Head of Programmes

Job Description

Starting date: January 2020
Duration: 24 months with the possibility of extension
Exact Job Location: Yangon with frequent travel to the states/regions
Reports to: Country Director

People in Need (PIN) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance around the world. In Myanmar, People in Need started to work in 2002, when it launched the financial assistance to civil society groups and independent media. After 2008, PIN provided humanitarian and relief aid to people affected by typhoon Nargis. Since 2012, PIN has been operating directly from Myanmar, our programs focusing primarily on supporting local civil society in remote areas, and humanitarian assistance. We are working in areas affected by armed conflicts in Rakhine State and in Kachin State providing humanitarian aid in the sectors of Nutrition, Education in Emergencies, Protection and WASH. In Kachin State, PIN also provides technical support for designing and implementation of the land reform process and works for ensuring the appropriate involvement of civil society organizations. Furthermore, our social cohesion program aims to promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in different communities in Mon, Kayin and Rakhine States. We are currently expanding our operations into urban programming in Yangon.
Apart from Yangon, PIN has currently offices in Rakhine, Kachin and Kayin States. Majority of PIN funding in Myanmar comes from the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF), the EU, Czech and US Governments, UN and private donations.

As a member of the Senior Management Team (together with Country Director, Head of Systems & Operations, HR Officer, Program/Area Managers) the Head of Programmes will jointly ensure the management and development of the country programme. The Head of Programmes supervises all programmes, with the specific responsibility for the timely and efficient programme implementation, and most importantly the quality of projects and programmes in terms of their impact. By supervising the implementation of results-based M&E systems, the Head of Programmes also guides the programme strategy and development of future programmes. Together with the Country Director, the Head of Programmes represents PIN to donors and partners, ensuring that PIN is recognised for its field experience. Furthermore, the Head of Programmes engages in medium and long-term planning and strategy activities, ensures continuous quality improvement of programmes and contributes towards a successful environment for the programme staff.

• Lead the programme side of the development and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan

• Ensure that the overall programme is designed, managed and implemented in conformity to PIN policies, strategy and guidelines.

• Ensure effective leadership and management of PIN Myanmar programme through line management of Programme / Area Managers or Project Managers where relevant
• Lead proposal writing processes from a programme perspective and coordinates with other departments
• Ensure timely and high quality reporting is done by all programmes to donors
• Ensure project developed meets high standards in terms of design, implementation and M&E through proper Project Cycle Management
• Prepare programme budgets collaboratively with programme and finance staff
• Track programme expenditure through monthly programme review meetings using financial expenditure reports prepared by the finance department.
• Ensure compliance to donor policies, procedures and procurement

• In consultation with the Country Director, plan HR needs, capacity building needs for senior program staff and ensure sufficient human resources for the programme to meet its objectives
• Ensure coherent policy towards recruitment, remuneration and bonuses across the country programme

• Ensure that PIN is well represented and visible in the donor community, amount key partners, and within coordination fora, delegating as appropriate to programme staff.
• Ensure PIN maintains its position within existing sectors and with its existing strengths especially with regards to field presence, and regional expertise
• Share responsibilities with Country Director for donor representation and discussions about funding opportunities
• Engage in advocacy and policy dialogues where appropriate, ensuring PIN represents the needs of its beneficiaries and based on its field experience in order to campaign for needed policies, donor commitments etc.

• Ensure that all programmes properly retain programme learning for future projects, and that all information is properly documented.
• Ensure that all official programme documentation is properly stored and available for the future.

• Proven experience in project cycle and team management; proven experience with needs assessments and proposal development
• Strong grasp of quality standards in humanitarian programming, including safeguarding and accountability mechanisms
• Knowledge and experience of Monitoring and Evaluation within projects is required
• Excellent spoken and written English
• A higher-education degree (Bachelors or Masters) in relevant fields
• Dynamic and result-oriented profile
• Ability to organize and plan effectively
• Critical analysis and problem solving skills
• Cultural sensitivity, excellent communication skills and strong ability and willingness to transfer knowledge
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under pressure
• Responsible and systematic

• Possibility to work in a well-established and locally recognized NGO
• Salary and benefits according to PIN’s salary scale and HR policies
• Opportunities for learning, trainings and capacity development
• 25 days of paid leave annually
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure
• Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation
• Travel health insurance
• Housing allowance

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV and short cover letter. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).

About the Organization

The People in Need organization was established in 1992 by a group of Czech war correspondents who were no longer satisfied with merely relaying information about ongoing conflicts and began sending out aid. It gradually became established as a professional humanitarian organization striving to provide aid in troubled regions and support adherence to human rights around the world.

Throughout the 25 years of its existence, People in Need has become one of the biggest non-profit organizations in Central Europe. In addition to humanitarian aid and human rights, it now also targets education and helps people living in social exclusion.

We are part of Alliance2015, a strategic network of seven European non-governmental organizations engaged in humanitarian aid and development projects. This collaboration increases effectivity both in working in the target countries and in campaigns aimed at influencing the attitudes of politicians and the general public in Europe.