JOB TITLE: PROGRAM MANAGER LIVELIHOODS RESILIENCE (LR) DIVISION / DEPARTMENT / LOCATION: International/ Southern African Region/ Malawi Country Program/ Lilongwe JOB FAMILY: Program SALARY : TBA LEVEL: NC1 Background: During 2014, Malawi as part of the Confederation wide Oxfam Country Strategy (OCS) process, developed a new country strategy, aligned to the Oxfam Strategic Plan 2013-19 and Oxfam Vision 2020. This new strategy is more ambitious about the scale of change- and aims to achieve five times more than the current strategy. This ambition necessitates a tighter thematic focus, and is premised on Oxfam playing the roles of convenor and influencer, with clear performance indicators. The OCS 2015-2020 will focus on power and inequality as underlying causes of poverty in Malawi. The vision of the Malawi program is that Malawian women, men, boys and girls are more equal, have improved livelihoods and as active citizens have greater influence over the decisions that affect their lives. This will be achieved through four goals aim to promote active citizenship, guarantee sustainable livelihoods, advance gender justice and respond to humanitarian situations. The realisation of these goals will require that we work in partnership and in alliance with others from the local to global levels. The Country Goals are: Country Goal 1: Malawian Women, men and young people benefit from an accountable public resource governance system that makes equitable provision for quality services and tackles inequality Country Goal 2: Malawian smallholder farmers have more resilient, sustainable and economically viable livelihoods. Country Goal 3: Malawian women and girls enjoy lives free from violence and are active participants and leaders in their society Country Goal 4: Disaster affected people have access to life saving humanitarian assistance and are more resilient to shocks. All of the programs will have women s rights at the centre, and staff and partners will be supported to achieve this. Oxfam will build on its track record of supporting local communities, and especially in promoting equal partnerships with local organisations, providing technical and financial support and training, and in ensuring that government policies and practices favour the poorest. The post of LR Program Manager will lead on goal 2 of the OCS 2015-2020 and will be responsible for the development of the program and the assembling of the resources (human and other) necessary for its delivery. OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering. TEAM PURPOSE: The LR programme team is responsible for the realisation of Oxfam s aspiration through implementation of Goal 2 of the Country Program as articulated in the OCS, and provision of leadership for understanding and programming on how livelihoods resilience relates to other country programs. JOB PURPOSE: To lead and manage the Livelihoods Resilience Program in Malawi REPORTING LINES: Post holder reports to: Deputy Country Director- Malawi Staff reporting to this post: TBA
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: TBA KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Thought Leadership Working within Oxfam in Malawi s OCS, and specifically the LR program, provide facilitative leadership in this area, develop delivery strategy, help prioritise key activities and issues, identify and coordinate the local to regional to continental to global interface and provide strategic guidance on how best to achieve long term impact and sustainable change Anticipate, analyse and make recommendations on complex and diverse policy issues that impact on the Livelihoods of poor people, especially women and young people in Malawi Adopt a thought leadership attitude, stay up to date with the latest thinking, undertake/commission organised research and analysis and spend time in reflective consideration to develop a comprehensive understanding of poverty, agriculture, land, and market access and the issues that influence them Ensure all analysis, information and recommendations relating to policy and programs are to be specifically informed by the critical consideration of Women s Rights, as well as a range of other important impact areas, including climate change, disaster risk reduction, and chronic food insecurity. Build strong connections with Oxfam s humanitarian work Actively participate in the country, regional and global development environment to both identify opportunities to impact poverty reduction and to foster strategic institutional linkages, alliances and networks that enhance sharing, learning and collaboration Synthesise data and information to share with relevant staff so they are kept fully informed and ensure there is an effective discussion and dialogue process to channel ideas and information on how changing internal and external ideas, approaches and situations impact on and should be incorporated into Oxfam s strategies, programs and plans to achieve LR goal Working in collaboration with partners regularly define research agenda for the Livelihoods Resilience program, facilitate research, develop policy positions and facilitate and promote national debate on the state of the sector, through effective mobilisation of Oxfam s capabilities at different levels. Program Support and Facilitation Lead the development and implementation of LR annual plans that contribute to departmental strategy and can involve collaboration with other departments. In collaboration with the Media and Communications Coordinator, develop a Media and Communication Plan for the LR Program In collaboration with the MEAL Coordinator, ensure development of a MEAL framework and plan for the LR Program Develop a risk management plan for the program Work in an interactive and coordinated manner with the other Program Managers and identify and encourage synergies within and across programmes to achieve an integrated approach that supports the overall country strategy as far as practical, Develop a comprehensive understanding of Oxfam s partnership approach, adopting a strategic, proactive perspective on how to achieve partner