Programme Director, Conflict and Stabilisation

Background

Chemonics International is a major international development consultancy, with a 49-year history and a track record for delivering integrated solutions across multiple sectors and geographies to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals. With experience in over 150 countries and global network of over 5,000 technical specialists, Chemonics is recognised as one of the world's leading partners for international development.

Since formally launching Chemonics UKin May 2019, we have established a strong and diverse portfolio of UK Aid-funded programmes as well as partnerships with donors including International Development Banks and European bilateral donors. We work with government and development sector counterparts across three continents to deliver programmes in sectors including climate action, education, governance, peacebuilding, stabilisation, social cohesion, and research.

At the beginning of 2024, Chemonics UK restructured and established four technical practices, with one of these being the Conflict and Stabilisation (C&S) practice. Practices are responsible for oversight of all practice programmes, business development, technical quality assurance and thought leadership. The C&S practice team, which this person will join, currently includes programmes in Yemen, Western Balkans and Ukraine, as well as a cross-border conflict research programme. There are also numerous Chemonics International relevant thematic projects globally and a healthy pipeline of C&S opportunities. In addition to countries/regions where Chemonics UK already implements C&S projects (Ukraine, Yemen, Western Balkans and Jordan - through a Women, Peace and Security programme overseen by the Human Development Practice), the following are priority countries for 2025: Syria, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories/Israel, Sudan/Ethiopia/Horn of Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership/Management, and Backstopping

• Programme Director for at least one C&S programme.
• Supervises Team leader(s) and provides coverage as necessary.
• Regular (e.g. weekly/fortnightly) Team Leader checks-ins; providing ad hoc guidance and direction as required. In general, be a sounding board for the Team Leader and in particular in relation to key risks, team resource/HR and client issues, and opportunities. May support on addressing or taking advantage of specific risks and opportunities; in particular with regards to leveraging wider Chemonics resources.
• Regular checks-ins with Senior Programme Manager/Programme Manager(s) (PM) for programme(s) for which they are Programme Director.
• Support the Team Leader on conducting prioritisation and/or other strategic review or reflection exercises with the programme team.
• Providing senior corporate oversight of the programme. Accountable to the C&S Practice Lead for ensuring the technical, financial and risk aspects of the programme are managed successfully and raising any issues (including weekly reporting of any key security and safety, and delivery risks). Working with the Team Leader and Senior PM to update the C&S Practice Lead and the PM COE (Programme Management Centre of Excellence) on progress as part of the three times a year programme review process.

Client Relationships

• Point of escalation for FCDO/other clients to discuss sensitive issues or escalation of issues.
• Conducts quarterly client consultation meetings; and addresses any feedback.
• Attends other client meetings with FCDO as required, and seeks to maintain and enhance Chemonics UK's reputation.
• Prepares for annual reviews with Team Leader and FCDO/other client.
• Leads client negotiations.

Deliverables and Reporting

• Engaged in technical review of key programmatic and technical deliverables. Conducts final review of submission package (in coordination with the Team Leader).
• Engaged in technical review of deliverables for the quarterly report and conducts final review of submission package (in coordination with the Team Leader).
• May conduct specific short-term technical assignments on programmes as required.
• Conducts final review of submission package for asset register and risk register (in coordination with the Team Leader).

Finance

• Attends corporate cost (budget) reviews, and provides sign-off on proforma updates.
• Informed, consulted, or approves budget in cases where variance against prior forecast is significant.

Conflict and Stabilisation Practice Strategy and Thought Leadership

• Contributes to the C&S practice strategy and takes responsibility for delivering this alongside C&S colleagues. Focusing on further enhancing Chemonics UK's reputation for technical delivery and thought leadership on C&S programmes; expanding the C&S programme portfolio into new geographies (through designing and implementing country engagement plans) and technical areas; conducting early scoping and design for new potential programmes; engaging with FCDO on new opportunities; exploring ways to diversify funding beyond FCDO; training and other capacity building of staff; building and maintaining close partnerships with SMEs, research organisations, and NGOs.
• Build their own and Chemonics UK's subject matter expertise in C&S through supporting the advancement of the body of knowledge (e.g., innovations, best practices, lessons learned) and quality standards amongst C&S programmes. Advise on technical trends and programming priorities for FCDO, and potentially other donors. Identify and share best practices and innovative methodologies from current portfolio and wider C&S sector and support inclusion in current practice programme/s and proposals.
• Identifying opportunities for thought leadership (e.g. organising and/or presenting at internal and external events, blogs etc). Develop the practice network and promote Chemonics by helping identify and manage relationships and information sharing with key partners and consultants; supporting and managing outreach to professional societies; identifying opportunities for and attending external events and networking with clients and counterparts; and supporting practice improvement or preparation of technical and development practitioner publications.
• Mentors and develops others within Chemonics UK with an interest or expertise in C&S.
• Liaises with other C&S practice and programme colleagues as well as the Chemonics International Peace, Stabilisation and Transition and Democracy and Governance practices and projects.
• Sharing best practice between programmes.
• Provides coverage for C&S Practice Lead as required.

Business Development/New Business

• Leads 'captures' to identify and position early for bids and/or developing concept notes.
• Takes lead roles on proposals - e.g. Proposal Lead, Lead Technical Writer
• Contributes to technical design and/or be a proposal reviewer

Human Resource

• Works with Senior Programme Manager and Team Leader to ensure required resources for the programme.
• Helps manage, advise, and report upwards on any issues related to HR/team members or business conduct issues. Helps fill in any resource gaps (short and long-term). Works with Team Leader and Senior Programme Manager to ensure clear roles and responsibilities and management of the team.
• Participates in recruitment panel interviews, provides final recommendations for critical positions.
• Approves final rate/salary for new employees.
• Line management; including SMART objectives and development plans for all their team.

Administration; and subcontractor and grants management

• Works with Team leader and Senior Programme Manager on any performance or quality issues with subcontractors, particular where may be broader relationship considerations/impact.
• Participates in critical technical evaluation committees.
• Provides Programme Director sign-offs as per requirements of Chemonics UK Authority Matrix

Security

• Ensures security plans are in place and adequately resourced for all programmes they oversee. Engaged when high-risk incidents occur and ensures.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Experience managing or leading programmes in C&S relevant technical areas. Recognised by others as an experienced international development practitioner in at least one relevant technical area; contributes consistently to mentoring staff.
• Experience of overseeing CSSF/ISF programmes is highly desired; experience working on proposals and projects for European donors is an advantage. Fluency in FCDO requirements and demonstrated ability to apply and adhere to those requirements in project management.
• Understanding of, and experience, in any of the ley geographies for current and future Chemonics UK C&S projects is an advantage: Eastern Europe (especially Ukraine and Western Balkans); Middle East (especially Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Occupied Palestinian territories/Israel), Iraq); Sudan,/Ethiopia/Horn of Africa.
• Ability to draw on experience and soft skills to effectively manage clients; balancing corporate, client, and programme needs.
• Demonstrated progressive professional experience, including positions requiring supervision and mentorship of multiple staff; and operating at advanced levels of authority with oversight of significant activities, budgets, and resources. Demonstrated leadership, management, organisational, and decision-making skills.
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