Global Head of Program and Development (Geneva, Switzerland)

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence. Geneva Call’s mission is to ensure that armed groups and de facto authorities respect International Humanitarian Law and basic humanitarian principles in the areas where they fight, or they control.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

Under the overall supervision of the Director of Operations, the role of Global Head of Program and Development (GHPD) is to lead the Program and Development unit and develop standardized programmatic approaches and models in alignment with programmatic cycle management tools and ensure programmatic interventions are based on Geneva Call’s Theory of Change, strategic priorities, conflict specification framework and humanitarian principles.

The GHPD will coordinate with other operational units such as Policy, Research and Legal, Strategy and Management, MEAL and Donor Relation Units to promote coherence in programmatic plans and strategies for internal applications and external dissemination. The GHPD will line manage Regional Heads of Program and Development to ensure technical guidance and support on program models and designs from inception to implementation and end evaluation is provided to country missions and medium to long term impact is generated. The position in coordination with other units will develop strategic programmatic partnerships with other international organizations and networks and in close collaboration with Global Engagement Unit organize events in global capitals on protection of civilians through AGDA engagement.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

Program Quality and Assurance

• Develop Global Project Cycle Management Handbook based on Geneva Call’s Theory of Change through incorporating best existing programmatic practices from field missions and ensuring consistency in implementation across in the organization.
• Take lead in developing and streamlining specific program models with thematic approaches based on Geneva Call’s conflict spectrum framework while incorporating humanitarian engagement principles and strategy.
• Build the capacities of program team to develop long term sustainable programs and effectively use gender inclusive data to enhance programming with a focus on progressive evolvement to achieve desired impact.
• Develop program implementation tracker system and generate quarterly reports on program advancements and quality of implementation leading towards desired targets.
• Provide guidance to regional heads of Program to ensure coordination and implementation of projects and program activities in consultation with the country teams.
• Develop standardized program versus cost estimation simulation model based on GC AGDA engagement program design.
• Take lead in designing Geneva Call’s internal program audits framework in consultation with relevant program focal points at HQ and country level to gauge impact of GC work on progressive basis.
• Hosts regular learning and collaboration opportunities for field and HQ staff to discuss program/project implementation strategies and good practices.

Operational Coordination

• In close coordination with Strategy and Management unit, align programmatic plans and support Geneva Call’s institutional strategic development through the implementation of the updated Theory of Change and Strategic Plan 2024-2027 in line with Geneva Call’s mission.
• In coordination with Policy, Research and Legal unit develop actionable thematic based programming on protection of civilians in different conflict context situations.
• In coordination with the MEAL unit, ensure the organizational MEAL framework is fully integrated into programmatic designs from inception to end evaluation stages, utilizing data from MEAL activities to enhance program quality.
• Provide technical guidance in developing high quality new project proposals for multi-country donors.
• In Coordination with the Global engagement unit, guide program team producing impact stories based on successful programmatic interventions.
• Develop relationships with international organizations at regional and Headquarter levels to support country missions.

Fundraising and Donor Briefings

• Provide inputs to operational and donor relations team for overall fundraising and relationship building.
• In coordination with Donor Relations Unit and Deputy Director of Operations provide specific updates and briefings to donors on programmatic updates and impacts.
• Provide programmatic guidance to Grants and Reporting Coordinators.

Representation

• Programmatically positioning the organization and its operations within the geographical areas to gain maximum access to AGDAs, influential stakeholders and affected populations while maintaining and strengthening Geneva Call’s role as a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian actor,
• Engage frequently with high level stakeholders and international organizations to secure appropriate support for Geneva Call operations.
• Represent Geneva Call in Regional and Global Forums and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Management

• Direct Line management of Regional Heads of Program and Development.
• Indirect Line management of Grants and Reporting Coordinators in the headquarters.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in political or social sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, International Relations, International Humanitarian Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.

Experience

• Overall, 14 years of highly relevant professional experience. Minimum 10 years of experience in the field and 3 years of experience in a headquarters setting in developing and implementing project cycle management tools. Relevant professional experience in humanitarian settings and/or crisis and post-crisis settings is required.
• Progressively responsible experience in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities and international institutions.
• Relevant experience of developing programs on humanitarian engagement with Armed Groups and De Facto Authorities.
• Demonstrated experience in formulating, implementing, and evaluating program implementation in line with strategies and planning.
• Proven ability to navigate the complexities and sensitivities associated with Geneva Call’s operations.
• Proven track record of successful leadership and management in complex, multicultural environments, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including national governments, regional organizations, civil society, religious leaders and others.
• Practiced ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others.
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments. Delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
• Supports the team, provides oversight and takes responsibility for assignments.
• Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results.
• Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions.
• Advanced understanding of the complex needs of humanitarian operations.
• Proven experience in program development and management.
• Experience in leading senior managers.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of financial and business administration and of the principles and practices of management.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills and working in teams and across departments to ensure an inclusive, respectful and safe working environment.
• Sound knowledge of project cycle management as well as of monitoring and evaluation.
• Leadership skills. Building trustful relationships.
• Attention to detail.
• Analytical thinking.
• Structured, strong planning and organization skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with strong execution skills.

Languages

• Fluency in English and French, oral and written, is required. Spanish, Arabic and Russian strong asset.
• Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Geneva Call’s values

All GC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, accountability, dedication and respect. These attitudes and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position: Global Head of Program and Development
• Type of Contract: Open-ended, Swiss contract
• Activity rate: 100%, full-time position
• Work place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Preferred start date: April 1, 2025

Application

No later than 14 January, 2025.

Important Note: Our HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since, we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team to invite them for written test – and the steps afterwards if they qualify i.e., interview and other assessments as deemed appropriate.