led approaches to achieve sustainable change Support identification, assessment and relationship-building with potential partners (operational, strategic and alliance-based), ensuring appropriate standards and relevant approaches are used for each partner arrangement, including assessing partner needs and creating appropriate capacity building plans, detailing tools and methodologies, performance and accountability requirements and evaluation approaches Undertake regular monitoring to continually assess LR performance and delivery against agreed program results and recommend action to ensure delivery is achieved according to donor contracts. Take responsibility for ensuring that programme monitoring results are used actively to inform programme design and delivery, and that lessons learned are captured and shared. Maintain awareness of the perception of Oxfam s reputation on LR programming and delivery in Malawi and recommend appropriate action to ensure that it remains respected and credible. Adhere to all Oxfam project implementation requirements and standards, in relation to management, purchasing, HR, finance, project cycle management, programme quality, programme learning etc Be an active member of the Program Leadership Team Meetings, and provide strategic input in Program processes.
Convening, influencing, networking and coalition building Lead in developing and implementation of an Influencing strategy in Livelihoods Resilience Program Lead the process of developing and building Civil Society movement around livelihood resilience for people, especially women and youth in poverty, identifying key organisations, supporting with organisational development, defining their needs and building capacities to align with the new program delivery approach. Mobilise stakeholders by providing them with research capacity, campaigning skills, creating spaces for engagement, supporting the development of evidence on the ground and building active citizens in livelihoods work linking to regional and global work. Actively work towards convening and building movements around priority LR influencing issues as articulated in the 2015-2016 LR Program strategy, and seeking to work at multiple levels, nationally, regionally, continentally and globally, capitalising on Confederation linkages, coalitions and partners Develop and facilitate links with strategic collaborators; donors, civil society (including the academia, research institutions, media), the private sector and governments, initiating contacts and building associations that can be used to develop initiatives that have a pro-poor focus in livelihoods. Develop Oxfam initiated platforms to share innovations in Livelihoods Resilience work. Develop policy papers and policy positions on Livelihoods Resilience with intention of wider influencing practice and policy in the sector, ensuring that the voices of farmers are heard and their confidence and competency in participating in the policy debate is enhanced Ensure Oxfam s effective representation and participation in relevant LR fora. Develop and share reports on any representation role undertaken Relationship Management with Oxfam partners and collaborators Working collaboratively with the MEAL Coordinator, oversee development and implementation of a detailed plan for building the capacity of partner organisations, in line with aspirations of the OCS. This will include needs assessment, capacity building approach and delivery plan including tools and methodologies, performance standards, and evaluation approach Ensure the LR staff comprehensive understanding of Oxfam s partnership approach, adopting a strategic, proactive perspective on how to achieve partner led approaches to achieve sustainable change Responsible for upward reporting to senior management through DCD on LR Program fulfilment of partnership management framework and ensure implementation of Senior Management decisions on partnerships. Support management of LR partner relationships with the objective of making the partner organisations viable, independent and self sustaining, capable of running themselves effectively in all organisational areas (including board management, good governance, staff management and financial standards) as well as in providing their specialist technical services to the community. Resource Mobilisation and management Develop fundraising plans for the LR program in line with the Country Funding strategy Lead engaging with theme donors, monitoring funding opportunities and responding to these opportunities with approved concepts notes/proposals, under the guidance of DCD and the Funding Manager. Participate in fundraising activities, through the development of fundable concepts (at all levels) and by assisting in the development of donor proposals, budget submissions and other necessary activities to meet Program specific funding target and pipeline target Manage the LR Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) and oversee its associated projects ensuring all OPAL requirements are met, and donor and other reports are done on time and to a high quality. Be responsible for the financial management of the LR Program ensuring that all Oxfam systems are adhered to. Effectively manage allocated budgets by carrying out regular financial monitoring to ensure progress on spend according to the programme needs and engage with the Finance Manager to resolve any issues in a timely manner. Provide regular information, briefings and reports on program activities to the DCD and others as required People Management and team leadership Take responsibility for the recruitment and development of the core team that will deliver the LR program, as well as any Project funded staff that will work with the team Be responsible for ensuring that all staff working in the LR Team and the processes associated with them (HR life cycle from pre recruitment to the separation process) are in accordance with Oxfam s policies and procedures, including but not limited to the Code of Conduct, Performance Management, Security, Health and Safety and local legislation.
