JOB DESCRIPTION

The Opportunity

Save the Children International is seeking an experienced and dynamic Programme Manager – Child Protection (CP), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) to lead the effective management and coordination of a multi-year, EU-funded integrated programme in a post-conflict setting.

Based in Semera, the role will oversee programme implementation across protection/GBV prevention and response, MHPSS, health, and livelihood reintegration interventions. The Programme Manager will ensure high-quality delivery, donor compliance, strong financial oversight, and effective coordination with partners, government stakeholders, and Save the Children thematic teams.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: (Programme Manager -Child Protection, MHPSS and FSL)

Job specific roles and responsibilities

Programme Oversight and Management

• Provide overall leadership and management of the integrated CP, MHPSS, and FSL programme, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, KPIs, and donor requirements.
• Lead strategic engagement with donors, Save the Children members, technical advisors, and field teams.
• Ensure timely signing of project agreements and effective start-up and close-out processes.
• Hold regular coordination meetings with project components to review implementation progress, financial performance, and budget versus actual (BvA) reports.
• Ensure quality planning, implementation, monitoring, learning, and reporting using common standards, tools, and best practices.
• Identify key risks, triggers, and mitigation measures, ensuring risks are actively monitored and managed.

Financial and Grant Management

• Serve as overall budget holder for the programme, ensuring effective utilization of resources in line with approved budgets.
• Provide close oversight of budget forecasting, expenditure tracking, and financial performance across all components and partners.
• Lead discussions on budget realignments and revisions in coordination with area offices, members, and finance teams.
• Ensure partner financial plans and reports comply with project agreements and donor requirements.

MEAL, Accountability, and Quality

• Provide overall leadership for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) at project level.
• Ensure MEAL data (IPTTs, performance trackers, evaluations) are used for evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Support the design and implementation of baseline, midline, and endline evaluations, assessments, and studies.
• Ensure functional accountability systems are in place, including information sharing, participation, feedback and complaints mechanisms, and staff capacity building.

Representation and Coordination

• Actively represent Save the Children in national and regional MHPSS, GBV, and relevant coordination platforms.
• Strengthen alignment of project tools, SOPs, and operational guidelines with national standards and cluster requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, and implementing partners.
• Ensure visibility of the project and effective information sharing across coordination forums.

Partnership Management

• Ensure timely finalization and management of partner agreements.
• Coordinate closely with finance teams to ensure timely disbursement of partner funds.
• Provide regular monitoring, supportive supervision, and technical support to implementing partners.
• Ensure partnerships function effectively and in line with signed agreements.

Staff Management and Capacity Development

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and mentorship to project staff and field-level budget holders.
• Promote a high-performance, inclusive, and accountable team culture aligned with Save the Children values.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required

• Master’s degree in psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Development Studies, or a related social science field (or Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience).
• At least 5 years of management experience in emergency, fragile, or development programme settings.
• Proven experience managing integrated multi-sector programmes, particularly GBV and MHPSS interventions.
• Strong experience in budget management, donor compliance, and partner management.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of staff and partners.
• Excellent analytical, report writing, and communication skills.
• Strong representation and coordination experience with donors and external stakeholders.
• High level of written and spoken English.
• Strong commitment to Save the Children’s mandate and child safeguarding principles.

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Politically and culturally sensitive, with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage complex workloads and deliver results under pressure.
• Commitment to accountability, integrity, and innovation.

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