Senior Officer, Program Operations

Save the Children International; Fatih; Hybrid; TRY 2,908,000 - 4,363,000; Full time

Job summary

Save the Children International is seeking a Senior Officer, Program Operations to join our global team. The role requires strong project management, stakeholder engagement and performance monitoring in a matrixed, international setting.

The position offers hybrid/remote working with flexible options; location is any approved Save the Children office location and involves occasional international travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of programme and project management practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 apps including Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint.
• Fluency in English with strong written and verbal communications.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic coordination, project management and performance monitoring.
• Support planning, delivery and monitoring of Global Programme Operations priorities.
• Coordinate across teams in a matrixed global environment.
• Develop communications and stakeholder engagement to drive initiatives.

Skills

Complex project experience

Matrix environment coordination

Project management & reporting

Performance management

Data analysis & insights

Senior stakeholder presentations

Facilitation & stakeholder management

MS 365 & SharePoint

Strategic thinking & delivery

Collaboration & learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

PM/Proj Mgmt approaches knowledge

PRINCE2/PMP/Agile certification (Desirable)

Tools

SharePoint

Power BI

Microsoft 365

Teams

Job description

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for aSenior Officer, Program Operations to join our global team.

Team and Role Purpose

The Global Programme Operations team enables Save the Children to deliver high-quality, compliant, efficient and impactful programmes for children worldwide. The team acts as a strategic partner and connector across the organisation, facilitating excellence in programme delivery, operational performance, risk management, learning, and continuous improvement.

Through field-focused support, global standards, systems, data-driven insights, capacity strengthening and collaborative problem-solving, the team supports implementing offices to meet organisational quality standards, donor requirements and regulatory obligations. The team also drives operational transformation, organisational learning, programme risk management and performance improvement initiatives that strengthen Save the Children's ability to achieve sustainable impact for children.

Role purpose

The Senior Program Operations Officer plays a critical role in enabling the success of the Global Programme Operations and Program Risk, Delivery and Performance function by providing strategic coordination, project management, performance monitoring, communications and operational support across the teams.

The role supports the planning, delivery and monitoring of key Global Programme Operations and Programme Risk, Delivery & Performance priorities, helping ensure that strategic initiatives are effectively coordinated, communicated and implemented across a complex global environment.

Acting as a connector across teams and functions, the post holder will strengthen collaboration, support organisational learning and knowledge management, contribute to programme risk and performance processes, and facilitate the effective delivery of transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.

The role requires strong project management, analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to operate confidently in a global, matrixed environment with diverse stakeholders.

• Job Title: Senior Officer, Program Operations
• Reports To: Director for Program Risks, Delivery and Performance (PRDP)
• Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available
• 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: SCI Careers
• Required Time Zone: Any
• Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract (12 months)
• Right to Work: The successful candidate must have the right to work in the country where the role is based, for the duration of employment.
• Language Requirements: English
• International Travel: Yes, only exceptional basis to support team meeting
• Remit: Global

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Experience supporting complex projects, programmes or operational initiatives in an international organisation.
2. Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and workstreams within a matrixed environment.
3. Strong project management and organisational skills, including planning, monitoring and reporting.
4. Experience supporting performance management, risk management, change initiatives or continuous improvement processes.
5. Proven ability to analyse information, identify trends and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
6. Experience producing high-quality presentations, reports, briefing materials and communications for senior stakeholders.
7. Excellent facilitation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
8. Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, collaboration platforms and virtual engagement tools.
9. Ability to balance strategic thinking with strong delivery and execution focus.
10. Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, inclusion and continuous learning.

Desirable

• Experience within an international NGO or humanitarian/development organisation.
• Knowledge of programme management, risk management or organisational performance frameworks.
• Experience supporting organisational change or transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of SharePoint, Power BI or similar reporting and knowledge-management tools.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, Business Administration, Project Management, Public Administration, Organisational Development, Risk Management, Management, Social Sciences, or a related field; or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of programme and project management approaches, planning and performance management practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint.
• Professional fluency in English, with excellent written, verbal, facilitation and presentation skills.

Desirable

• Professional certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, MSP or equivalent).
• Certification or training in Risk Management, Organisational Performance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Change Management, Continuous Improvement or Knowledge Management.
• Experience with Power BI, data visualisation and performance reporting tools
• Specialized training in social change and locally-led programming or partnerships
• Written language skills in French, Spanish or Arabic

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 organization, 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.

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.