PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT (PD) MANAGER

Job Description

JOB READVERTISEMENT 

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT (PD) MANAGER

SOS Children’s Villages was established in Sierra Leone in 1974. We work with government and partners in communities to help families care for their children or to provide an alternative family for children who have no one to care for them, or who have lost parental care or are exposed to risks of neglect, abandonment, abuse and exploitation. Located in Freetown, Bo and Makeni, SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone has a wide range of programmes, in which the love of a caregiver is essential, to ensure children grow in a loving home and become their strongest selves.

Our Vision: Every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security.

Our Mission: We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we  

                       share in the development of their communities.

Our Values: Courage

Commitment

Trust

Accountability:

Programmes include Alternative Care settings, Interim Care Centres, Youth care programmes that support more than 530 children and young people leaving in villages and in communities. In addition to quality care, we advocate for children, young people and women’s right, protection, safeguarding and empowerment. SOS Children’s Villages also provide quality education to over 4,000 students through its Herman Gmeiner International Schools, Kindergartens and Technical Vocational/ Employability and Entrepreneurship Training Centre in support of care-exit strategies and reintegration processes. Other projects include the Youth Innovation challenge & Youth-Can! which support young entrepreneurs with their businesses and young people on their quest to employment. The emergency programmes aid vulnerable families cope with the impact of COVID-19 and the economic downturn to prevent family separation.

SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone is recruiting a National Programme Development (PD) Manager to coordinates the implementation of its Programme Policies, 2030 Strategy, the Care Promise, the Gatekeeping guidelines, all programmes and projects of SOS Children’s Villages. She/He drives the implementation of quality child – youth development programmes (work with families of origin; SOS families and various programme interventions like direct essential services, capacity building and advocacy in the field of alternative care, youth empowerment and quality education). 

She/He will monitor the implementation of a quality assurance system within SOS Children’s Village Programmes and heads the National Program Development Department.

Works in close cooperation with the National Director, Programme Function Heads and other Managers of the National Office for the smooth running of all programmes but most importantly for the holistic and integral development of all children and young people under our care.

Leads the processes of national Child Rights Situation Analyses (CRSA) and feasibility studies at location level.

She/He will direct the implementation of strategies and objectives in accordance with the SOS Care promise, all other policies/quality standards of the Organization.

Actively participate and coordinate efforts in the Safeguarding & Protection of children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination.

Cooperates with Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations in carrying out researches on the situation of children of SOS Sierra Leone’s target group

Supports the National Association’s participation in international research projects within SOS Children’s Villages International.

Ensures the development of a national strategy and an advocacy action plan in line with the context of the country and the WCNA Regional Advocacy Strategy and SOS CVI 2030 strategy.

She/He will support the National Child-Youth Safeguarding Coordinator and other programme colleagues to maintain contacts, exchange information and develop partnerships with key stakeholders of the child welfare sector.

Ensures the identification of relevant advocacy campaign themes for the National Association, their implementation and the visibility of advocacy activities through the media (including social media) in coordination with relevant functions of the organization.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, or development studies, or related field; Master’s degree (MA or MSc) in business or related field preferred.

• 5+ years’ previous experience in program management, project management, administration, or related field.

• Proficient computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office Suite; working knowledge of program/project management software.

• Knowledgeable in program management methodology and techniques; performance evaluation and change management principles.

• Experience with compiling and following strict budgets.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Able to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively

• Have a great writing and reporting capacity and a mastery of the IT tool.
• Highly developed communication with tact & diplomacy, interpersonal, networking, and negotiation skills.

• Trustworthiness and confidentiality as well as modelling principled behaviour.

WORK CONDITIONS

STARTING DATE: 1st May 2024

DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year with a possibility of an extension based on performance

                                            and/or availability of funding

Number of positions: One 

LOCATION: Freetown 

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

To apply: submit a letter of interest, with Curriculum Vitae, photocopy of certificates, and three (3) professional references with at least one (1) from a direct supervisor, by email only to apply.sl@sossierraleone.org  Please indicate in the subject line the position and location you are applying for, for example: “Application for the Position of Program Development Manager ”. 

Closing date for the submission of applications is Thursday 11th April 2024

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks.

What We Stand For:

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organisation, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.