Program specialist - Humanitarian team

at  The LEGO Foundation

The Programme Specialist is fundamental for the aspirations of the Children on the Move team, which is the humanitarian grant-making team at the LEGO Foundation. The Programme Specialist supports and manages specific project-level tasks as well as provides expert guidance on contextually relevant humanitarian interventions focusing on learning through play either through grants, service agreements, or partnerships.

ABOUT YOU

You are aligned with the LEGO Foundation’s purpose and values and look forward to contributing to a positive and playful workplace. In addition to this passion for our work, we are seeking a range of experiences and skills in our new Program specialist.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Possess a diverse background in various humanitarian environments through work and life experiences
• Strong humanitarian and education in emergencies expertise, including both formal and non-formal primary education, as well as programming including social emotional learning, wellbeing, and educational learning components.
• Ability to leverage a deep understanding of the humanitarian ecosystem – encompassing diverse stakeholders such as donors, international and local implementing partners – to identify and cultivate new grant opportunities that align with the LEGO Foundation’s humanitarian strategy.
• Grant/Project management and oversight (development, selection, contracting, management, budgeting, timelines, deliverables, reporting)

SKILLS AND STYLE

• A deep curiosity about, and strong belief in, the transformative power of play in humanitarian settings, including bringing a playful mindset into the work, which also includes diplomacy.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and cultures (e.g. active listening, give space, self-reflective, and effective communication).
• Proactive problem-solving skills, including being solutions-oriented and positive towards changes, especially when adaptation or iteration is needed.
• Clear, articulate, concise and humble.
  Deadline: Please submit your application by Friday, October 4.

• Support the development and management of Children on the Move projects aligned with the grant portfolio and ensuring all related activities (grant making, convenings, thought leadership, civil society strengthening, government relations) are designed to deliver on the Children on the Move team goals and strategies.
• Evaluate the organizational landscape and pinpoint appropriate partners to collaborate with in order to craft initiatives that advance strategic goals, including the allocation of grants for these purposes.
• Build networks and partnerships with donors, practitioners, government officials, scholars, NGOs, community-based organizations, to ensure the contextual appropriate understanding, insights, engagement systems and implementation of activities for children.
• Oversee partnerships, grants, and service agreements to ensure that deliverables are met, which includes overseeing the review of annual reports, funds releases, creation of new grant ideas, and grant applications.
• Coordinate work in specific geographies/contexts to maintain a full overview of what is happening.
• Collaborate with relevant colleagues (advocacy, communications, research, facilitation, design, etc.) to bring in the right expertise necessary to deliver quality outcomes within the project.
• Capture learnings and best practices, including supporting the broader Children on the Move team with briefings and desk research.