Aga Khan Foundation
Head of Programme Quality & Learning
Team / Programme: Programmes
Location: Regional
Office – Kenya
Initial Duration: 2 years (with a possibility of extension)
Scope of Role: The
Head of Programme Quality and Learning (PQL) Unit is responsible for assuring
the consistent quality of programme strategy, proposal design, compliance, and
learning.
The Head of this unit will manage and
backstop a unified team of technical specialists and consultants on programme
quality.
In addition, among others, the Head
of PQL will act as the Focal Point in the astute application of the quality
assurance protocol and validation of processes for generating data for the
organisational dashboard.
Reports to: Regional
Programme Director (RPD).
Staff Directly reporting to this role:
·
Thematic Technical Advisors
·
Regional Managers – (Thematic and
MERL)
·
Project Director – SESEA
Key Areas of Accountability:
Programme and Concept Design &
Development
·
Support the thematic advisors and
managers in the process of conceptualization, project design and proposal
development to produce cost effective, innovative, and high quality sustainable
programmes.
·
Ensure that all relevant AKF EA
policies, protocols and procedures are applied throughout the programme design
stages
·
Liaise closely with other Units,
particularly the Resource Mobilisation Unit, in the proposal development and
writing process
Strategic planning and leadership
·
Provide support to thematic advisors
in the development of sector strategies, ensuring adherence to AKF’s global
strategy
·
Ensure joined-up strategic planning
across core sectors with a focus on programme integration and the strengthening
of multi-sectoral approaches.
·
Maintain oversight of progress
against sector strategies in coordination with technical advisors.
Program Quality Oversight
·
Ensure evidence-based programming by
leading in setting AKF EA’s regional agenda for Monitoring, Evaluation,
Research and Learning.
·
Provide direct management oversight
to the PQL Unit, ensuring quality programming in compliance with donor
requirements and internal specifications.
·
Develop quality assurance plans,
conduct regular programme risk analyses, identify critical control points, and
suggest preventive/mitigation measures to the Programme Implementation Team and
other Units
Learning, Policy Dialogue and
Reporting
·
Oversee the scheduling and production
of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and
efficient manner, including key evaluation activities and learning briefs
capturing key program learning for public dissemination.
·
Ensure that MERL team members focus
on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for
ongoing program decision-making and policy influencing while also capturing
results at the impact level.
·
In Liaison with the communications
team, lead on policy dialogue and dissemination of lessons learned to internal
and external stakeholders and adopt best practices.
Staff Management, Mentorship, and
Development
·
In close liaison with the RPD, create
a work atmosphere conducive to the development of a motivated, professional,
multisectoral team fit for purpose.
Manage performance of direct reports
through:
·
Effective use of the Performance Management
System including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing
feedback, periodic reviews, and fair and unbiased evaluations
Coaching, mentoring and other
developmental opportunities
·
Defining expectations and providing
appropriate one to one support to direct reports and others within the PQL
team.
·
Ensure the PQL staff devote fairly
equitable amount time and effort in supporting programmes across the region
Qualifications and Experience
·
Minimum Master’s degree or equivalent
in international development or other relevant fields;
·
Minimum 8 years senior management
experience in managing multisectoral teams, preferably in programme design,
learning and quality assurance at country or regional level
·
Experience in management, leadership
and mentoring staff with willingness to visit programmes in the field
·
Experience in working with
Governments and development partners to influence policies and practices.
·
Exceptional English communication
skills, able to make strong presentations and produce high quality written
reports
·
Experience of working across
geographical, organisation boundaries, cultures & diverse development
stakeholders.
·
Experience of working in East Africa
and knowledge of local cultures
How to Apply:
Qualified
applicants should submit a cover letter, CV and the names and contact
information of three professional referees by 4th January 2017 via e-mail to: recruitment@akfea.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted.
The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency
of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org).
Regional Education Advisor East Africa
Are you interested in finding
innovative ways to improve education opportunities for the children of East
Africa?
Aga Khan Foundation East Africa (AKF)
is seeking a dynamic, creative Regional Education Advisor (REA) for East
Africa.
Working closely with the Regional
Education Programme Manager, the REA will provide technical leadership on
programme strategy, design, quality assurance and learning across Kenya,
Uganda, and Tanzania.
AKF is a private, non-denominational
development agency promoting creative solutions to problems that impede social
development.
AKF works broadly across five
thematic areas: Health, Education, Early Childhood Development, Economic
Development and Civil Society Strengthening. AKF is an equal opportunity
employer.
Responsibilities / Competencies
·
Lead in the development and review of
the education and early childhood development sector strategies
·
In conjunction with the Resource
Mobilisation & Partnerships Unit, lead in the development of ideas,
programme concepts and proposals for growing the education portfolio
·
Provide quality assurance and
technical support in education and early childhood development to the Programme
Implementation Team
·
Lead in the development of policy
briefs and position papers for policy influencing in conjunction with the
communications team Lead the communication of programme learning to ensure
findings are shared across and between countries
Qualifications and Experiences
·
Postgraduate degree in education or
related sector, especially in early childhood development or primary education
·
Minimum 8 years’ working experience
in the education or early childhood development sectors
·
Familiarity with international
development organisations and donors, especially DFATD, USAID and DFID
·
Experience working with governments,
bilateral, multilateral, and other development partners to form positive
relationships and effective partnerships
·
Experience working across cultures
with proven skills to communicate effectively
·
Experience working in the East
African context a plus
·
Strong interpersonal skills to
influence programme direction and meet diverse stakeholders’ expectations
·
Excellent verbal and written skills
to deliver messages clearly to various target audiences
How to apply:
Interested applicants are requested to submit their
applications with CVs, and a covering letter explaining why they are best
suited for the position by 22nd Decenber, 2016 by e-mail to: recruitment@akfea.org.
Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted. www.akdn.org
