Overall Purpose

The Regional Manager- Lilongwe shall oversee daily activities across all of PACE’s Programmes in Malawi and manage Partnerships, stakeholders, Programme teams and programme sites.

The Regional Manager- Lilongwe shall serve in the following broad areas:

· Day-to-day management of the Regional office on all programming, human resource and stakeholder matters

· Initiate in close collaboration with HOP region-relevant interventions and strategies to ensure maximum impact while remaining true to our core values, vision, and mission

· Create partnerships and develop MOUs for ED’s ratification and signing. Nurturing and developing relations to ensure we are well supported in programming

· Developing budgets for the region and developing controls to ensure that the Regional Office operates optimally

· Collect, collate, analyze and confirm the veracity of data with a view to preparing reports to the HOP/ED, stakeholders, and all other internal/external reports in the area of programming.

This role is full-time, based in our Lilongwe office with frequent travel to programme sites, regional Offices/countries as and when necessary

Reporting:

This role shall report to the Head of Programmes and closely work with the Executive Director on administrative matters.

Direct Supervision:

Programme Officers, Programme staff, and other regional staff

Key Responsibilities

1.  Provide programmatic and administrative support in the region under your jurisdiction

2.  Act as a link between the HOP/ED and POs regional staff to ensure the region is well managed

3.  Perform as the substantive Alumni in charge assuming all the responsibilities enumerated under PO-Alumni

4.  Oversee any other Programme as shall be directed by the Head of Programmes whether on an interim basis, to fill staffing gaps and/or in circumstances of scaling down

5.  Oversee and day day-to-management of Programme Officers under your purview

6.  Appraise teams and programmes to see their efficacy

7.  Coordinate closely and support the SMT on response fundraising, supporting the development of high high-quality notes and proposals linked to the response strategy, and engaging effectively with donors.

8.  Provide oversight and ensure timely & highly equal high-quality programme activities.

9.  Ensure quality programme monitoring through regular site visits within the response.

10.  Oversee the effective functioning of logistics systems to procure, store and distribute programme supplies and services for the timely delivery of PACE’s programmes.

11.  Collaborate with the Programme Officers, HOP, HSO, and ED to ensure that all technical and operational staffing, interns, fellows, teachers, and structure needs for programmes are met.

12.  Collaborate with HOP to ensure MEAL is undertaken seamlessly across all of PACE’s undertakings and to ensure that monitoring & evaluation and accountability processes are in place and compliant with benchmarks and ensure that feedback is incorporated into programme design and learning disseminated to stakeholders and SMT.

13.  Ensure strong accountability to beneficiaries and donor proposal fidelity

14.  Ensure that all programme staff conform to staff policies and have signed acceding to observe the provisions of such policies

15.  Produce high-quality and timely reports and log frames for HOP, SMT, Donors, and stakeholders within agreed reporting schedules as required.

16.  Oversee the delivery of capacity-building plans to develop the requisite technical competencies in programme staff.

17.  Coach, mentor and ensure Programme Officers and their officers are technically sound on programming matters.

18.  Engage in advocacy alongside HOP and SMT for shaping broader sector strategies through the influence of and the leadership within children’s education forums.

19.  Take the initiative in documenting lessons learned, good practice and case studies to shape PACE’s strategies and programme approaches and contribute to broader sector learning.

20.  Working with the communications Officer to cover stories and proactively identify advocacy opportunities to position our programmes.

21.  Approve expenditure for programmes in line with budgets and annual action plans.

22.  Supervise Petty cash payments and expenditure by the Administration Assistant and submit expenditure reports to the FAO

23.  Collate reports prepared by Programme Officers and check the veracity of the progress and issues raised before onward submission

24.  Ensure programme operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies

25.  Conduct Monitoring and Evaluation and submit findings with corrective measures to HOP

26.  Ensure that all our programmes are undertaken in strict compliance to all laws and bye-laws applicable in the country and counties’ of operations

27.  When called upon, conduct donor visits in close collaboration with SMT

28.  Represent the HOP in designated forums

29.  Attend staff and Management meetings

30.  Any other duties as shall be assigned by the Head of Programmes

This post may require travel of up to 60 days per year locally and internationally. There is also an expectation of occasional ‘out of hours’ working, travel, and external/internal events

Qualifications:

· Education: University degree in Development Studies, International development/relations Economics, Business Administration, Social Science, or related field. Postgraduate training is a distinct advantage

· Minimum of 2-4 years of relevant experience where an Advanced University/Master’s degree is attained. Experience of 3-6 years is regarded apt for those with Bachelor’s Degree.

· Excellent knowledge of English and good working knowledge of Chichewa. Understanding other local languages has a distinct advantage for this role

Skills & Experience:

· Understanding underserved communities, their orientation, and the group’s internal psyche and dynamics is fundamental

· Experience working in low-resourced teams with the dexterity to thrive in informal settlements and difficult conditions

· Established agility and potency to be able to use difficult modes of transport and occasionally work/travel long hours with little sleep

· Experience in programme management and implementation in the non-profit, development, or private sectors.

· Experience managing donor relations and conducting donor visits

· Outstanding project management skills. Proven ability to set priorities, work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

· Excellent writing skills. Demonstrated ability to draft proposals, reports, and results of research or other organizational documents with minimal supervision.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to professionally engage and work with key stakeholders in various settings including other staff, donors, peer organizations, beneficiaries, and other key stakeholders.

· Experience managing teams and working team-oriented manner to achieve programme objectives.

· English and Chichewa language skills are strongly preferred. The ability to communicate in additional languages is highly recommended

Person Attributes:

· Passion for PACE’s mission and values of Passion, Integrity, Volunteerism, and Collaboration

· Strong team orientation, relationship-building, negotiation skills, and ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people.

· Patience with and love for young minds that may continuously innovate and change with a high affinity to judgment deficit and are prone to committing errors

· High energy individual who demonstrates flexibility in work priorities, capable of multi-tasking and operating efficiently and effectively across multiple areas of responsibility.

· Demonstrated capacity to exercise independent judgment and sound decision-making in the midst of diverse and young-team organizational environments.

· Flexibility and willingness to take initiative.

· Quick learner and self-starter with a high degree of intellectual curiosity.

· Positive energy and attitude.

· The ability to multi-task in a complex and demanding environment

· The ability to build and maintain highly effective working relationships with a range of people (both internally and externally).

· Strong attention to detail, and excellent time management skills

· A commitment to teamwork and working in a collegiate manner

· Enthusiastic, diplomatic, and calm under pressure

· Ability to develop creative ideas and transform them into practical reality.

· Experience in fundraising will be a plus

· Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics

To apply, Send an email with the following documents to [email protected] with the subject line “[Your name] –RML Application”.

• A cover letter detailing your reasons for applying and your qualifications (max 400 words)
• 1-page resume with relevant experience.
• Copies of certificates and testimonials

PACE is an equal opportunity employer. Preference will be given to citizens of Malawi.