Deputy Country Director

The Opportunity

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Nepal and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and future we share. Save the Children expects that anyone associated with it abides by its Safeguarding and other Zero Tolerance Policies. 

The Deputy Country Director, Program Operations, is responsible for ensuring overall management and quality delivery of Save the Children’s development as well as emergency response programs in Nepal. This will require strong, sustained coordination with the Director for Program Development and Quality (PDQ).

This position is responsible to ensure timely and quality delivery of the planned projects and programs. They will provide guidance and management support to their direct reports, including thematic directors, the director of operations and the humanitarian director. In addition, they will provide guidance and management support to the senior manager for Logistics. They will be held accountable for all aspects of program implementation including administration, project related procurement and supplies, financial and quality reporting requirements.

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in Nepal, they share the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO).

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Key Responsibilities:

The Deputy Country Director- Program Operations, is accountable for the areas below for which they may choose to delegate parts of these responsibilities to their team:

Programme Operations & Management

• Coordinates and liaises with relevant department heads to ensure that proper policies, procedures, and operational systemsare in place to properly and adequately supportprogram implementation.
• Oversees the timely, efficient, and effective deliveryof high-quality child-focused and right-based programs including,
  1. Creationand revision of Detailed Implementation Plans
  2. Reviewof Budget vs Actuals (BvA)
  3. Analysis/approval/rejection of requests for No Cost Extensions
  4. Coordination with PDQ to ensure strategic project implementation sites and themes
• Ensures that all the programs achieve high ratings in Key Performing Indicators (KPIs)
• Coordinates with the Awards team to ensure that Save the Children complies with donor and SCI regulations on all projects. 
• Ensures organizational policies and procedures are closely followed regarding bidding and tendering processes.
• Reviews Program Operation Department’s structure and ensures timely recruitment of staff and their training in consultation with the HR Department.
• Provides leadership in strategic direction, management, and evaluation of programs
• Ensures financial oversight of project and thematic budgets, maintaining timely expenditure in line with agreed priorities and donor guidelines.
• Builds the capacity of staff in program management, technical competency, and policy.
• Ensures compliance with SCI policies as well as legal compliance with the national laws and regulations
• Play a key role as advisor to the Country Director in matters related to program operation, safety and security, and emergency response.

Planning & Budgeting

• Co-lead with Director-PDQ in organizing CountryAnnual Planning and project plansdevelopment meetings and workshops in all regional offices and at the national level.
• Facilitates the development of Detail Implementation (DIP) Plans, phased budgets and program implementation strategies for each of the projects and ensure they are followed thoroughly by all project/program managers.
• Reviews the DIP on quarterly basis and updateas required.
• Tracking programprogress and budgetexpenses of all field offices,partners, projects and take corrective actions as required.
• Ensures the inclusion of procurement and supplies in the CountryAnnual Plan and followed thoroughly.
• Ensures Emergency Preparedness Plans is in place and updated and for small and medium sized humanitarian response are in placeand responded as and whenrequired.
• Supporting Save the Children’s dual mandate of development programsas well as being the leader in emergency preparedness and responseand ready for the deployment if required.

Programme Development

• Ensures partnersand Regional officesdevelop high qualityprogram/project implementation plan.
• Reviews the final draftof proposals to ensure they meet all operational requirements.

Partner’s management

• Coordinates with PDQ in identifying districts and NGOs for new and pilot projects.
• Ensures Project implementation partners are in full compliance with SC and donors’ requirement with coordination of other departments. Work with Partners team to ensure that partners selected to work with SC Nepal have the operational capacity to meet SC project objectives

Capacity building of SC and P/NGOs staff

• Ensures CO-basedstaff under Programoperations, Regional offices,and project implementation partners have plansand resources to access requiredquality technical assistance in time.

Representation and Networking

• Coordinates and represents project implementation at the district and national level with relevant donors, networks, government, and other forums that will consolidate SC's reputation and programming.
• Builds strong networks with other NGOs, CSOs, UN agencies, and Government line agencies working on children’s issues to promote coordination and resource sharing.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to

• Leadership of the Nepal/Bhutan Country Office.
• Supports the development of an organizational culture that reflects SCI’s dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning and sharing, creativity and innovation, and frees up people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent service for SCI members and donors.
• Helps design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to program needs.
• Ensures Nepal/Bhutan Country Office complies with all Save the Children Management Operating Standards and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensures that all required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Asia Regional Office (ARO).

Qualifications and experience 

• Master’s degree or equivalent
• At least 10 years of management experience with a minimum of 7 year of senior management experience preferably in an I/NGO environment, including experience in directing and implementing programs for children in both emergency and development contexts,
• Prior experience in working with government staff,
• Demonstrated management and development of diverse teams of national land international professional  staff,
• Proven sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including the ability to think creatively and be innovative, set priorities, manage e work plans, and evaluate progress,
• Highly developed relationship-building, negotiation, and interpersonal skills,
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.

Required No.(s): 1 (Nepalese Citizen Only)

Contract length: Fixed Term

Location: Country office, Kathmandu

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 workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. 

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.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.