Crown Agents is seeking a result focused Team Leader to provide strategic, technical and managerial oversight of the WISH Dividend programme. They will lead on transformation design and programme implementation, strengthening capacities in the provision of, and demand for, equitable, quality, integrated and rights-based SRH and Family Planning (FP) information, products and services; and supporting in-country partners to contribute towards sustainable and resilient health systems in alignment with WISH’s goals. The Team Leader will bring inspiring strategic and technical leadership, leading an engaged team to deliver impact across WISH focal countries and at regional level. They will have overall responsibility for management for programme results, finances, staff and partnerships. They will be the primary point of contact with FCDO for the programme and hold key stakeholder relationships at regional and country level. The Team Leader will liaise with the Programme Director on programmatic performance to provide programme updates, discuss strategies, obstacles, performance plans, and progress against targets.

We anticipate that this role will require substantial travel. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the programme, and selection of final applicant is subject to FCDO approval.

Specific responsibilities of the Team Leader include:

Leadership

• Provide inspiring, courageous, results focused leadership across diverse teams located in multiple countries.
• Build and support a cohesive team that is effective, efficient, and outcome orientated.
• Provide leadership to a strong consortium, building partnerships and creating a collaborative environment, ensuring that all partners are aware of programme expectations and are actively involved in achieving their objectives.
• Lead and drive continuous quality improvement strategies and processes.
• Align to Crown Agents’ Delivery Strategies, including Ways of Working, GESI and Adaptive Management

About you

Stakeholder coordination

• Establish and maintain effective engagement and dialogue with governments and other programme stakeholders across all programme countries.
• Establish and maintain effective, trust-based relationships and dialogue with key programme representatives from FCDO.

Technical and strategic oversight

• Oversee strategic design, technical direction, working in close collaboration with programme technical specialists.
• Oversee development, review, and monitoring of programme strategy, annual workplans, knowledge management, and sustainability efforts to ensure achievement of programme outcomes and goals.
• Provide quality assurance of technical outputs.
• Represent the programme in national, regional, and international fora, including technical conferences and policy briefings, and share information about programme achievements and lessons learned within the organisation and wider development community.

Operational Management

• Provide operational management of the programme, ensuring all activities are implemented within agreed timelines and achieve expected results, in line with the performance framework and standard operational policies and procedures, during the inception and implementation phase.
• Provide programatic and financial oversight of the programme, ensuring Key Performance Indicators are achieved.
• Work closely with programme management and consortium partners to ensure programme deliverables are implemented according to FCDO standards and regulations.
• Ensure lessons learned are shared across programme countries.

Person Specification:

• Advanced degree (MSc, PhD, MD) in a relevant field, such as public health, social science, or management.
• International credibility in family planning and reproductive health, and a demonstrated commitment to social inclusion.
• At least 15 years’ experience working in international health programmes, including experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, and ideally fragile contexts.
• At least ten years’ experience in senior-level management positions and in leading diverse, multi-partner consortia, and ideally in managing multi-country programmes (Team Leader, Chief of Party, Programme Director, Deputy Team Leader, Deputy Chief of Party).
• Excellent people management skills, including coordinating teams and consortium partners based in multiple locations.
• Competence in building collaborative relationships and networks with donors, governments, CSOs and other key stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing programmes including work planning, financing management and programme quality assurance and control.
• Excel at stakeholder engagement, with strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with donors, government and other key stakeholders.
• Experience of working on FCDO programmes (and ideally other major donors too).
• Experience in inspiring action based on evidence and influencing change, including with governments, partners and clients.
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills (French oral and written communication skills are desirable).

You must be a strong supporter of woman’s right to access safe family planning and safe abortion services (pro-choice).