Background
The Protracted Relief Programme (PRP) seeks to reduce extreme poverty by preventing destitution of the most vulnerable, protecting and promoting livelihoods, ensuring food security and offering social protection to 2 million poor people in Zimbabwe. This five year programme was primarily funded by DFID but has rapidly evolved into a multi-donor initiative with additional funding from the governments of Australia, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and the World Bank.
GRM manages the programme through its Management, Technical Learning and Coordination Unit (MTLC), comprising 26 staff.
The MTLC plays a critical role to ensure effective programme management and coordination of all stakeholders including donors, implementing and technical partners and government.
Purpose of Position
This is a challenging post for a senior, experienced manager with extensive experience in working in fragile environments undergoing complex transitions. The MTLC Manager will lead the delivery of this national scale innovative and cutting edge social protection and livelihoods programme. S/he will manage a large team of technical staff to ensure the programme is delivered to the highest standard, continues to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and delivers quality services underpinned by a strategic policy framework aimed at transforming the livelihoods of whole rural communities. S/he will coordinate programme management and ensure that implementation of PRP is realised according to the conditions of the head contract between GRM and DFID. He/she will be responsible for the programme in all its facets and will be accountable to the GRM Senior Manager in Zimbabwe. He/She will have the following specific responsibilities:
Principal Responsibilities
1. Programme Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to ensure that PRP remains relevant to the changing operating context
- Be a strong proponent of the programme, able to discuss it with a range of partners and engage government partners as the opportunity arises.
- Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the PRP and efforts to ensure implementation meets programme targets.
- Manage/lead the MTLC technical team and support Implementing Partners to embrace and implement evidence-based, innovative and cutting edge sustainable approaches in improving livelihoods and promoting food security and social protection.
- Ensure lesson learning in relevant programme components to ensure that PRP remains abreast of contemporary international and local developments in livelihoods, social protection and food security.
- Evaluate the capacity of Implementing Partners in carrying out their mandates and support the capacity development of Implementing Partners and relevant collaborating national institutional structures.
- Manage policy inputs into national, provincial, district and community structures to foster near term buy-in to PRP and medium to long-term sustainability of demand driven interventions.
- Strengthen the research, innovation and capacity-building functions to inform policy and strategies of the wider donor and development community in Zimbabwe.
- Strengthen the communication function of MTLC to ensure regular dissemination of the programme and enhance visibility of PRP donors and their contribution to poverty reduction in Zimbabwe.
- Measure and respond to overall quality assurance or programme initiatives and coordination of learning networks among Implementing Partners and the wider development community.
2. Stakeholder Liaison
- Liaise closely with DFID and other donors, consulting and advising them on programme strategies and direction.
- Work closely with relevant technical agencies responsible for coordination of relief activities in Zimbabwe and ensure that PRP remains relevant to the recovery agenda in Zimbabwe.
- Foster cooperative relationships with relevant government structures at all levels to ensure that PRP contributes to policy formulation and overall coordination of targeted sectoral interventions.
- Convene the Steering Committee meetings and ensure that the relevant stakeholders attend.
- Play a key role in strengthening coordination with similar donor/NGO funded programmes to enhance linkages and effectiveness.
- Ensure direct contact and constant feedback with Implementing Partners to ensure that the PRP work plans are implemented avoiding duplication, strengthening programme linkages and facilitating knowledge management and lesson learning.
3. Personnel Management
- Manage staff to ensure the roles and responsibilities of MTLC are effectively executed and achieve value for money.
- Regularly appraise staff and provide feedback and support to enable them to do their jobs better.
- Source, contract and manage short-term technical expertise as required to effectively implement the programme.
4. Financial Management
- Tracking all program work plans and budgets ensuring that objectives of the PRP are attained.
- Ensure timely disbursement of programme funds to Implementing Partners and MTLC operations;
- Ensure that MTLC functions in a cost-effective manner that satisfies DFID's accounting and procurement requirements.
- Maintain budgetary controls and safeguards to prevent programme funds and assets misuse.
- Contribute to the preparation and/or review of Implementing Partner contacts and ensure that all contractual obligations are adhered to.
5. Reporting and Communicating
- Provide regular and timely comprehensive reports on PRP progress to DFID and the donor steering group.
- Communicate issues and lessons to DFID and other PRP donors in accordance with the PRP contract.
- Develop a reporting framework that will allow a standard body of information to be reported monthly in a standard format.
- Provide information and responses to ad-hoc requests from key donors as necessary.
- Ensure Implementing Partners submit timely and complete records to MTLC and that MTLC in turn provides timely and relevant feedback to the Implementing Partners.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The ideal candidate will have at least ten years experience in development work in developing countries preferably including Zimbabwe. Demonstrated experience working in post conflict or fragile states will be a strong advantage.
He/she must have proved ability to collaborate with donors, implementing partners, local and national government and other relevant key stakeholders. Strong capacity building, development communications and policy dialoguing skills will be essential. He/she should be an excellent manager with experience of team building, management of staff and staff development. This post requires a personal approach that is flexible and adaptable given the rapidly changing environment in Zimbabwe. The post holder will be required to travel frequently within Zimbabwe in sometimes arduous field conditions.
The MTLC is based in Harare, a pleasant city with good facilities, excellent schools and a good range of accommodation, shops and activities. It is a non-malarial area and is ideal for families being relatively safe with many open spaces and pleasant weather.
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