Head of Programmes At REPSSI

REPSSI (the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) is a renowned pan African organisation that has been supporting governments and non-governmental organisations to provide holistic psychosocial care and support to children and their families in East and Southern Africa for 18 years now. REPSSI works in 13 countries and aims to enhance the psychosocial and mental wellbeing of girls, boys, youth their families and communities to be able to respond to challenges such as HIV and AIDS, conflict, poverty, climate change, environmental disasters and social strife.

REPSSI’s strategy is underpinned by four strategic outcomes:

1. Enhanced health, SRHR, and HIV outcomes for children, adolescents & mothers through MHPSS
2. Enhanced protection and sustainable livelihoods through MHPSS
3. Education and Early Childhood Development is enhanced through MHPSS
4. Disaster risk reduction and enhanced humanitarian response through MHPSS

Job Summary

REPSSI seeks to appoint an experienced Head of Programmes. The successful candidate will (a) operationalise the business strategy through the development and management of appropriate programmes and through the integration of findings from the M&E processes into the business design; and (b) develop and grow the business in line with organisational goals through development of strategic stakeholder relationships. The position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and provide overall guidance to the programmes department, including the M&E, humanitarian programmes and advocacy functions, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration across departments.
• Work closely with APSSI to ensure cross learning and collaboration between REPSSI programmes and APSSI research, resource development and academic programmes.
• Provide guidance and supervise country offices to implement the regional strategy; innovate new programmes and to consolidate REPSSI’s niche in MHPSS.
• Ensure that the REPSSI programme is adequately resourced with qualified staff; resources, tools and materials necessary to deliver our mission and strategic objectives.
• Manage partnerships with a range of partners, including research institutions, and potential consortium partners and work closely with the country directors and representatives to ensure that REPSSI is well presented in the sectors that we are active in.
• Ensure timely reporting, preparation of donor reports across all countries and projects and work closely with M&E to provide support to countries in this regard.
• Ensure sharing of knowledge and learning and innovation between countries to ensure that we are building a regional programme.
• Ensure that the programmes department conducts research, collects and analyses evidence and is able to make input into resources to guide programmes in REPSSI and to share with others.
• Work closely with the Strategic Business Development unit to identify funding opportunities and develop proposals for resource mobilization.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Public Health, Community Health or a development related field;
• 10 years plus working at a senior programme level;
• Able to operate at the highest decision level including SMT and Board;
• Technical leadership as well as proven ability to think analytically and plan strategically;
• Substantial knowledge, experience and understanding of development issues relevant to child care and protection in line with the global and regional frameworks and instruments;
• Strong people skills with the ability to manage, support and motivate a culturally diverse programme staff;
• Good judgment and ability to use initiative and make decisions in complex, challenging and sensitive situations;
• Extensive experience managing major donor relationships and networks;
• Keeping abreast of developments in the field and being informed of new approaches, engaging with webinars, conferences, and emerging issues regionally and globally;
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations), networking and influencing skills, and able to generate concept papers and write reports;
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

This is a 3-year contract position subject to availability of donor funding and good performance. Remuneration will be commensurate with skills and experience. REPSSI is committed to the principles of employment equity.

The successful candidate will based at the REPSSI office in any of our countries of operation.

Appointment will be subject to any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

How to apply

To apply, submit a one-page written motivation, CV and three work related referees with contact details, certified copies of identity document and qualifications to [email protected]