Senior Project Lead, SCI Led Funding & Country Office Efficiency

Job Description

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Project Lead, SCI Led Funding & Country Office Efficiency to join our global team.

SCI-led Funding is all forms of funding that are received by Save the Children International directly from outside the movement. As part of the Horizon B initiative following the USG SWO and subsequent cuts in donor funding, SCI is launching a cost efficiency initiative at all levels including Country Offices to reduce overhead and increase the amount of donor funding going directly into programmes that benefit children.

This role will be responsible for leading the overall direction of this efficiency initiative, ensuring it remains on track to deliver on agreed outcomes and course correcting as necessary. The post holder will be expected to influence other functions to deliver without direct authority and to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and coordination. In addition, given the global nature of the project, s/he will play a critical role in stakeholder management across Members and SCI, and will be expected to steer change management and communication-based activities. A passion for cross-functional working, problem-solving and a “can do” attitude is key.

• Job Title: Senior Project Lead, SCI Led Funding & Country Office Efficiency
• Reports To: Director of Global Programme Operations/Chief Operating Officer
• Work Pattern: Remote
• Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract (24 months)
• Grade: P6
• Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers
• Time Zone (that the role holder must be available to work in): Any
• Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment
• Language Requirements: English
• International Travel Requirements: up to 10%

Principal Accountabilities

Project leadership

• Set the overall direction for the initiative based on the sponsors’ steer (including narrative building)
• Be the accountable person for the initiative’s progress and performance
• Be the senior focal point for any information or engagement required from the initiative
• Be the lead communicator on the status of the project, ensuring that updates are succinct, easy to understand and tell a clear story
• Oversee the creation of communication products (e.g. newsletters, email updates and webinars)

Project management

• Lead detailed project planning, building on the outputs of the feasibility year and monitor progress, course correcting as required
• Assess the sequencing of deliverables based on relevance, feasibility and resources
• Report on the initiative’s progress, ensuring any dependencies and risks are identified and addressed
• Determine business analysis requirements and maintain oversight over them
• Lead the overall roll out planning and monitor progress

Stakeholder management

• Report to the initiative’s sponsors on targets, progress and identified risks; and ensure their steer is obtained as appropriate in a timely manner
• Lead senior stakeholder engagement (i.e. Member, Global Programme Directors, the COO, Regional Directors, GT Functional Leaders) and consultation as appropriate
• Lead the cross-entity/cross-function steering group, ensuring maintained buy-in, problem-solving and effective consultation
• Lead wider engagement and consultation through existing reference groups and other relevant channels

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of senior level leadership and management experience in a large and complex international NGO or organization
• Extensive Country Office operational leadership experience
• Experience in solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring cross-functional buy in
• A proven ability to apply excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and to work collaboratively to deliver effective solutions to project related issues. This will include taking on hands on analysis activities to support the wider team as required
• Highly developed organisational awareness and ability to understand any sensitivities within a complex multi-stakeholder structure; and think creatively and strategically to overcome obstacles to cooperation and progress
• Strong team leadership abilities with the ability to motivate and mobilise individuals outside their reporting line
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills (written & verbal English), including the ability to partner with and influence at all levels of the organisation
• Experience in implementing organisational structure/operating model change projects in the NGO sector
• Ability to work independently and use initiative and constructive approach
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Save the Children.

Desirable

• Experience in working collaboratively across multiple Save the Children members and SCI Country, Regional offices and global team
• Arabic, French and/or Spanish language skills

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant professional experience

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found here. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Closing Date: 28th October, 2025

Queries: Husna Chioccola, Senior Manager, Executive Hiring, Save the Children International

Our recruitment process:

• Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
• Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
• Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

About the Organization

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, 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.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.