Senior Operations & Project Management Officer, WCA (Maternity Cover)

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Operations & Project Management Officer, WCA (Maternity Cover) to join our global team. 

Job Title: Senior Operations & Project Management Officer, WCA (Maternity Cover)

Reports To: Senior Programme Operations Lead, WCA

Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover until 7th of December 2025

Grade: P2

Location: Any existing SCI office location in the WCA Region. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers

Time Zone : Europe, WCA, ESA, MENAEE Time Zones (UTC/GMT + / - 3 hours)

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment. 

Language Requirements: English & French 

International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 20% 

Team and Job Purpose

The Programme Risk, Delivery and Performance team ensures that programme risks are systematically assessed, mitigated, and monitored in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, through regional business partners, the team provides the first line of support to Country Offices, ensuring that programmes are delivered on time, with quality, and within budget, in accordance with the project management methodology (PMM). The team enhances programme delivery and performance by using relevant metrics, including those from the PRIME system, to guide decision-making and maintain accountability.

Role purpose

To support the successful implementation of project management practices within the organisation, the Project Management Senior Officer facilitates the adoption of project management methodology and systems including PRIME, ensuring cohesive performance monitoring across Country Offices. In addition, this role provides broader operational support to the Asia region. This role is crucial in empowering and building the capacity of teams through targeted tailored training initiatives, supporting the organisation's ambition to deliver impactful results for children in alignment with the global plans. The role holder will work closely with the Senior Programme Operations Lead, Asia and the Learning & Capability Development Lead, contributing to global initiatives along with relevant stakeholders.

Principal Accountabilities

• PMM and PRIME Adoption: Working closely with the PRIME roles in AMDC, support and monitor the adoption of Save the Children’s Project Management Methodology (PMM) and PRIME system in countries, ensuring alignment with proposal design.
• Programme Operations: Working closely with the Senior Programme Operations Lead, provide targeted operational support to Country Offices on programmes delivery and performance.
• Training and Capacity Building: Work closely with country teams to identify training needs and support the delivery of adequate Project Management capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Community of Practice: Lead and manage the Regional Project Management Community of Practice (CoP), facilitating collaboration, learning, and sharing of best practices.
• Reporting and Performance Monitoring: Regularly monitor and report on the adoption of PMM and PRIME, providing input on Project Management performance to global and country leadership teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Support the continuous improvement of PMM tools and PRIME system, acting as a key communicator between global Project Management roles (inc. PRIME SMEs) and Country Offices.
• Global initiatives: Contribute to global initiatives related to programme operations and Project Management, such as PRIME system enhancements, guidance review, content etc.

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Project Management Proficiency: Demonstrable knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PMM), tools, and systems including project lifecycle management, risk assessment, and budget management.
2. Training and Facilitation: Strong skills and demonstrable experience in materials design, training delivery and capacity building, with the ability to clearly convey complex concepts and adapt training styles to diverse audiences.
3. Community of Practice Management: Skills in developing and sustaining communities of practice, with a focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and best practice dissemination.
4. Analytical and Reporting: Competence in data analysis and interpretation, coupled with the ability to produce clear, comprehensive reports and presentations tailored to varied stakeholders.
5. Continuous Improvement: Proven ability to identify process improvements and drive the development and dissemination of better practices within project management frameworks.
6. Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with relevant software including PRIME, Microsoft Office Suite, any other project management software (e.g., MS Project, JIRA), and data analysis tools.
7. Adaptability and Problem-solving: Capacity to navigate and manage complex situations, respond to unforeseen challenges, and devise solutions that align with organisational values.
8. Communication and Engagement: Proficient in engaging and communicating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders both orally and in writing.

Desirable

• Experience in learning platforms and technological tools such as Power BI, RISE, SharePoint and LMS. 

Key Relationships

Internal (excluding direct team and manager)

• Global: Programme Operations, PRIME SMEs in AMDC, Learning & Capability Development Lead
• COs: Project Managers; Ops and PDQ teams; Supply Chain; MEAL; Finance

External

• Peer Organizations

Education and Qualifications 

Essential Education

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, International Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Certification in PMM and PRIME. 

Desirable

• Professional Certifications: Accreditation in Project Management methodologies such as Prince2, PMP, or PMD Pro is highly desirable.
• Master's degree in International Development; Project Management; Business Administration or related field.

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found here via the job listing. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our recruitment process:

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.