Senior Programs Manager

Job title: Senior Programs Manager

Location

Based in KVSS office, Surkhet, with frequent program site visits

Reports to

Managing Director, KVSS

Collaborates with Funding Partner’s Country Representative or Program Director

Direct reports to this Position

Head of Programs/All Program’s leads under KVSS

About Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj (KVSS)

“A world where every child is safe, educated, loved”

Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj (KVSS) established in 2007, is a non-governmental, apolitical, and not for profit organization. Our mission is to change the world by empowering Nepal's children. We do this by providing quality education, a safe environment, and through inspiring others while putting the children first, strengthening families and our communities. Most at-risk and disadvantaged children are provided with inclusive quality education at Kopila Valley School (KVS), one of the greenest schools in Nepal, made from the earth and nestled on a campus with a commitment to building sustainable programs. Along with lifelong gift education to the disadvantaged children, we support their family members to improve their living standards and make it sustainable through holistic programs ranging from children’s home, health and wellness through women empowerment to career guidance/counseling, and scholarships for further studies. Environmental sustainability is one of the guiding principles and a way of life whatever we do!

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Program Manager is one of the senior team members of Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj. This role is expected to lead the program team with professional rigor for the effective and efficient delivery of program goals, rallying the team toward collective achievement. As a member of the leadership team of the organization, this role will contribute to the overall development of the organization facilitating inter-team collaboration, and building a positive work culture. The Senior Program Manager is expected to work closely with the funding partner BlinkNow Foundation.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Planning and Program Goal Achievement: Leading program planning in line with the organization’s long-term strategy and ensures the goals are achieved.
2. Team Management and building collaboration: Managing program team including the direct supervision of the program leads and building collaboration for collective achievement.
3. Reporting and documentation: Documentation and reporting required for regular updates, and to fulfil the legal requirements.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Program Manager will be mainly responsible for overseeing the following areas of responsibility:

1. Planning and Program Goal Achievement: Leading program planning in line with the organization’s long-term strategy and ensures the goals are achieved.

• Lead the annual planning for each program in the Results based framework in line with the organization’s strategy and needs analysis.
• Make sure the program team delivers on the annual plans and also achieves the long term goals as per the strategy.
• Deeply understands and executes on the strategic plan and the program guides for all program areas, ensuring all programs are delivering the results on time.
• Communicates strategic vision to program leads and staff so that the program team becomes razor-focused on  achieving the strategic goals.
• Provide technical support and oversight to lead implementation and monitoring of projects in close coordination with the funding partner’s M&E Manager and other relevant representatives.

1. Team Management and building collaboration: Managing program team including the direct supervision of the program leads and building collaboration for collective achievement.

• Supervise and support the program leadership team on a day-to-day basis; provide  personal support and ensure professional rigor.
• Guide and support the program team to be innovative, problem solving resulting in effective and efficient program delivery.
• Conduct regular structured meetings and provide the team feedback for positive reinforcement and also for growth. Work with HR and line manager to develop the program team’s annual professional development plan, and execute the approved plans.
• Be a strategic face of the organization to build a talent pool, & get involved in the full HR cycle from hiring to termination when needed in coordination with the HR and the leadership team.

3. Reporting and documentation: Documentation and reporting required for regular updates, and to fulfil the legal requirements.

• Provide timely program reports to the funding partner coordinating with the KVSS leadership at an agreed frequency; this can be at a set frequency, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually and in the set format, or as needed for donor reporting.

• Prepare and submit the program reports required for governance and compliance perspective, such as for quadi-monthly government reports, for CPAC, and MPAC meetings.

• Lead programmatic presentations to share about the work and achievements to the external stakeholders, involve program team members as needed.

• Support fund raising efforts of the organization by providing program information promptly, building relationships, collecting grants recommendations, and reviewing and providing inputs into the grant applications.

• Review and make sure the data recording is timely and accurate, and inputs are provided for the internal data system and dashboard accurately and timely.

• Attend KVSS board meetings as required and provide the executive board with a comprehensive briefing on the programs.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

The Senior Program Manager is also expected to:

• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the table.

• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and execution of duties.

• Report to the manager every week, and as needed in case of urgent issues.

• Promote team alignment on the org-wide decisions.

• Ensure and enforce confidentiality in collected information/data.

• Be problem solver, respond to and program related risks and issues promptly, and escalate to senior management as needed.

• Represent the organization professionally and positively in the external forums. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, communicating regularly and responding promptly. Be available to work off hours and in emergency situations and when needed.

• Embrace and support the values of care, gender equity, and sustainability.

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the Senior Programs Manager may be required to take on additional responsibilities as determined by his/her Manager.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

Masters Degree in Development Studies,  Management or other related fields

Experience and Skills

• 7+ years of proven professional experience in government relations, compliance, and areas relevant to this role.
• Understanding of the legal, policy, and compliance provisions.
• Prior experience in international organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with team members and government stakeholders.
• Good communication skills and familiarity with the use of technology.

Language

Fluent in both Nepali and English

Other Qualifications

None required

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• You believe that we can change the world in the blink of an eye
• You believe in making decisions that put children first
• You are self-motivated, organized, and approachable
• You enjoy creating systems, keeping records, and increasing efficiency
• You are always looking for new ways for our team to work smarter instead of harder
• You are detail-oriented and conscientious. You make sure nothing slips through the cracks
• You have a strong work ethic and a willingness to pick up new skills. You are comfortable multi-tasking
• You are experienced and comfortable talking with a wide range of people, from nursery children to government ministers
• You are positive, patient, and a clear communicator who is comfortable working with both the Kopila Valley staff in Nepal and the BlinkNow staff in the United States
• You are an empathetic person with a knack for putting out fires before they start and soothing conflicts brewing beneath the surface
• You require little supervision and are flexible. You understand that you will be wearing many hats in this role, many of which are not explicitly included in this job description.

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