Head of technical services

Background

For over 90 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children’s lives in more than 120 countries. Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights organisation. From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health, education and protection.

Save the Children Australia operate in Australia delivering domestic programs and in the Pacific region, including Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste. They also support programs in Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somali, Sudan, Pakistan and Indonesia.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity organisation dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

About the role

A senior role within the Programs and Humanitarian Response team, the Head of Technical Services (HTS) works to define strategic direction and ensure access to high quality technical expertise in domestic and internationally-funded programs. The position operates in collaboration to strengthen the technical quality of Save the Children programs and the capacity of staff to implement high quality programs.

Working across the technical areas of Child Protection, Disaster Risk Reduction / Climate Change Adaptation, Education, Health, Nutrition and Monitoring and Evaluation, the General Manager Technical Services will provide leadership to the group to coordinate and drive technical input and oversight in program planning and design.

A key area for success for this role will be the interface and representation of Save the Children Australia to Save the Children International (SCI), other Save the Children members and external forums, ensuring that SCA is positioned as a highly credible member and provider of specialist technical services.

Reporting to the Director Programs and Humanitarian Response, this role works in close collaboration with Directors, Country Directors and State Managers.

Key result areas and responsibilites

Technical unit management

• Manage and coordinate the work of the SCA technical unit ensuring links across the humanitarian and development teams, including in:
- Child Protection
- Disaster Risk Reduction / Climate Change Adaptation
- Education
- Health
- Nutrition
• Monitoring and Evaluation Manage the process of Technical Assistance brokerage including access to and provision of technical resources in support of SCA/SCI projects and services
• Coordinate and drive technical input to funding concept notes and proposals.
• Coordinate technical unit monitoring and evaluation of grants to ensure the delivery of quality programs in accordance with donor obligations
• Work with operations and in-country staff to develop and report on meeting monitoring and evaluation standards, incorporating Total Reach, which are aligned with the SCI Global Initiatives

Leadership and human resource management

• Lead the Technical team to ensure all activities are aligned with the Strategic Plan
• Facilitate a working environment that is considerate for the retention, recruitment and management of staff, in line with national HR guidelines and values
• Manage staff member performance, including performance appraisal, coaching and professional development, in line with national Human Resource guidelines
• Ensure the effective appointment, training, capacity building, deployment, management support for, and performance monitoring of technical field staff by country teams.

Relationship management and representation

• Build Save the Children Australia’s external profile within Australia and internationally.
• Build effective working relationships with relevant decision-makers in government, and among partners, donors, SCI members and country offices and key international organisation’s affecting the realisation of children’s rights
• Represent Save the Children Australia in SCI and external forums ensuring that SCA is positioned as a highly credible member and provider of specialist technical services
• Act as the interface for SCI and SC members around the SC Global Initiatives

Person specification

Key Selection Criteria Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership skills across a range of diverse stakeholders in a complex environment.
• Proven project management skills.
• Demonstrated financial management skills.
• Demonstrated strategic planning skills.
• Proven contract management skills.
• Ability to influence & negotiate a range of diverse stakeholders.
• Proven proposal development ability.
• Ability to influence & negotiate a range of diverse stakeholders.
• Rapport building, networking & relationship building abilities.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge/Experience

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience.
• Extensive demonstrated experience in designing, developing and managing development projects in an international context.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring project implementation, technically and financially.
• Demonstrated experience developing proposals and securing donor funds.
• Sound understanding and experience of the child rights approach to development.
• Experience working with and securing funds from a range of international donors, including AusAID.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification/s in relevant & related discipline.

Personal Behaviours & Attributes

• Commitment to Save the Children’s purpose and values.
• Initiative, flexibility and ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Strong desire to build the capacity & capability of a team.
• High levels of self-motivation and initiative. Ownership and accountability of one’s work.
• High levels of confidentiality and integrity (relating to both data and verbal communication).

Additional Information

• Any offer of employment at Save the Children Australia will be subject to a satisfactory National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check, where applicable.
• Employees must sign onto Save the Children Australia’s Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Some intrastate, interstate and international travel may be required in this position.
• Some out of hours work may be required in this position.
• Ongoing performance & employment will be measured against KPI’s, values and demonstrated behaviours outlined above.