Head of Social and Economic Development Support Unit

Head of Social and Economic Development Support Unit

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Job Title:
Head of Social and Economic Development Support Unit (SEDU)

Reports to:
Director, Strategy, Advocacy and Learning

Direct reports:
 Agriculture Adviser
 Microfinance & Interaction with Markets Adviser
 Social Protection Adviser
 Education Adviser

Job Location:
52 – 55 Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2

Contract Details:
Two year fixed term contract
Pay Band: Pay Band 7: €55,118 - €67,275

Job Purpose:
To lead the development of organisational programmes in the areas of Food, Income and Markets as well as Education and manage a team of technical advisers to support the improvement of programme quality and to facilitate learning and innovation.

The post is needed to lead the strategies and development of the Food, Income and Markets (FIM or Livelihoods) and Education programmes which are two of Concern’s four main programme areas. The manager will lead the programmes at organisational level and manage technical support to these programmes. FIM on its own comprises about 45% of Concern’s work in overseas programmes. It comprises the key programmes and the critical overseas connection to the Hunger agenda which the organisation is focusing on in its advocacy and communications work. There is much work to do to get a sense of focus into the FIM programmes and to lead them to higher quality, greater learning and documentation of experience and evidence as well as to a more innovation-seeking approach. Learning and innovation remain key challenges also in Education, which is a more focused programme.

The new Social and Economic Development Unit will comprise a Head of SEDU and two or three FIM advisers as well as an Education Adviser.

Collaboration with colleagues in SAL, key staff in Overseas and country programmes is critical for success.

Main duties &  Responsibilities:
1. To develop and manage strategies and processes which support and contribute to high quality programmes in the areas of Food, Income and Markets and Education.
2. To contribute to organisational thinking and strategy in pursuit of Concern’s mission, especially to stimulate and support debate and reflection on what we are doing and how we are doing it.
3. To manage a team of professional and experienced technical staff to ensure that their work is effective at programme level and they are being developed and empowered.
4. To identify, develop and maintain key relationships with external actors in the areas of the post.
5. To develop and maintain strong relationships with the country programmes to ensure that technical support is appropriate and strategically used.
6. To support organisational goals through the facilitation of learning from and between our programmes as well as learning embracing other sectors and approaches.
7. To promote and support the strengthening of an evidence base in our programmes.
8. To support the development of the programmes through accessing new ideas and promoting innovation in line with Concern’s core mission and target group.

Person specification:
Essential:
• At least five years experience working in development programmes in developing countries and at least seven years in development.
• Experience in delivering technical assistance and strong understanding of key issues related to the role of technical assistance.
• Demonstrable ability to identify, support, distil, clearly articulate and share key knowledge and learning from programmes.
• Ability to manage high-level relationships at organisational and international level.
• Excellent people management and interpersonal skills, with an ability to effectively manage technical teams.
• Proven communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven high quality analytical skills and an understanding of research methods.
• Strong understanding of global poverty and development issues.
• A commitment to the vision, mission and values of Concern Worldwide including a strong commitment to humanitarian principles and practice.

Desirable:
• A post-graduate qualification in Development Economics or a relevant discipline.
• Experience of working in fragile states and have a balance of long-term and emergency or rehabilitation-related experience.
• Experience in publishing or facilitating the documentation of learning from field programmes.
• Understanding of change management in development organisations.
• Strong understanding of and an ability to engage with high quality research (institutions)
• Research experience acquired within a developing country.

Or any other criteria which we deem to be appropriate for the role.

To apply: All applications should be submitted through our website at www.concern.net/jobs  by closing date 23rd July 2010.

Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Ireland at the time of application.

Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct candidates acknowledge that they have understood the contents of both the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.

Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year. Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).

Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant. For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

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