Senior Programme Director, Conflict & Stabilisation Practice

Please note this will be a 12 month FTC. Chemonics' Conflict & Stabilisation practice currently includes five UK-contracted programmes across Yemen, Ukraine, as well as a cross-border conflict research programme. Themes covered include stabilisation, peacebuilding, early recovery, community safety, economic resilience, transitional justice, security sector reform, and counter foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

The Senior Programme Director will be Programme Director for at least one C&S programme, likely in Ukraine. This will take up 40-50% of their time and involve supervising the Team Leader, ensuring donor satisfaction, providing senior-level project leadership and management, and taking responsibility across technical, commercial, risk and human resources. The remainder of the time will be spent contributing to the Conflict and Stabilisation Practice by supporting on design and delivery of the C&S practice strategy, new business development, and thought leadership.

• Programme Leadership/Management, and Backstopping

• Programme Director for at least one C&S programme, inclusive of one in Ukraine. Supervises Team leader(s) and provides coverage as necessary.
• Regular weekly Team Leader check-ins; providing ad hoc guidance and direction as required.
• Regular checks-ins with Senior Programme Manager/Programme Manager(s) (PM) for programme(s) for which they are Programme Director.
• Providing senior corporate oversight of the programme.

• Point of escalation for FCDO/other clients to discuss sensitive issues or escalation of issues.
• Conducts quarterly client consultation meetings; and addresses any feedback.
• Prepares for annual reviews with Team Leader and FCDO/other client.

• Engaged in technical review of key programmatic and technical deliverables.
• May conduct specific short-term technical assignments on programmes as required.

• Ensures team and processes in place on programme(s) so that forecasting is as accurate as possible and commercial targets are achieved.

• Works with Senior Programme Manager and Team Leader to ensure required resources for the programme.
• Participates in recruitment panel interviews, provides final recommendations for critical positions.

• Works with Team leader and Senior Programme Manager on any performance or quality issues with subcontractors.

• Ensures security plans are in place and adequately resourced for all programmes they oversee.

• Contributes to the C&S practice strategy and its delivery.

• Leads ‘captures’ to identify and position early for bids and/or developing concept notes.

We are particularly interested with people with experience and interest in the wider Middle East (Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories/Israel); Sudan/Ethiopia/Horn of Africa; Pakistan; Nigeria; and Western Balkans. Experience managing or leading programmes in C&S relevant technical areas. Recognised by others as an experienced international development practitioner in at least one relevant technical area; contributes consistently to mentoring staff.

High levels of leadership, management, organisational, and decision-making skills and proven experience. Demonstrated progressive professional experience, including positions requiring supervision and mentorship of multiple staff; and operating at advanced levels of authority with oversight of significant activities, budgets, and resources.

Experience of overseeing CSSF/ISF programmes is highly desired; experience working on proposals and projects for European donors is an advantage.

Ability to draw on experience and soft skills to effectively manage clients; balancing corporate, client, and programme needs. Strong commercial skills. Demonstrated experience solving complex technical, managerial, commercial/financial and operational problems and evaluating options based on relevant information, resources, well-rounded experience, and knowledge.

Fluency in and demonstrated application of financial and project management systems. Experience conceptualising, directing and ensuring high quality standard for the research and writing of technical documents (reports, proposals etc). Leads effective meetings and has demonstrable written and oral presentation skills.

Demonstrated experience managing and supervising staff or several project teams and new business efforts; demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrity. Previous experience living or conducting work in developing countries; FCAS preferred. Works effectively both independently and as part of a team. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Foreign language proficiency in a relevant region we operate in preferred. Willingness to travel and work abroad for a total of up to 3 months per year. Ability to comply with corporate and client codes of conduct.