Terms of Reference (TORs) for the recruitment of a consultant to perform the functions of Programme Manager (PM) for Christian-Aid’s country office in Burkina Faso

Context

Christian-Aid (CA) is a British & Irish INGO set up in 1945 to help care for victims of the Second World War. In Burkina Faso, Christian Aid Burkina Faso (CABF) began supporting communities in the 1970s during the drought that created a food and nutrition crisis in the Sahel.

CABF’s vision is of a Burkina Faso where "Women and men lead dignified lives, free from poverty and resilient to shocks, and are the drivers of their own development". Since 2018, CABF’s mission has been to "work with partners and local communities to fight injustice, respond to humanitarian emergencies, campaign for change and help people claim the services and benefits to which they are entitled".
CA works in Burkina Faso through its national partners, local development organizations, which it supports in building their capacity and developing and implementing projects to benefit vulnerable communities.

The current security crisis in Burkina Faso and the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali & Niger) has led CABF to redefine humanitarian assistance as its top priority. In addition to humanitarian aid, CABF’s new priorities for 2024 include : i) adaptation to climate change, ii) gender justice and iii) peace building and conflict prevention. These thematic areas, which stem from the contextual analysis of Burkina Faso, will form the pillars of the new strategy that CABF’s country Programme will be developing in the near future.

CABF’s work in Burkina Faso focuses on the Sahel, Centre-North, North, Boucle du Mouhoun and SouthWest regions. In Mali, CABF is active in the regions of Sikasso, Ségou and Mopti. In total, a dozen active national partners work with CABF to implement various projects financed by its own funds or by funds from institutional donors and/or private foundations.

In view of the major challenges facing CABF in 2024-2025, we are looking for the services of a candidate to act as Programme Manager for a short period. These ToR set out the objectives and expected results, as well as the mandate and recruitment procedures.
Consultant mandate

The position of Programme Manager is a key position for directing and managing large-scale donor programs where CABF is the contract holder and where CABF operates as part of a consortium with other NGOs. The consultant’s intervention should contribute to the achievement of the following results :
  Effective projects and programmes with good impact in line with agreed objectives.

  A strong portfolio of partners able to respond to and support Christian Aid’s advocacy, fundraising and communications Programme and positive working relationships with partners developed and maintained through regular and clear communication.

  Grant funds are used for the purposes intended. Compliance with CABF and donor financial policies and procedures, including reporting requirements.
  Project proposals based on strategic thinking and sound technical input, planning, monitoring and evaluation procedures.

  Programme, project and advocacy decisions are based on Christian Aid’s strategic focus areas. To this end, the Programme Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks :
  Ensure the finalization of the development and implementation in CABF’s project management system (IPIMS) of FY24 code 1 projects as well as the payment of funds to national beneficiary partners

  Finalize the MEAL parts of FY24 code 1 projects
  Develop and submit concept notes / proposals to institutional donors such as USAID-BHA, UN TRUST FUND, AfDB/FHRAOC.
  Lead a diagnostic study of the current context in Burkina Faso with guidance on priority support needs for vulnerable communities, particularly in the priority regions of CABF.

  Conducting a study on capitalizing on CA’s experience in Burkina Faso in terms of climate resilience.
  Supervise the finalization and submission of ongoing project reports to the relevant donors within the required deadlines
  Review code 1 project reports (narrative and financial) and CABF feedback to implementing partners on time.
  Provide adequate support to implementing partners for the execution of ongoing projects

Duration of mandate
The term of office is 03 months, from 15 January to 14 April 2024.

Location
The consultant will be required to work in Christian Aid’s offices in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with the possibility of travelling to the areas of intervention of the Programme and its project/Programme implementation partners. In addition, he/she may be called upon to carry out field missions to Christian Aid’s sub-offices in Burkina Faso, in particular Djibo in the Sahel region and Kaya in the Centre-North region.
Collaborations

Internal :
  He/she will work under the direct supervision of the CABF Country Director.
  Direct collaboration with CABF staff and staff in the region and worldwide (thematic advisers and others).
  The incumbent will be responsible for the day-to-day and strategic management of a team of Programme staff. As such, he/she will supervise a team of 3 staff (main thematic managers).
External :

  He/she will provide direct support to the staff of project implementation partners.
  Maintain strong links with government technical departments, allied organizations and networks

Profile sought
Skills/knowledge and expertise required :
  Degree in a development-related field or equivalent (minimum Master II)
  At least 5 years’ experience in the field of development, including at least 2 years in a Programme Manager position, including management of donor-funded projects.

  Experience in project/Programme monitoring and evaluation, as well as financial management of projects and programmes.
  Significant experience of working with local partner organizations and programming at community level.
  Knowledge of Programme management tools and techniques, including financial management tools and organizational capacity building tools.
  Experience in developing project proposals and successful fundraising experience - Experience in conducting/supervising specific studies - Fluency in French and English.

  Ability to carry out field missions, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Desirable skills/knowledge and expertise :
  Master degree in international development (rural development, agro-economics, development sociology, humanitarian Programme management, etc.).
  Understanding of the socio-political context of the country or sub-region.
  Experience in managing large and complex budgets and financial compliance issues

  Experience in local and international advocacy work
  Knowledge and experience of the funding rules of institutional donors, in particular the EU, USAID and the FCDO. - Availability

Recruitment procedure
  Send a detailed CV in English to bf-admin@christian-aid.org with a copy to gpegdwinde@christian-aid.org (mandatory, otherwise your application will not be considered). In the subject line of the message, mention : "Application for the recruitment of a consultant for the position of Programme Manager for CABF, Ouagadougou". - Deadline : Wednesday 10 January 2024 at 15:30. - Pre-selection of the three best eligible candidates - Interview with a the recruitment panel.

NB :
1. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
2. CABF reserves the right not to proceed with this recruitment.