Job description
Date agreed by line manager:
Date agreed by HR:
Updated by HR:
Job title:
Interim Regional Programme Manager - SAFO
Reporting to:
Head of International Operations
Location:
Based in Lusaka with responsibility over 3 to 5 countries
Line management:
up to 4-8 direct reports
Department:
International Directorate
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To lead the strategic development and implementation of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s
(LCD’s) work and further LCD’s objectives to positively impact on the lives of disabled people
in Africa. This will be done through effectively managing partnerships, fundraising,
employees, programmes and risk. The role will also lead on promoting the work of LCD and
inclusive development to key stakeholders including governments, policy makers, donors and
partners and lead on influencing initiatives with key actors in Africa.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
 Strategic Planning & implementation- contribute to the overall development of the
international strategic planning process, leading on the development and
implementation of a regional strategic plan to ensure deliver of LCD’s key objectives.
 International leadership team – as a member of the international leadership team,
contribute to the achievements and learning across the programme; manage crossregional programmes (where appropriate).
 External Analysis and Influencing - plan and lead the strategy for raising the profile of
LCD regionally, promoting our work and networking with key stakeholders including the
AU and the EAC. Promote and facilitate communication and information exchange on
disability and development issues within the region and beyond.
 Global Alliance - Work closely with Cheshire Organisations in the region to establish
appropriate systems of communication with the Regional council, and Cheshire services
in the region. Build the capacity of National Councils, support the development of
their services and the establishment of new services or initiatives in LCD’s key
thematic areas.
Resource Mobilisation
 Lead on resource mobilization and securing funding for the countries of operations,
meeting the annual set target.
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Work with international fundraising team and others to identify key donors at country
and regional level, ensuring engagement/relationship building and the promotion of
LCD’s work.
Develop and maintain a funding plan to increase and diversify LCD international’s
external funding base. Support efforts to ensure more sustainable financial models for
programmes including clear cost recovery approaches.
Programming
 Partnership development – manage and coach programme employees to develop
positive and mutually beneficial relationships with key partners in the region. Ensure a
robust system is in place for monitoring, evaluating and supporting partners.
 Programme development and delivery – manage the LCD regional programme by
ensuring application of the strategy to local context and manage/coach the programme
team to implement and deliver high quality and innovative programmes. Ensure that
all projects and activities are managed so that they produce the contracted outcomes
within the timeframe and within budget.
 Clear M&E strategies are in place across the programme and project activities, and
support learning within and across the region and globally.
 Sustainability / exit strategies– seeking to build in clear sustainability and exit
strategies into the project and programme work from the outset and work closely with
relevant stakeholders at local, national and regional levels.
Financial and Risk Management
 Accountable for budget, resources and assets, working with the Finance and
Administration Manager to ensure financial controls and cost effectiveness are
paramount and that finances are managed within financial management policies.
 Be accountable for full compliance with donor contracts for overseen countries,
including all terms and conditions and reporting requirements, ensuring that
programme staff is well briefed and familiar with contractual requirements for every
project they manage and are able to effectively liaise with financial and programme
support staff in order to comply with donor accounting, staffing, purchasing and any
other requirements.
 Internal Reporting – annual work plans, quarterly and annual reports. Ensure that
management systems are in place and that there is compliance with LCD’s policies and
procedures.
 Governance and Compliance – ensure legal compliance in all areas, including office
registration, tax, employment law, health and safety, insurance, partnership contracts,
procurement and internal requirements.
 Risk Management – fully accountable at regional level for identifying risks and ensuring
plans and monitoring processes are in place to minimise the impact.
People Management
 Recruitment and Selection – lead on the process and coach employees to ensure good
decision making and compliance with LCD’s policies and procedures.
 Performance Management and Learning and Development – effectively lead, develop
and coach the team within the performance management framework
 Change management and engagement – ensure ways of working and behaviours are in
line with LCD’s values, policies and procedures.
 Employee relations – ensure that all employees are managed in line with LCD’s policies
and procedure and that local laws are respected and upheld.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
 Educated to a post degree level in a relevant qualification
 Extensive proven expertise in leading on fundraising, including seeking and securing
new donors, successful grants acquisition of significant size, management of large and
complex grants.
 Extensive expertise in developing and implementing international development
programmes and of analysing and responding to external trends in the sector.
 Proven expertise of managing donors and contracts and the implications for programme
management
 Proven expertise to successfully establish partnerships and influence key
people/donors/bodies/governments at all levels
 Proven leadership skills and experience of line managing complex and diverse teams,
experience of managing change and leading people through it.
 Substantial experience of financial management of large budgets
 Ability to travel extensively across countries of operations in addition to some travel to
the other parts of Africa and beyond
Desirable requirements
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Practical experience of applying development and or disability issues at a project or
community level coupled with impact assessment and evaluation of disability
programmes and social change
Experience of organisational development and building the capacity of local partners
Experience of developing and implementing advocacy and policy strategies
Knowledge of the UNCRPD
Technical competencies
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Experience of working in one of LCD’s thematic areas, inclusive education, livelihoods,
advocacy and campaigns for the rights of disabled people
Expertise in poverty alleviation strategies and programmes
Knowledge and experience of developing large funding proposals and establish donor
relations.
An excellent communicator with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
Able to build strong working relationships with external parties.
Experience in design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation processes
Good IT skills