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BACKGROUND 

The Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) is an interfaith organisation working on, inter alia, national reconciliation, health and religious harmony. The IRCSL came into existence to facilitate interfaith collaboration as part of the efforts to end the country’s civil conflict. Inaugurated in 1997, it is composed of adherents of the two main religions in Sierra Leone – Christianity and Islam. The organisation has a network of clergy and imams in every part of the country, from village, town, chiefdom, and district, to national levels. They are entrusted with undertaking sensitisation, awareness raising and community education. Its core values and mission include the fundamental responsibility to promote interfaith dialogue, promote peaceful co-existence in communities and provide spiritual, moral guidance for congregations. In the nearest possible time, organization will undertake for the first time to develop their Country Strategic Plan which will broaden the scope of its interventions across the country and further strengthen partnerships with existing and potential donors.

In partnerships with Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), IRCSL seeks applications from suitably qualified and competent persons for its ‘Promoting national cohesion, peace consolidation and youths’ transformation with employability skills’ project and generally lead in the design, planning, coordination, development and management of programmes.

JOB SUMMARY

The Programme Development Manager serves as the focal person for all programme-related issues and is responsible for proper planning, designing, coordination, monitoring, sound financial management and programmes, high-level representation, programme quality development, capacity strengthening and effective relationships with partners and potential donors. The Program Development Manager will search for new funding opportunities, develop and maintain partnership with other organisations, writing concept notes and proposals and maintaining donor liaison to secure funding for new projects and programmes for IRCSL.

The scope of the post-holder will be within the confines of the following broad functions:

• Programme management and development in line with the New IRCSL’s Programme Strategy

• Partnership management and stakeholders’ relationships strengthening.

• Internal and external representation.

• Networking and advocacy.

• Financial management, monitoring and reporting of programmes and projects.

• Staff management and development.

• Safeguarding 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme management and development in line with the New IRCSL’s Programme Strategy

• Participate in the development of IRCSL’s Programme Strategy and support in guiding the process for appropriate features of development interventions are entrenched.
• Develop and manage donor-supported programmes and ensure they are aligned with the new programme strategy developed for IRCSL.
• Lead the process of developing concept notes and proposals and maintaining donor liaison to secure funding for new projects and programmes for IRCSL are secured.
• Searches for new funding opportunities through donor websites and donor engagement meetings.
• Reviews the funding opportunities and checks alignment with programme strategy, organizational policies, programme priorities and capacity.
• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plans in line with donors’ requirements.
• Work closely with the General Secretary on grant-award agreements and amendments for IRCL and lead internal review processes on grant-award documentation.
• Work closely with the General Secretary to manage project cycle meetings; namely opening, implementation, close-out, and learning meetings, where the IRCSL is the lead organization or sub-grantee in a coalition.

Partnership management and stakeholders’ relationships strengthening.

• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all relevant stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the organization in consultation with the General Secretary.
• Support and work closely with the Exco Officials of the IRCSL and program team for all partnership related issues.
• In the event of donor issues, work closely with the General Secretary to agree on the appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure the processes of internal due diligence processes are followed and completed in a timely manner for all donors with which IRCSL seeks to engage with on new opportunities.
• Ensure the capacity building and development plans from the due diligence are tailored accordingly and prioritized for actions within the required timeframe.
• Establish strong working relationships with CAFOD, CRS and other stakeholders.

Internal and external representation.

• Meeting at least quarterly with the Standing Committee of the IRCSL for dialogue and discussion of programme and project issues with a view to building ownership of and for the programmes and projects undertaking.
• Participate in government and INGOs/NGOs’ coordination meetings, technical working groups, and general meetings.
• Represent the IRCSL body at various levels as delegated by the General Secretary where and when needed.

Networking and advocacy.

• Ensure linkages between CAFOD, CRS, relevant government departments, ministries, and other agencies.

• Nurture and sustain relationships and effective communications with relevant stakeholders, including local government, national networks, bi-lateral agencies, and other agencies.

• Carry out advocacy work with relevant stakeholders at local, national and international levels and to consolidate national peacebuilding, national cohesion and peace in the country.

Financial management, monitoring and reporting of programmes and projects.

• In close co-operation with the Finance Manager and General Secretary, prepare financial forecasts, manage and monitor budgets and expenses.
• Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to staff assigned to the organization.
• Support the review and revision of project reports, narrative and financial, and support the internal coordination and review process.
• Work with project staff to develop a systematic and realistic monitoring system that captures progress on project performance indicators and disseminates with relevant stakeholders.
• Reports on monthly, quarterly, annual, and end of project basis in line with reporting needs as agreed with any donors or sponsors.
• Carry out field spot checks to monitor any activities implemented by IRCSL across the country.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
• Capture and report on program challenges, major decisions, lessons learned, and best practices gathered and disseminate with the General Secretary, Exco Officials of IRCSL and other relevant bodies.
• Communicate constructively with the General Secretary regarding donor and IRCSL requests and requirements to ensure prompt actions appropriately.
• Report to the Standing Committee of the IRCSL regarding all programmes and projects being implemented by the IRCSL.

Staff management and development.

• Identify and adapt appropriate staff development materials (training, distance learning, self-study) to support the building of capacity in resource acquisition, such as assessment and proposal development skills, basic elements of donor compliance.
• Coordinate the provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and faith leaders to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Support the Project Staff to facilitate capacity-building sessions with the faith leaders (District and Chiefdom Coordinators), especially in reporting and project implementation.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities among team members, ensuring a balanced workload and efficient utilization of skills and expertise.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect among team members in the organization.

Safeguarding 

• Conduct assessment of the existing safeguarding policy to identify gaps and areas of strengthening and modify to suit the safeguarding for the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Conduct regular orientation of the safeguarding policy with project staff and other relevant persons contracted to undertake assignment on behalf of IRCSL.
• Responsible for ensuring that the programme work IRCSL are accountable for is safe, accessible, dignified and inclusive.
• Create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
• Report any suspicion or ascertained case of violation of Do Not Harm and Safeguarding requirements that may arise.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least First Degree in international development, project management, business administration.
• Master’s degree in international development, project management or business administration will be an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• At least 8 years of work experience delivering humanitarian and/or development projects, with minimum 3 years of management experience.
• Previous experience in managing a variety of high-value projects across different themes.
• Proven record of success in delivering the full project management cycle, including experience in developing concept notes and proposals.
• Prior knowledge of donor regulations and sound understanding of implementation and management of different donor compliance requirements in the context of partnership.
• Proven leadership skills, and experience of managing staff.
• Accomplished in networking, influencing and delivering results with key stakeholders.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to function effectively under stressful conditions such as heavy workloads and deadlines.
• Excellent Microsoft Office applications skills (Excel, Word, Power point, Emails, Skype, Web researchers).

TO APPLY

Applicants are required to submit application package (cover letter, updated curriculum vitae including details of two referees, one being the recent supervisor) via email address to amadukamara2@gmail.com  and copy csamura@cafod.org.uk with mail subject indicating “Programme Development Manager – Name of Applicant”. All Candidate’s Cover Letter and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be submitted on or before 6th December 2023 at 5:00pm GMT.