Senior Manager

Senior Manager – Partnerships

The Opportunity

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Bhutan and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and future we share. Save the Children expects that anyone associated with it abides by its Safeguarding and other Zero Tolerance Policies.

The Senior Manager – Partnerships, under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director, will work closely with the Thematic Advisors/ Specialist and other Departments. The position is the focal point for all Partnership-related work and is responsible for ensuring quality delivery of Save the Children’s projects managed out of the Country Office. The position holder will provide guidance and management support to different program managers/budget holders in ensuring adherence to SCI’s partnership principles as well as support and coordinate with other departments for the quality delivery of the projects, project cycle management and delivery of the partnership strategy and plans. This is a key position for SC Nepal, working together with stakeholders and partners across the country program to coordinate, support and monitor the successful implementation of the Partnership strategy as per the Country Strategy Plan.

The position holder will ensure high quality and result oriented outcomes of projects through management of partnerships.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Partnership Management

• Lead the development of CO partnership framework (aligning with localization strategy) to support establishing a common approach to partnerships across the sectors and programs for long-term strategic partnerships.
• Ensure that the implementing partners are strengthening their capacity through the development of approaches, systems and processes that allows for partner’s ownership and accountability of their organizational development.
• Continuously review the standard SCI processes and practices to further improve the partnership management practices of the CO.
• Increase partners’ participation in Save the Children’s program/project design, strategy development.
• Lead on developing partnership policy, strategy, implementation model (in reference to Nepal Partner Graduation/Progression
• Model), and carry out rolling out of strategies, policies, and standards of Save the Children in close coordination with field offices and other departments at CO.
• Ensure that a systemic approach is in place for the implementation of the Partner Graduation/Progression Model including staff capacity, awareness and buy ins
• Work with Head of Field Program Operations, Humanitarian Focal Point, and Awards to ensure that partners selected for humanitarian and localization programmes are assessed as per SCI Partner assessment process (including Safer
• Partnership/programming Tool) and embedding the capacity building strategies.
• Coordinate and facilitate in identifying Strategic Partners, networks and work closely with them to ensure SCI essence of partnerships is always on top in all our initiatives
• Ensure smooth management of partnerships and that all processes are aligned with issued government standards and regulations (including selection and phase out).
• Ensure that issues related to partner NGOs are flagged and followed up and closed appropriately and on time.
• Coordinate with different departments/units (Program Development and Quality, Finance, Awards, Internal Control and Compliance) to ensure that partner related risks are identified well in time and that partners are fully supported to ensure technical and organizational capacities are in place.
• Contribute in developing partners’ capacity development plan (OCD) and coordinate with relevant departments to ensure that they are providing adequate support in its implementation.
• Liaise with SCI and SCI member countries’ partnership teams, localization focal points to ensure SCI mandatory tools, procedures have been applied by CO/partners, required information or reports regarding partnerships have been delivered on time.
• Provide oversight and shepherd the organization’s Partnership Strategy and ensure strategy is reviewed to be relevant in every strategic period.
• Develop high impact partnership through the development of a multi-stakeholder platform, shared agenda for collective action, and co-creation process.
• Ensure proposed partner programming and partnership approach is guided by the CO Strategy (Partnership approach & Graduation Model)
• Advise Country Office & Field Offices on partnership operational modules tailored to specific contexts (i.e. remote management)
• Support CO to actively engage partners in strategic planning processes
• Facilitate partner consultations to monitor and assess the effectiveness of partnerships
• Ensure that all departments and functions are aware of SCI Partnership standards and any respective changes.

Quality oversight / Resource management

• Responsible for the coordination and oversight of data, financial, and informational resources at the project or program level.
• Ensure that there is an effective system for monitoring, data collection, analysis, and evaluation of partnership and that there is a high level of project staff capacity in partnership management.
• Ensure tight financial oversight of project budgets while maintaining timely expenditure in line with agreed priorities and donor guidelines.
• Build the capacity of staff in programme management, technical competency, and policy as per requirement.
• Ensure that regular programme review program monitoring takes place as scheduled and that relevant findings are responded in a timely manner and or/ incorporated into programming by the responsible teams.
• Ensure with logistics team that annual logistic/ procurement plan of projects, partners are available and implemented accordingly.
• Coordinate with and between different themes to ensure that partnership strategies is built in the project.

Programme Development

• Ensure partnership strategies in new funding proposals are in line with the CO Strategy with an Assessment of their current partner portfolio, evaluation of partners, identification of strategic partners, advise on / develop best practices for longer term partnership with strategic partners; and provide input on the design of funding proposals that have a strong focus on programming with partners and/or civil society capacity strengthening. Lead the partner scoping exercise in close coordination with thematic advisors and cross functions to ensure potential partners are mapped
• Work closely with New Business Development, Awards, and Thematic staff during the project proposal development phase to identify the right partners.

Representation and Networking

• Build strong networks with other NGOs, CSOs, UN agencies and Government line agencies working on children’s issues to promote coordination and learning sharing both at national and regional level.

Documentation & Reporting

• Ensure effective monitoring and documentation of program activities; ensure programmatic and financial accountability in the use of funds and achievement of annual and CSP targets.
• Lead the documentation and reporting of the development and implementation of the Partner Graduation Model.
• Represent SC Nepal and present on the localisation and partnership initiatives.
• Coordinate with Advocacy, Media, and Communication and PDQ departments to ensure documentation of best practices, and case studies of projects, partnerships and localisation initiatives.

The post-holder will comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding, safety and security, code of conduct, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies. The position holder will be required to support the DCD_Program Operations as and when required in relevant program operations related work.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in management, social sciences, development studies or relevant subjects.
• At least seven years of senior management experience preferably in an I/NGO environment, including experience in directing and implementing programs for children.
• Demonstrated significant experience in managing projects funded by multiple donors.
• Prior experience in working with NGOs and government staff.
• Proven sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and be innovative, set priorities, manage work plans, and evaluate progress. Good report writing skill.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.

Required No.(s): 1 (Nepalese Citizen Only)

Contract length: Fixed Term

Location: Country Office

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, 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 workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

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

Job Identification: 12593

Job Category: Programme Operations
Apply Before: 05/16/2025, 11:59 PM
Locations: CO – Kathmandu