Team and Job Purpose

The Programme Risk, Delivery and Performance team ensures that programme risks are systematically assessed, mitigated, and monitored in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, through regional business partners, the team provides the first line of support to Country Offices, ensuring that programmes are delivered on time, with quality, and within budget, in accordance with the project management methodology (PMM). The team enhances programme delivery and performance by using relevant metrics, including those from the PRIME system, to guide decision-making and maintain accountability.

Role purpose

To provide continuous and consistent operational support to Country (and National Offices) in order to ensure the delivery of high-quality programmes, fostering and inclusive and collaborative environment aligned with Save the Children International’s values of accountability and integrity. By guiding and supporting programme operations, the Senior Operations Advisor contributes significantly to the global impact and sustainability of our organisation’s mission.

Job Title: Senior Programme Operations Advisor, ESA

Reports To: Senior Lead, Programme Operations Africa

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available

Contract Length: Permanent

Location: Any existing SCI office location in the ESA Region. 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): ESA Time Zones

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 20%

Principal Accountabilities

• Identify, escalate and support the management of operational issues and risks support in our programmes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality programming for children, in all contexts, where necessary.
• Provide capability-strengthening, coaching and mentoring to Countries (and National Offices) where needed.
• Contribute to the roll-out of relevant Quality Standards, policies, procedures and guidance.
• Monitor and analyse management data including the QSSA, IP Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), IPMI and/or Right First Time to inform decision-making, support implementers in identifying and auctioning improvements, and inform allocation of support.
• Establish peer relationships with country and national offices in region(s) and act upon their pain points.
• Document, communicate successes and lessons learned within the operations community.

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Substantive experience in programme operations support, preferably within a humanitarian or development sector context, with in depth knowledge of the ESA region.
• Proven track record of capability strengthening, coaching, and mentoring with evidence of impact on improved performance.
• Strong skills and experience in operational data monitoring and analysis, utilising tools such as Quality Standards Self-Assessment (QSSA), KPIs, Right First Time and IPMI to enhance decision-making and support operational improvements.
• Substantial experience advocating for operational staff, representing their views, and driving improvements in global forums, working groups, and initiatives.
• Relationship Buildering: Experience in building and managing effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including senior management, country operations staff, and external partners, demonstrating a commitment to accountability and integrity.
• Collaboration: Demonstrable capability to work with country operational teams and respond to their needs, valuing varied perspectives and promoting inclusive practices.
• Risk Management: Proficient in identifying, managing, and mitigating operational risks.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to different audiences.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to synthesise complex information, evaluate options, and develop holistic solutions.
• Problem-Solving: Creative thinking with a strong ability to address operational challenges and implement solutions.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree: In Social Sciences, International Development, Business Administration, or a related field is essential. Relevant advanced degrees such as a Master’s in related fields would be advantageous.

Desirable

• Project Management Certification: Recognised certifications such as PRINCE2, PMP, or equivalent are desirable.
• Qualified Trainer: Certification in training, coaching, or mentoring is desirable, demonstrating a commitment to developing others.

• Identify, escalate and support the management of operational issues and risks support in our programmes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality programming for children, in all contexts, where necessary.
• Provide capability-strengthening, coaching and mentoring to Countries (and National Offices) where needed.
• Contribute to the roll-out of relevant Quality Standards, policies, procedures and guidance.
• Monitor and analyse management data including the QSSA, IP Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), IPMI and/or Right First Time to inform decision-making, support implementers in identifying and auctioning improvements, and inform allocation of support.
• Establish peer relationships with country and national offices in region(s) and act upon their pain points.
• Document, communicate successes and lessons learned within the operations community.

• Substantive experience in programme operations support, preferably within a humanitarian or development sector context, with in depth knowledge of the ESA region.
• Proven track record of capability strengthening, coaching, and mentoring with evidence of impact on improved performance.
• Strong skills and experience in operational data monitoring and analysis, utilising tools such as Quality Standards Self-Assessment (QSSA), KPIs, Right First Time and IPMI to enhance decision-making and support operational improvements.
• Substantial experience advocating for operational staff, representing their views, and driving improvements in global forums, working groups, and initiatives.
• Relationship Buildering: Experience in building and managing effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including senior management, country operations staff, and external partners, demonstrating a commitment to accountability and integrity.
• Collaboration: Demonstrable capability to work with country operational teams and respond to their needs, valuing varied perspectives and promoting inclusive practices.
• Risk Management: Proficient in identifying, managing, and mitigating operational risks.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to different audiences.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to synthesise complex information, evaluate options, and develop holistic solutions.
• Problem-Solving: Creative thinking with a strong ability to address operational challenges and implement solutions.

• Bachelor’s Degree: In Social Sciences, International Development, Business Administration, or a related field is essential. Relevant advanced degrees such as a Master’s in related fields would be advantageous.
• Project Management Certification: Recognised certifications such as PRINCE2, PMP, or equivalent are desirable.
• Qualified Trainer: Certification in training, coaching, or mentoring is desirable, demonstrating a commitment to developing others.