Director of Program Development, Quality and Advocacy

Save the Children, the world’s largest independent organization for children, delivers immediate and lasting improvements to children’s lives all over the world.

Save the Children (SC) works to promote every child’s rights to survival, protection, participation and development as set forth in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.  The current programme focuses on the following core sectors: Health and Nutrition; HIV/AIDS prevention; Care and support; Education; Child protection; Child-focused emergency preparedness and response; Climate Change adaption Child rights agenda, including Civil society development, Economic opportunities, Child poverty Research, and Advocacy for child-friendly development policy and practice.

We are looking for candidates (both international and national) for:
Vacancy: Director of Program Development, Quality and Advocacy
Based in Hanoi

Main Responsibilities: The Director of Program Development, Quality and Advocacy shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the country program. The post holder is responsible for overseeing and ensuring strategic development of high quality, evidence based, innovative programs in all contexts that deliver immediate and lasting change for children and contribute to Save the Children’s global Breakthroughs: Learn, Survive, Be Protected. S/he will lead establishment and development of a PDQ team in the Country Office, and champion a team culture of learning and continuous improvement. S/he is responsible for overseeing development of programme strategies and advocacy initiatives to deliver immediate and lasting change for children. S/he will manage a team focused on design, funding, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning, technical excellence, advocacy and communications. 

Political and economic reforms have recently moved Vietnam from lower to middle income status ushering remarkable progress in reducing poverty.  However, despite this record progress, economic inequality by geography and ethnic group and their negative impact on child rights and exclusion issues, remains at the top of government priorities. SCI in Vietnam has therefore the potential to create new opportunities for addressing children’s needs and rights deprivations in a sustainable manner by modelling new ways of working, influencing national policy, building child focused coalitions through a variety of mechanisms such as consortia with local partners, public engagement, collaboration with businesses and so forth, in a manner that is informed by SC’s new global campaign and our theory of change. In this context, influencing national policies with rigorous evidences – generated by our programmes - of what works to improve the lives of Vietnam most marginalised and most deprived children will increasingly play a key role and it is an area where Save the Children in Vietnam would like to develop its work and expertise.

The Role will contribute to increasing country’s funding portfolio in line with the Country Strategy Plan, through leading on program design and development of funding proposals. The Role will ensure close collaboration with Program Implementation Department, Awards department and Finance and Support Services Department. 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.

The post holder will lead on achievement of the global Program KPIs, and contribute to achievement of other global KPIs.

Essential

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive senior management and/or development experience in a an INGO environment, including experience directing and implementing programs for children in both development and emergency contexts
• Experience in one or more of Save the Children's priority sectors: education, child protection, child rights governance, health and nutrition, child poverty, emergencies
• Outstanding analytical skills with a strong background in basic research
• Outstanding program/project design and program  cycle management and coordination skills
• Experience in working with high level government agencies and academics on issues related to children
• Credibility to advocate, influence and represent Save the Children at all levels
• Significant experience leading strategic planning and in programme design and proposal development with corporate sector, foundations and institutional donors
• Experience in successfully establishing and managing collaborative relationships and partnerships with donors and government counterparts.
• Ability to effectively establish a learning culture within an organisation
• Strong understanding of  different methodologies of monitoring and evaluation and operational research and experience in developing integrated MEAL systems
• Excellent listening and inter-personal skills; ability to work with diversified populations
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams in the event of major emergencies
• Commitment  to  and  understanding  of  Save  the  Children’s  aims,  values  and principles  including rights-based approaches
• Advanced fluency in both written and spoken English

Desirable

• Training, capacity building, coaching and mentorship skills
• Strong skills and proven experience in change  management processes
• Fluency in written and spoken Vietnamese

Please send CV and a completed application form, contact of three referees and a covering letter in English addressing the list of competencies to: 4th Floor, Machinco Building, No. 444 Hoang Hoa Tham street, Tay Ho District Hanoi or by Email: [email protected]

The SC’s application form and full job description are available at the website: http://savethechildrenvietnam.wordpress.com/vacancy

The closing date for application is 5 pm on 23rd April 2017. Applications will be treated in confidence. Due to the volume of applications we receive, only short-listed candidates will be contacted and CVs cannot be returned.

Save the Children is an equal opportunities employer. Our selection processes reflect our commitment to the protection of children from abuse, and our people are as diverse as the challenge we face.  We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.