Ensure that staff that s/he line manages are exposed to personal development opportunities for learning and sharing and that robust performance and talent management systems are in place Build and maintain an inspired and motivated team in LR Program. Manage staff, consultants and researchers as required recruited under the LR, in accordance with Oxfam policy and procedures Behavioural and workplace competencies required # Competency Description 1 Drive to achieve Getting the job finished results Ensuring the job is done the best way possible Time and cost effective Meet targets 2 Organisational awareness Understanding the zeitgeist of the organisation, and in particular Vision2020 Internalising and championing Oxfam Connect Contributing to the broader effectiveness of Oxfam in Zambia 3 Knowledge management Bringing together different strands of information, and from different sources Sharing relevant information with others 4 Critical information gathering Selecting the information essential to a specific situation 5 Managing emotions Controlling personal feelings and emotions in a constructive fashion 6 Self awareness Being aware of own limitations and strengths and the impact one s personality has on other people 7 Respect for others Understanding others and respecting differences 8 Developing others Taking deliberate action to help others do their job better and progress their personal learning Giving honest performance feedback Sharing knowledge and experience generously 9 Facilitating change Encouraging others to seek out and act upon opportunities for 10 Support and promote women s rights Skills: new and different ways of doing things and solving problems Understand that the promotion of women s rights lies at the heart of all that Oxfam does and takes specific action to promote women s rights in their area of work Ability to engage and influence both corporate direction, contributing to and following it as appropriate and the ongoing development of programme policy and quality to enhance the impact of Oxfam s work Demonstrable skills and experience in convening, facilitating coalition building, and networking Ability to build and/ or contribute to a people s movement around Women s Rights Proven analytical and conceptual thinking, high level research, project management knowledge and skills and experience using participatory tools and methodologies for assessment, programme identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge and experience of implementing Livelihoods programs and initiatives, in both development and humanitarian program operations, ideally built on mature understanding of relevant issues derived from field experience Strong program management and quality knowledge, with ability to ensure consistent quality against standards and to implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems to assess and adjust performance Commitment to and good knowledge of working with networks, coalitions and a partnership approach across the spectrum of Oxfam s work, including innovative approaches to capacity strengthening Good knowledge of and experience in developing advocacy and campaign strategies and plans and successfully achieving external impact and change. Some experience in undertaking media presentations Good knowledge of and experience with donor funding environment and good financial management skills, with experience of project budgeting and controlling financial risks
Experience in working with multi-sectoral teams at different levels. Experience: Proven management experience at a strategic level in a complex, dispersed organisation with evidence of leading, facilitating and integrating a specific area of expertise across a wide network, providing clarity and focus of vision and impact, strategic planning and decision making and the delivery of agreed results Excellent knowledge of the Malawian environment and issues, supported by personal exposure Politically astute, with high impact influencing and persuasive skills and personal gravitas to gain respect and build and maintain strong, credible relationships, with internal and external stakeholders at all levels Strong organisational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritise work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and adjust to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English A high level of self-awareness, initiative, sound judgement, personal energy and flexibility Minimum qualifications: Relevant academic qualifications, preferably in rural development, agriculture, international development, economics, especially at post-graduate level.