Programme Funding Quality Enablement Lead

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Programme Funding Quality Enablement Lead to join our global team.

Team and Job Purpose

To provide strategic leadership and direction on all Programme Funding matters across Save the Children. Optimise and align our local-to-global programme funding portfolio and drive continuous improvements in our capabilities, funding practices and donor partnerships. Blend art and science to turn insights into action.  Collaborate extensively across the movement, and partner closely with key stakeholders, both within and beyond StC, to directly inform, shape, and connect key strategic programme funding trends and initiatives that advance the movement's Global Strategy and Global Funding Framework ambitions.

Role purpose

To lead a dynamic portfolio of business critical change projects and programme funding quality enablementinitatives, to enable changes required to deliver upon Save the Children’s long term Programme Funding Strategy.  Drive operations improvement and process developments that help ensure the effective management and governance of Save the Children's evolving programme funding model.  As Save the Children reimagines the future and how to create impact for children, this role will be essential in building and driving changes to our Programme Funding approaches and standards to empower the movement to leverage Programme Fund effectively to create impact for children.

This position supports the enhancement of programme funding specific and wider related systems, processes, policies, and best practice tools required to adapt to new funding modalities, markets, and a changing ODA landscape. The role leads cross-functional collaboration and engagement with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts to shape, inform and change the future of global programme funding operations, contributing to extending our impact.  The ability to influence stakeholders and shape project design and to gain consensus and drive momentum in a complex environment is key.

Job Title: Programme Funding Quality Enablement Lead

Reports To: Global Head of Programme Funding Strategy, Governance & Risk

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available 

Contract Length: Permanent

Grade: P5

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location. 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):Any

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment. 

International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 5% 

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead a portfolio of business critical projects and quality enablement initiatives to ensure programme funding systems and models are fit for purpose to enable the movement’s long term programme funding strategy.
• Lead on operational improvements, updates to process and simplification to drive streamlined and efficient programme funding governance that balances opportunity with risk to create impact for children
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts to align programme funding initiatives with best practices and innovative solutions, driving strategic improvements and informed decision-making.
• Develop and enhance systems, processes, and policies to adapt to new funding modalities and markets, ensuring the organisation remains agile and responsive to global funding opportunities.
• Ensure the governance and compliance of programme funding activities by adhering to internal policies and external regulations, safeguarding the organisation’s integrity and accountability.
• Foster an inclusive and equitable work environment by actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the programme funding team, ensuring every team member feels valued and supported

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Considerable experience in managing change and transformation projects, particularly within the context of programme funding.
2. Extensive experience in providing expert advice on programme funding within the non-profit sector, with a focus upon governance and process improvement
3. Extensive experience in enhancing systems, processes, and policies related to programme funding to ensure agility and responsiveness to funding opportunities.
4. Experience in overseeing compliance with policies and regulations, ensuring the integrity of funding operations.
5. Experience of working in a programme funding or aligned team within the Save the Children movement is essential given the importance of this role to driving quality in our complex funding environment.

Desirable

• Expert hands-on experience in project management, particularly in change and transformation projects.
• Considerable Experience in collaborating with senior stakeholders to develop strategies and solutions that drive organizational improvement.

Essential Skills

1. Programme Funding Expertise: Demonstrable programme funding at scale, including understanding of the evolving ODA / donor landscape, key donor requirements, conditions and compliance, across traditional grant management, and emerging funding models and mechanisms.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Management: Proven ability in successfully engaging senior stakeholders in complex topics, driving conscensus and buy in to implement changes.
3. Project Management: Proficient in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, with the ability to lead change and transformation initiatives effectively.
4. Innovation: Creative problem-solving skills and a strong initiative to develop and implement innovative solutions.
5. Analytical Thinking: Capable of conducting in-depth analysis to inform decision-making and strategy development.

Desirable Skills:

• Compliance and Governance: High proficiency in developing and ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations, safeguarding the organization's integrity and accountability.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to various stakeholders.
• Influencing and working effectively with others - ability to influence cross-functional teams and gain senior stakeholder engagement in key initiatives
• Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment and to appreciate cultural differences.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Education: Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience - in International development, business administration, finance or a related field or a related field 
• Change Management Expertise: Knowledgeable in change management principles and methodologies, with experience of applying these in practice
• CPD: Commitment to continuous professional development to stay updated with the latest trends in change management, programme funding and business development is required.

Desirable

• Advanced Analytical Skills: Strong capability in interpreting financial and operational data to inform strategic decision-making.
• Governance and compliance Expertise: Strong  knowledge of compliance requirements and governance frameworks in the charitable sector, particularly in relation to funding and donors
• Multi-Language Proficiency: While English is essential, proficiency in other languages commonly used in SCI/A programme funding operations, such as French, Spanish or Arabic, is desirable.

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found here via the job listing. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our recruitment process:

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.