Programmes Manager - STAR Ghana Foundation

STAR Ghana Foundation (SGF) is a national centre for active citizenship and philanthropy. The Foundation works to strengthen civil society and facilitate inclusive citizens' engagements with the state and other duty-bearers for accountable, transparent and responsive governance at both local and national levels. To deliver on its mission, STAR Ghana Foundation deploys a flexible range of tools and approaches, including facilitating multi-stakeholder policy dialogues, to providing competitive grant calls, leveraging and catalysing strategic partnerships, up-to-date political economy analysis, media engagement and communications, citizen feedback, and convening communities of practice and learning. Further information can be obtained at www.starghana.org

Job Description

• Duration: 2 years, renewable
• Planned Start Date: 1st week of October 2020

Role Purpose

The Programmes Manager is required to lead on the development and implementation of programmes and projects necessary to achieve the Foundation's aims and objectives. This will include managing the programmes team and any associates engaged to support with programme processes; providing the team of the Foundation with relevant technical input as shall be required; ensuring effective delivery of programmes and projects; and provision of appropriate support for institutional partners. The role-holder will lead on the development of proposals to enhance the Foundation's effectiveness and sustainability.

A key deliverable of the post is collation, aggregation .and dissemination of results achieved by the Foundation and its partners. The post-holder will also be responsible for overall programme and project monitoring and reporting in accordance with donor requirements. She/He will provide representation for the Foundation as directed by the Executive Director. 

Relationships 

• External: Maintaining relationships with donors, relevant state and non-state actors, relevant networks, and technical advisors/consultants
• Internal: Maintaining close liaison with relevant Governing Council committees, Foundation work teams, including Finance and Administration, Funding and Communications. 
  • Supporting the Executive Director in strategic decision-making: The role holder will support the Executive Director in the coordination of all the Foundation's programmatic work and in the leadership and management of the Foundation's team. Such support will range from recruitment of programme and project staff and consultants, to day-to-day line management of programmes staff and ensuring the team is working towards STAR Ghana Foundation's strategic objectives. It also includes' overall operational management of programmes and projects.

Required Skills or Experience

Person Specifications

Essential 

• Master's Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, business or related discipline 
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in a relevant field with 5 years in similar role in the development sector 
• Proven experience in designing, implementing and monitoring capacity strengthening support for state and non-state actors 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) programming
• Demonstrated knowledge and experiences using political economy to inform programming decisions
• Proven experience in mentoring and strengthening technical skills of staff 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
• Extensive experience in Monitoring and Evaluation and knowledge management 
• Fluent in English, spoken and written. 
• IT Competency, particularly in the use of the Microsoft suite.

Role Requirements

The role holder will possess the relevant competences in the following areas: 

Managerial: Ability to: 

• Multi-task and plan multiple strands of work 
• Identify and clearly define problems; and select or decide on the best course(s) of action. 
• Consult in problem solving to make use of ideas and expertise from others 
• Find innovative ways to solving problems 
• Manage the project life cycle 
• prioritise and establish plans for achieving goals 
• Develop teams and resolve conflicts among team members 
• Listen to contrary views, ideas, etc. without undue aggression, emotion, or defensiveness
• Build commitment to the job and the organization 
• Take action to control costs 

Technical: Knowledge and experiences in 

• Using political economy analysis to inform programming decisions
• Civil society strengthening approaches 
• Results-based and participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches 
• Proqrarnme and project management methods and tool 
• Budgeting and resource allocation procedures 
• Supporting partners and project teams on their projects in relation to the overall programme 
• Proposal development 
• Use of embedded political economy analysis approaches
• Gender equality and social inclusion programming.