Senior Program Manager

About Plan Canada

Imagine working for a leading international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that’s dedicated to creating a better world. That’s Plan, a global movement for change, mobilizing millions of people around the world to support social justice for children in developing countries. Founded in 1937 as Foster Parents Plan, we are one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, we have only one agenda: to improve the lives of children.

Plan Canada is part of a global network of offices in over 65 countries. Our busy Toronto-based office undertakes fundraising, donor engagement and public outreach, as well as overseeing a wide variety of field programs led by our International Program Department, which includes experts in Health, Education, Microfinance, Gender equity, Child Protection and Humanitarian Assistance. We have a dedicated, passionate and diverse team of over 140 employees who are committed to making a difference in the lives of children. Join us and plan to change the world.

Visit our website: www.plancanada.ca

Location:

The position is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with travel to Plan field offices.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director Program Management, the Senior Program Manager oversees a portfolio of grant funded projects and contributes to ongoing strengthening of internal systems to ensure effective implementation of quality programming and donor compliance.

The position is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with travel to Plan field offices.

Main Responsibilities:

  • Leading a small team of program and grants compliance professionals, ensures workloads are well balanced, roles and responsibilities are clear and a positive team environment is fostered.
  • Ensuring all grants in portfolio have start-up and subsequent annual workplans and corresponding budgets which are developed in a participatory manner with field colleagues as well as subject matter technical experts within the Program team. All workplans are developed within a results framework and receive appropriate donor approval.
  • Ensuring regular monitoring against workplans and that team is following process for timely identification and mitigation of potential risks to quality implementation.
  • Working with the Program Effectiveness team, ensure all grants in portfolio have a mechanism for regular monitoring and reporting of results including coordination of project evaluations and contributions to Plan’s knowledge management system.
  • Ensuring positive relationships maintained with Plan field offices and other partners.
  • Maintaining standard of excellence in all donor reporting and donor relationships.
  • Working with other Program Management colleagues to contribute to standardized quality and risk indicators for all grants.
  • Providing financial oversight to assigned grants portfolio including analysis, review and oversight of relevant budgets.
  • Organizing forums to share successes and program learnings with donors, partners and peers.
Skills/ Experience/ Qualifications
  • Proven success as a People Leader – teambuilding, mentoring, etc.
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic oversight role of a grants portfolio
  • Proven track record in international development project management including participatory planning, report writing and financial management
  • Solid understanding of compliance requirements of donor government agencies such as CIDA; multilateral agencies (UNICEF, World Bank, etc.) and charitable organizations / Foundations
  • Solid understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems within a results based management context (CIDA RBM preferred)
  • Exceptional communications skills both oral and written
  • Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including Plan field offices, donors, consultants and other partners
  • Excellent information gathering, assessment and presentation skills
Requirements
  • Post graduate degree in development or other relevant discipline
  • Minimum 10 years’ experience managing international development programs in Africa or Asia; some of which should have been gained overseas
  • Previous experience managing CIDA funded projects
  • Previous experience managing a team/staff
  • Solid understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems
  • Strong financial management skills
  • Fluent in oral and written English (French an asset)
  • Ability to build/maintain networks and working relationships with donors and partner organizations
  • Solid understanding of development issues in Africa and/or Asia
  • Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office and Internet
  • Ability to travel internationally frequently
  • Must be eligible to work in Canada
How to apply

To apply for this role please forward your resume and cover letter outlining your skills and experience, by August 3, 2012, to gethired@plancanada.ca. Please reference Senior Program Manager in the subject line.

Plan sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No Phone calls please.

Consistent with our Child Protection Policy the successful candidate must receive clearance by a police background check, including the vulnerable sector screen.