Regional Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) Lead

THE OPPORTUNITY

TITLE:  Regional Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) Lead (SUBJECT TO FUNDING)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Middle East & Eastern Europe (MEEE) Operations & Humanitarian Team

LOCATION: Amman Jordan, or a country office in the Middle East Region

CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 months minimum

The fundamental objective of this role is to provide strategic direction and leadership to the broader Humanitarian Capacity Building (HCB) approach across the MEEE region in 2022.  The 2022 MEEE HCB approach builds on the core elements of the 2022 to 2024 Country Office (CO) Country Strategic Plans (CSPs), in addition to incorporating significant elements of the Global CSP – in particular the enablers related to partnering at a more strategic level, the shifting of power through enhanced localisation and the increased emphasis on advocacy campaigns and mobilization.  The post holder will manage a small regional team, and ensure strong collaboration and coordination with COs across the region, across key functions in the Regional Office (RO) and at a global level through main counterparts in the HLA.

This role will sit within the MEEE Operations & Humanitarian Response team at regional level and will also form part of the HLA team at a global level.  The HLA (supported by Save the Children UK) is a newly formed team that combines digital learning platforms, creative learning content and the delivery of quality accredited capacity strengthening in an exciting offer that is both unique and unmatched anywhere across the sector.  Capacity-strengthening and user-centred learning is, and will continue to be, of increasing importance – a key area to ensure the sector is able to respond effectively and efficiently to crises. In addition, to global coordination with the HLA – the role will be expected to work collaboratively with key functions in the MEEE and the PDQ team in particular.

Reports to: Regional Operations & Humanitarian Response Director with matrix line management to the Humanitarian Leadership Academy’s Head of Regions & Regional Programme Development & Quality Director MEEE.

Staff directly reporting to this post: 4   

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

• A Master’s Degree in a related field.
• 7-10 years of relevant experience.
• Fluent English written and spoken, Arabic language skills a distinct plus
• Strong understanding of the MEEE context and dynamics, including field experience and good awareness of humanitarian issues in the region
• Strategic mind-set and approach with experience at working at senior levels within an organisation
• Strong partnership working and influencing skills, including experience of developing partnerships with Universities, external organisations and leading strategic workstreams
• Excellent programme management and organisational skills gained through managing complex cross-organisational projects
• A strong understanding of adult learning and work-place learning methodology
• Public speaking and training facilitation experience
• Capacity to work independently and be proactive
• Experience in developing new capacity building programmes, including overseeing writing of content
• A good understanding of monitoring and evaluating approaches and methodologies
• Experience of people development approaches and excellent facilitation and training skills
• Experience of managing teams and individuals, including recruitment and selection processes
• Budgeting, financial management skills gained through budget-holding responsibilities
• Experience in a humanitarian programme and broad understanding of humanitarian issues, international relations and the international humanitarian system
• Problem solving, negotiation and contracting skills
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and influence at a senior level
• Coaching/mentoring skills
• Opportunistic – able to spot the potential to build capacity in an emergency context
• Advocacy and networking skills
• Ability to travel internationally, occasionally at short notice and to remote and insecure locations

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Responsible for maintaining the strategic direction of the HCB approach across MEEE (as aligned to the localisation agenda) – this should include identifying the learning needs and opportunities across the region as well as identifying growth areas and ensuring coordination and complementarity of other capacity strengthening initiatives across the region with other stakeholders in line with the MEEE HCB approach.
• Work with relevant regional leads and the Head of Regions in the HLA and Regional PDQ Director to identify, prioritise and implement capacity strengthening work.
• Lead a regional, cross sector capacity strengthening group to ensure greater coordination of efforts, develop emerging networks, information and knowledge exchange, identification of opportunities.
• Provide effective coordination of the different regional initiatives including a capacity building component to ensure different programs are aligned to the same strategic direction of the regional capacity strengthening model.
• Ensure strong coordination and collaboration with the MEEE Civil Society Partnerships Advisor as pertains to key HCB work with local civil society partners;
• Represent SC in external coordination forums to ensure adequate coordination with other stakeholders working on humanitarian capacity building (INGOs, UN Agencies, donors and other relevant organisations and platforms).
• This role, on a technical basis, is part of the Extended Management Leadership Team (EMT) of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, together with the Director and Heads of Team.  The EMT feeds into team vision and strategic decision-making, work planning, prioritisation and resource mobilisation, and ensures coordination across teams and consistency in communications, in accordance with the EMT Terms of Reference.
• Accountable for developing the annual regional capacity strengthening plan for MEEE which considers the learning needs and the learning solutions, products and services to meet these needs and how we can support the needs of other stakeholders in the region.
• Ensure quality design and project management of grants managed by the regional team, including financial management, project planning and reporting, in line with SCI policies and procedures.  Ensure that a child rights programming approach, gender, disability and resilience considerations are reflected in programme design and implementation.
• Manage and develop staff within the MEEE HCB Team, ensuring that they have relevant, clear and achievable objectives, manageable workloads and appropriate professional development plans.
• Working closely with the PDQ team and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy’s Creative Partnerships and New Business Development Team in identifying and pursuing emerging partnerships and new business opportunities.
• Representation on the HCBG [Humanitarian Capacity Building Group] including lead role in for the implementation and operationalisation of the HCBG workplan at the regional level.
• Contribute to supporting strong ways of working across the HLA, as well as taking individual responsibility for building an inclusive and supportive team culture.

People Management:

As a people manager at Save the Children, you are responsible for managing employees and resources to achieve specific short and long term functional or organisational goals with integrity.  As a manager you are be self-aware and hold yourself and others accountable through performance and behaviour.  You’ll proactively develop relationships built on trust, provide staff with clear guidance and direction; use coaching techniques to support personal ambition and professional development.  You’ll create an inclusive environment where team members feel safe to express ideas and acknowledge mistakes. 

The Regional Lead is to carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects:

• Save the Children’s commitment to safeguarding children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy,
• A commitment to Save the Children’s vision, mission, values and approach,
• A commitment to diversity and inclusivity and promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work,

Other

Any other duties as assigned by the Regional Operations & Humanitarian Response Director

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

 

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.