Africa Program Manager – Right To Play

BACKGROUND:
Right To Play is a global organization, using the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps over one million children learn through play to create better futures, while operating in more than 20 countries each week. Founded in 2000 by social entrepreneur and four-time Olympic gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national fundraising offices in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Regional offices are in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 14,400 local volunteer Coaches.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Africa Program Manager reports directly to the Vice President Africa Programs and works closely with the International Programs Team at Headquarters in Toronto, Canada. The incumbent supports the leadership of the country teams in fulfilling the goals of Right To Play through development, planning and implementation of strategic and operational plans, field policies and strategies in the assigned region. He/she leads in identifying areas of program development and project interventions in line with the Regional Office strategic objectives and country plans; provides continuous support to personnel in the region to enhance program effectiveness and staff welfare.

In line with the Africa Programs’ strategic objectives and country plans, the Africa Program Manager oversees and ensures effective achievement of program goals and supports the Vice President in overall management of the Africa Office, Country Offices and project teams in the assigned region.

The Africa Program Manager will be based in Kampala, Uganda with between 16 – 20 weeks spent travelling to Right To Play program countries.

DIRECT REPORTEES:
The position provides overall leadership and guidance to the Africa Programs Team that includes an Education Specialist, Two Program Officers and a Training and Capacity Building Officer.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
In accordance with Right To Play (RTP) approved policies and procedures, the incumbent
Job Responsibility #1: Program design, development and management (40% of Time):
Provides leadership, guidance and support to the Africa Programs Team;
Guides country teams to develop and deepen programmatic thinking and design;
Supports the design of innovative programs that better address the needs of children and youth in the Africa region;
Guides country teams in the development of country strategic plans, annual plans, and proposals;
Ensures smooth implementation of project administration and logistics;
Works with project teams in the development of individual capacity of country staff and organizational capacity of local partners;
Liaises with the Africa General Manager in the development and implementation of monitoring, review, assessment and evaluation plans for improved program development and delivery;
Ensures the timely completion and submission of all project reports inclusive of monthly financial reports, quarterly reports, annual reports, and donor reports.
Collaborates with the General Manager to develop appropriate systems, tools and procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of education programs.
Job Responsibility #2: Field operations management (35% of Time):
Supports the Vice President, Africa Programs with implementation, standardization and strengthening of regional organizational and infrastructure capacity.
Prepares quarterly updates of program-related issues accross the Africa region.
Organizes, maintains and regularly updates files on country and project locations for all projects in the region.
Through regular project field visits, provides leadership and assistance for regional and country staff to ensure alignment with RTP and donor rules and regulations.
Oversees the planning, development, organization and coordination of regional program staff training, inclusive of induction and orientation, language training and other specialized staff trainings.
Job Responsibility #3: Field partnership development (15% of Time):
Assists in developing partnerships with regional donors and INGOs.
Supports the Vice President, Africa in coordination and information sharing with and across other
regional field teams.
Job Responsibility #4: Perform Other Duties (5% of Time):
Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION: Required (must have):
Master’s degree in international development, international business, political science or related
discipline.

LANGUAGES (must have):
Fluency in spoken and written English and French is required.
EXPERIENCE: Required (must have):
5 years’ experience in the management of international development projects including
designing projects and developing programs, developing and managing programmatic and
operational budgets, managing field operations and team leadership.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED (Must Have):
Understanding the concept of gender equality, child protection, sport for development and peace methodology
Understanding of financial report analysis
Ability to build new funding relationships and steward existing donor relationship
Knowledge and skill in managing and mentoring staff and providing technical support
Knowledge of the history of regional conflicts, adversity facing children and youth
Proven knowledge of budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data
Demonstrated computer skills especially in MS Office packages
Understanding of Human Rights and peace building concept
Understanding of laws and regulations that may affect the programs within the region

COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES (Must Have):
Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders
Demonstrated professionalism and diplomacy
Ability to confidently represent oneself and Right To Play to high level officials

Strategy planning skills
High level of interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
Ability to pragmatically solve problems and plan a course of action
Ability to identify and pursue opportunities to build and strengthen partnerships
Ability to multi-task and work under-pressure and in all situations
Ability to use innovation ways and best practices in conducting business

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
Ability to travel internationally is required
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package

Employment Start Date: Immediately

Contract Duration: Full time, contract position until September 2017 with possibility of extension

HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and one page motivational letter to: UgandaHR@righttoplay.com and kindly include “Africa Program Manager” and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Right To Play is a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory police record check as a condition of employment.

To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com.