming leadership.
• At least five (5) years in management.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Knowledge of strategic planning, program and project development and implementation processes (including planning, monitoring, and evaluation).
• Knowledge and work experience in agriculture and community development in a developing country context (market systems, value chains, access to market, access to finance, etc).
• Excellent knowledge of monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills including strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of grant acquisition and management.
• Basic knowledge of finance controls and systems.
• Proficiency in basic statistics sufficient to analyze data.