Save the Children
Summary
This role provides support to the Deputy Response Team Leader-Programs in the areas of planning, implementing and reporting on food commodity interventions, as well as technical assistance to and management of food program staff members ensuring the delivery of the quality food assistance programs meeting the required standards of Save the Children’s and its donor(s). The post-holder will also seek to build the capacity of staff at the field country office levels through regular systems reviews of program operations and training of program staff.
The Food Program Manager will oversee and ensure the effective management of and accounting/reporting for all food commodities, materials and equipment.
Responsibilities
• Lead on food assistance needs assessments in coordination with other SC thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies, ensuring assessment findings are documented and that all assessments include a specific analysis of children’s needs.
• Working closely with the Deputy Team Leader – Programs or Team Leader, to develop technical response plans and budgets. Support fundraising for food assistance programs, including development of high quality concept notes and proposals, and engagement with donors’ technical Advisers in country.
• Prepare and oversee food program implementation to ensure appropriate and timely delivery of program activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management and work plans).
• Prepare timely program and donor reports – both narrative and quantitative - on project activities (inclusive of commodity receipts and distribution in the areas of operation) in compliance with internal SC requirements and any relevant external donor and/or SC member requirements
• Selection of distribution sites meeting the standard minimum criteria in accordance with Save the Children and donor standards.
• Obtain concurrence for the local government, local leaders and /or owner of the property to use the space for distribution stating specifics dates for distributions.
• Determine beneficiary selection criteria in consultation with donor and associated local authorities and communities prior to registrations process, in accordance with SC standards and values.
• Form food distribution management committees from the community and establish (if possible) a MOU that establishes the roles and responsibilities of the community leaders in assisting SC with the registration and food distribution process.
• Compile beneficiary registration list/s in consultation with the donor(s) and local authorities and communities and provide ration cards to beneficiaries.
• identify program commodity requirements and equipment supply needs and coordinate with the logistics team to put in place a sensible phased procurement, transportation and distribution plan.
• Working closely with the HR team, identify FSL staffing needs (both national and international, for skilled and unskilled roles) for emergency programs, and ensure rapid recruitment, induction and training of new staff.
• Develop monthly distribution schedules and ensure that community leaders, Logistics Manager, Warehouse Manager and Distribution Staff are advised.
• Work closely with the Security Officer to ensure security of food program staff, logistics infrastructure and delivery and distribution of food commodities.
• Ensure that public messaging, protection of beneficiaries and accountability to beneficiaries is appropriate to ensure that distributions are carried out in a safe and efficient way, prioritizing beneficiaries with special needs, and in line with SC established guidelines.
• Working closely with the M&E team put in place an MEAL plan and Develop monthly food monitoring schedule, based on the distribution schedule, and provide to the food monitors with prescribed monitoring formats.
• Ensure end use distribution monitoring reports and recipient status reports are properly completed by the Food Monitors and that reports are reviewed and synthesized to ensure appropriate action is taken to address or mitigate issues/problem at distribution sites.
• Establish and implement systems and procedures as per SC policy for receiving beneficiary grievance/complaints and analyze and act upon such cases to improve the quality of food program deliverables.
• Lead, support and motivate food distribution team members, ensuring that team members have clear understanding of objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Working closely with the Deputy Team Leader – Programs or Team Leader, to develop technical response plans and budgets. Support fundraising for food assistance programs, including development of high quality concept notes and proposals, and engagement with donors’ technical Advisers in country.
• Prepare and oversee food program implementation to ensure appropriate and timely delivery of program activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management and work plans).
• Prepare timely program and donor reports – both narrative and quantitative - on project activities (inclusive of commodity receipts and distribution in the areas of operation) in compliance with internal SC requirements and any relevant external donor and/or SC member requirements
• Selection of distribution sites meeting the standard minimum criteria in accordance with Save the Children and donor standards.
• Obtain concurrence for the local government, local leaders and /or owner of the property to use the space for distribution stating specifics dates for distributions.
• Determine beneficiary selection criteria in consultation with donor and associated local authorities and communities prior to registrations process, in accordance with SC standards and values.
• Form food distribution management committees from the community and establish (if possible) a MOU that establishes the roles and responsibilities of the community leaders in assisting SC with the registration and food distribution process.
• Compile beneficiary registration list/s in consultation with the donor(s) and local authorities and communities and provide ration cards to beneficiaries.
• identify program commodity requirements and equipment supply needs and coordinate with the logistics team to put in place a sensible phased procurement, transportation and distribution plan.
• Working closely with the HR team, identify FSL staffing needs (both national and international, for skilled and unskilled roles) for emergency programs, and ensure rapid recruitment, induction and training of new staff.
• Develop monthly distribution schedules and ensure that community leaders, Logistics Manager, Warehouse Manager and Distribution Staff are advised.
• Work closely with the Security Officer to ensure security of food program staff, logistics infrastructure and delivery and distribution of food commodities.
• Ensure that public messaging, protection of beneficiaries and accountability to beneficiaries is appropriate to ensure that distributions are carried out in a safe and efficient way, prioritizing beneficiaries with special needs, and in line with SC established guidelines.
• Working closely with the M&E team put in place an MEAL plan and Develop monthly food monitoring schedule, based on the distribution schedule, and provide to the food monitors with prescribed monitoring formats.
• Ensure end use distribution monitoring reports and recipient status reports are properly completed by the Food Monitors and that reports are reviewed and synthesized to ensure appropriate action is taken to address or mitigate issues/problem at distribution sites.
• Establish and implement systems and procedures as per SC policy for receiving beneficiary grievance/complaints and analyze and act upon such cases to improve the quality of food program deliverables.
• Lead, support and motivate food distribution team members, ensuring that team members have clear understanding of objectives and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
Required
• Significant management experience working in an emergency response contexts or fragile states
• Previous first phase emergency response experience is essential
• Education to MSc/MA/MEng level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
• Detailed familiarity with the policies and procedures of WFP and other food assistance donors.
• Familiarity with all related donor/s regulations in order to ensure compliance
• Demonstrated skills and experience managing/implementation food distribution, monitoring, review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the CRC and international humanitarian rights standards.
• Significant experience in commodity management, including budget holding and donor reporting – both narrative and quantitative.
• Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.
• Substantial people and program management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach
• Ability to work with limited supervision by line manager.
• Ability to work under pressure and harsh conditions
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
• Previous first phase emergency response experience is essential
• Education to MSc/MA/MEng level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
• Detailed familiarity with the policies and procedures of WFP and other food assistance donors.
• Familiarity with all related donor/s regulations in order to ensure compliance
• Demonstrated skills and experience managing/implementation food distribution, monitoring, review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the CRC and international humanitarian rights standards.
• Significant experience in commodity management, including budget holding and donor reporting – both narrative and quantitative.
• Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.
• Substantial people and program management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach
• Ability to work with limited supervision by line manager.
• Ability to work under pressure and harsh conditions
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
Employee Type: Full-time
Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. Each year, we reach tens of millions of children in need in the United States and around the world. Join our dedicated and diverse staff in their work to improve the well-being of children everywhere.
Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.
Save the Children provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.
Save the Children provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
