Save the Children

Job Description
Position: Assistant Country Director
Responsible To: Country Director (CD)
Working With: Country Management Team; Project Teams (Project Coordinators)
Location: Tirana, Albania
Start Date: end of September 2010
Duration: 12 months
Main purpose of the role
The Assistant Country Director position is an international staff position within the Save the Children in Albania structure and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). The overall objective of the position is to assist and support the Country Director in the management and coordination of projects, strengthening the fundraising strategy of the office especially towards institutional donors (EU, Italian Cooperation+).
Overall Objectives (scope)
- To support the CD, where delegated
- To contribute to country strategy & annual planning with the CD and teams
- To assist the CD when needed
- To develop an follow up with a strong fundraising strategy involving institutional donors
- To act as CD in the CD’s absence
Responsibilities
Operational Management
- To work as part of the SMT for SCiA to ensure that the programs are being developed and delivered to clear strategic priorities
- Maintain a strong working relationship with the Country Director, and Managers in order to ensure the delivery of quality outputs in both project implementation, preparation, review and reporting.
- Contribute to ensuring monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits/evaluations are carried out periodically in conjunction with the team, CD and CHC, local stakeholders and project partners
- Contribute to ensuring adherence to timelines for all relevant proposals and reports, ensuring their quality as well as timely production and submission to the CD in accordance with Merlin and donor contractual agreements
- Regular travel to all project sites
- Assist the CD in organizing and facilitating monthly Senior Management Team (SMT) meetings and follow-up and report on the implementation and achievements of agreed action points.
- Participate as a member of the Country Management Team
Program Development
- Proactively contribute to program development and strategy with the CD and management, as well as annual plans and their implementation
Representation
- When delegated carry out representation with other NGOs, UN agencies, local and national government bodies, donors and other relevant parties when relevant and in coordination with the CD and HD, ensuring that all parties are kept informed of activities as appropriate
Other
- To undertake any other tasks and duties assigned by the CD.
Person Specification
- Extensive experience of overall project management in developing countries, preferably in South East
Europe;
- Project needs assessment
- Project proposal development, logical framework, and report and proposal writing
- Experience in budget management
- Experience of donor reporting requirements.
- Team builder with an ability to coach staff
- Diplomatic and an effective communicator at all levels
- Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
- Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
- Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and
cultures
- Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high workload and multiple tasks in a
fast paced environment with tight deadlines
- Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
- An understanding of and commitment to Save the Children's mission and values