Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, October 14, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Organization Background
Children International, a $114 million international humanitarian organization, is seeking a proven, results-oriented executive to lead and implement our Zambia Agency’s strategic initiatives and optimize our operating capabilities. The primary responsibility of every Children International employee is to help maximize our impact in the lives of the children and youth we serve and in the communities where we work.

The Programs Manager’s role will oversee the Programming Department in the following thematic areas; Health, Education, Youth, Child Protection and into Employment. This inspirational leader will guide the CI program team in Zambia to fulfill our vision: “Bringing people together to end poverty for good.” The Program Manager is employed by Children International (CI) – Zambia, a locally registered organization with offices and operations in Lusaka. CI – Zambia is an affiliate of Children International, a global development organization based in Kansas City, USA.

At Children International we believe that investing in children and youth and empowering them to be agents of change in their communities, is the single best answer to breaking generational poverty. Our approach is far more than poverty alleviation. We focus on engaging children and youth in four key development areas: healthy behaviors, education, empowering life skills and employment preparation. This holistic approach — delivered in community centers around the world by a passionate, high-performing team — delivers impact that lasts.
Today, Children International directly invests in more than 200,000 children and youth through 13 agencies in 10 countries around the world.

Children International’s work is made possible by generous and caring sponsors, donors, corporations, more than 9,000 dedicated volunteers and approximately 1,600 employees. To ensure our programs give children the best possible chance of breaking the poverty cycle, we are elevating our practices for growing our talent worldwide. That’s where you come in.

Position summary
This position reports to the Agency Director and the incumbent is responsible for leading the programs team to achieve established child and youth impact results. The leader will accomplish this by defining and overseeing the implementation of our Program Results Framework.
As a progressive and innovative leader, you will strive to create a high-performance, values-driven culture in the department.

We are looking for a passionate advocate for children, a leader who thrives on unleashing others’ potential. Top candidates will be exemplary leaders with superb programming acumen and a good understanding of child and community development and sustainability.
This position is critical to the future of Children International. It promises to be challenging, but you’ll see the rewards of the work in the eyes of the youth who graduate from our programs and in the gratitude of employees who have grown and developed under your leadership to make it happen. If your heart is beating a little faster at this point, you could be the person we are looking for.

Responsibilities
The Primary accountabilities of a Program Manager are:
• Input to critical organizational level decisions, as part of the key staff. This includes the annual strategic/operating plans and budgets for the organization, in line with the Agency goals.
• Facilitate and guide development of the annual work/implementation plans and budgets for all program units in line with the Agency’s program goals, quality principles, standards, best practices, and local context.
• Collaborate with and support Community Center Coordinator (CCC) and other central and field program units/teams/staff and ensure quality and focused implementation and program management. Ensure transparency, credibility, quality, cost consciousness and fulfillment/delivery timelines for all program activities across the Agency.
• Undertake periodic monitoring and reviews at field sites to track timely program activity implementation and adherence to established process, standards, and procedures. Ensure constant learning and capacity building of teams accompanies program activities throughout the program cycle.
• Identify, recruit and train high-performance value-driven teams and promote that culture throughout the organization. Advise and oversee adherence to all protocols related to health, safety and security for staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
• Lead, coach and develop the Agency Program Team, primarily Program Coordinators.
• Ensure quality and timely reporting as per Agency and CIKC requirements including annual reports, quarterly board reports, donor specific reports, etc.
• Foster collaborative leadership and manage critical stakeholder engagements (internal and external) that support effective program development, implementation and partnering.
• Strictly observe confidentiality and strong ethics with respect to all beneficiary information/data.
• Comply with and ensure adherence to the agency’s policies, safety and security protocols and child safeguarding norms and guidelines by self as well all stakeholders both internal and external.
• Promote diversity and inclusion, value other cultures, and demonstrate respect while relating with all organizational constituents irrespective of their race, color, faiths, gender, sexual orientation, age, caste, disabilities, experiences, beliefs and ethnicity.

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications
Education, Experience and Key Skills:
• University degree or equivalent in social sciences, social work, development studies, or any other recognized field of study with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar leadership program management role.
• Past experience of working/leading programs in a development organization focused on children, youth, or poverty eradication is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of government schemes and programs for children and youth as well as relevant laws related to child protection, data privacy, etc.
• Demonstrates leadership skills and possesses the ability to inspire trust, create vision, execute strategy and coach potential in a cross-cultural environment with multidisciplinary intergenerational teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication, research, and documentation skills as well as presentation skills in English/ Spanish (bilingual is highly desirable for Latin America).
• Good interpersonal skills with the proven ability to deal tactfully and build effective relationships with people across levels, both internally and externally.
• Strong computer skills with experience in different learning and communication platforms and MS Office application.
• Experience in effective planning, managing multiple priorities and driving timely and quality focused delivery in line with deadlines.
• Proven analytical skills, with the ability to gather and systematically synthesize complex or diverse information, identify trends, and suggest improvements, innovations.

Attributes
• Self-motivated and proactive with a high level of compassion, empathy, integrity, and passion to work on complex social causes, especially the cause of children and youth
• Actively pursues learning and self-development; seeks feedback; modifies behavior considering right feedback.
• Believes in collaboration and teamwork.
• Resilient to change and can manage change effectively within the team.
• Proven ability to deal effectively with and resolve conflict and confrontation.
In addition to the above, the following are highly desirable in the ideal candidate:
• Experience in working with a sponsorship-based organization
• Experience in reviewing and monitoring projects and collecting relevant data
• Knowledge of the local language
Travel Requirement: Willingness to travel as and when required

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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Job application procedure
To apply for this job email your details to jobs@lus.children.org.zm

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