Programme Funding Governance & Risk Specialist

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Programme Funding Governance & Risk Specialist to join our global team.

Team and Job Purpose
To provide strategic leadership and direction on all Programme Funding matters across Save the Children. Optimise and align our local-to-global programme funding portfolio and drive continuous improvements in our capabilities, funding practices and donor partnerships. Blend art and science to turn insights into action. Collaborate extensively across the movement, and partner closely with key stakeholders, both within and beyond StC, to directly inform, shape, and connect key strategic programme funding trends and initiatives that advance the movement's Global Strategy and Global Funding Framework ambitions.

To oversee, support and enhance Save's programme funding governance and related risk management; ensuring alignment with global strategies and regulatory requirements. This role exists to ensure that the organisation's programme funding policies, practices and procedures (including the Funding Protocol) are current, optimised for growth, and are aligned with global commitments such as the Grand Bargain and Localisation. The role will actively support global initiatives across the movement, to enhance current programme funding governance, donor due diligence, and funding risk assurance across our global programme funding portfolio. This role focuses on driving a culture of collective decision-making and action, both strategically and operationally, and will collaborate closely with senior stakeholders and functional experts to ensure the effectiveness and integrity of our programme funding processes.

Job Title: Programme Funding Governance & Risk Specialist

Reports To: Global Head of Programme Funding Strategy, Governance & Risk

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available 

Contract Length: Permanent

Grade: P3

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: Hiring Locations

Time Zone (that the role holder must be available to work in): Any

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

International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 5%

Budget Responsibility: None

People Management Responsibility: None

Principle Accountabilities

• Drive the continuous improvement and implementation of programme funding policies, procedures and toolkits, ensuring alignment with Save the Children's global strategies and external regulatory requirements.

• Support initiatives to enhance cross-movement programme funding specific donor due diligence and processes, fostering transparent and effective communication with members, countries, donors and partners to maintain trust and compliance.

• Maintain a local-to-global view of and aggregate reporting on Save the Children's global programme funding risks - strategic and operational - and, in collaboration with others, drive collective action plans to address and mitigate the (biggest) challenges and opportunities identified.

• Help ensure compliance with all Programme Funding governance requirements; tracking and reporting on issues, and ensuring all funding policies and procedures align both with internal policies and standards, as well as external commitments like the Grand Bargain and Localisation.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts from across the movement related to Programme Funding Governance and Risk Management.

• Provide capacity-building support and training to Country, Global and Member teams on all Programme Funding governance obligations, standards and best practices, fostering an environment of continuous learning and skill enhancement.

Experience and Skills

Essential Experience:

1. Experience in managing governance and funding or donor compliance within a global organisation or similar context.

2. Considerable experience in implementing and improving programme funding policies to align with organisational strategies and regulatory requirements.

3. Proficient experience in risk identification, assessment, and mitigation within programme funding context - both operational and strategic.

4. Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to drive collective decision-making and strategic initiatives.

Desirable Experience:

1. Substantial experience in donor compliance and due diligence and maintaining compliance with funding requirements from diverse sources.

2. Experience in fostering an inclusive work environment and applying diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in governance practices.

3. Significant experience in representing an organisation in high-level discussions with donors and regulatory bodies.

4. Experience in the humanitarian or international development sector, particularly in programme funding and governance roles.

Essential Skills:

1. Extensive understanding of donor compliance obligations, fundraising regulatory requirements, and best practices in programme funding governance.

2. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex regulatory and contractual requirements and ensure compliance.

3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of working across organisational boundaries and engaging with stakeholders at all levels. Strong writing and presentational skills, enabling you to convey complex information to diverse stakeholder groups.

4. Proficiency in developing and implementing risk management frameworks and tools.

Desirable Skills:

1. Strong project management skills with proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure.

2. Ability to provide training and capacity building, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill enhancement within teams.

3. Solid understanding of financial management and programme funding protocols within the non- profit sector.

4. Competence in using data analysis software or tools for risk assessment and reporting

Education and Qualifications

Essential:

• Education: Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience - in international development, business administration, finance or a related field

• Multi-Language Proficiency: While English is essential, proficiency in other languages commonly used in SCI/A programme funding operations, such as French, Spanish or Arabic, is desirable.

• CPD: Commitment to continuous professional development to stay updated with the latest trends in risk management, programme funding and business development is required.

• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to different country offices as required.

Desirable:

• Professional certifications in Risk Management, Governance, or Compliance would be advantageous. Certification in compliance or regulatory affairs is desirable.

• Accredited membership of relevant professional bodies is desirable

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.

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.