Programme Quality Manager at Christian Blind Mission (CBM)

Objective:

The Programme Quality Manager will ensure that CBM programme strategy, policies, standards, technical guidelines and procedures are understood and adhered to by the country and regional level, providing necessary coaching and support to and checks with Country Offices. This includes supporting the effective annual and multi-year planning of projects and progammes ensuring Country Offices are fulfilling programme objectives and utilisation of budgets. S/he also manages CBM’s programmes and partnerships at regional level, including disability inclusion and advocacy work, and ensures its alignment with CBM’s Federation strategy, internal standards and procedures.

Main tasks

• Partnership and programme management
• Conduct an assessement of programme quality gaps in the region as the basis for a 3-year regional regional programme development plan broken down into annual operational plans, and ensure implementation.
• Guide, support and regularly train Country Offices to ensure partnership policies as well as programme standards, policies and procedures established at International level are understood and implemented at country level; support with capacity development measures as required. This includes utilisation of relevant monitoring, learning and evaluation tools and compliance therewith. Ensure the same at regional level.
• In cases where Specific Intervention Countries are managed by the Regional Hub, oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of respective programmes in collaboration with relevant Member Associations and Initiatives/Technical leads.
• Ensure performance of quality checks of the development of new partnerships and project/programme proposals at the country level, facilitate their approval in accordance with CBM’s delegated authority levels.
• In collaboration with the Finance Manager, monitor burn/implementation rates at Country Office level and ensure corrective programmatic measures are taken were necessary.
• Coordinate the programmatic review of Country Plans prior to their presentation for approval.
• Act as a backstop for pursuing programmatic opportunities and addressing challenges at country and regional level.
• Provide institutional funding expertise in the scoping, establishment and implementation of complex/large scale grants and engage with Member Associations, Initiatives/technical leads and Country Offices in the development, planning and monitoring of such grants (multi-country, consortia, etc.).
• Conduct regular evaluations and audits of the Country programmes and provide guidance and coordination on external project evaluations.
• Identify and assess regional partnership opportunities, recommend for approval and manage regional relationships.
• With Regional Advisors and Inititative/technical leads, ensure best evidence in programming in the countries in the region is collated, and promote and document peer-to-peer learning; disseminate this learning across countries and to the wider CBM Federation through agreed channels.
• Actively promote CBM’s accountability commitments towards partners, collate feedback from the countries in the region gathered through various partner feedback & complaints mechanisms; support identification and resolution of systemic programme quality issues and improvements for the country and regional level; elevate to International level as appropriate.
• Advocacy, technical advice & representation (where relevant)
• Support the Regional Hub Director in coordinating with CBM International and Member Association advocacy staff in the pursuit of advocacy priorities, ensuring alignment of disability inclusion and advocacy work at country level with regional and global engagement.
• Engage with regional alliances and work with regional and international civil society, agencies, NGOs and in particular DPOs to define and support regional advocacy priorities.
• Coordinate efforts to strengthen and support regional DPO organisations and movements.
• Coordinate the delivery of DID technical advice in Disability Inclusive Development to regional alliances and civil society organizations, in alignment with the DID Initiative.
• Communication and resource mobilisation
• Monitor regional calls for proposals from institutional donors and support the Regional Hub Director in building focused relationships with representatives of potential regionally based donors.
• Guide Country Offices in their work with partners to gather and share quality and timely project information and content to support CBM’s internal and external communication, enabling Member Associations to demonstrate impact in their donor communication.
• Information gathering and sharing
• Collate information gathered at country level in analysis of the geopolitical, humanitarian, social, economic, cultural and human rights situation for the wider region, relevant to CBM’s disability inclusion focus and share with internal stakeholders.
• Promote documentation of good practice cases and support Country Offices in this process.
• Facilitate exchange and learning on programme issues between countries, with other regions and with other CBM stakeholders

Professional Profile and Requirement

Education, Knowledge & Professional Experience

• Relevant academic degree (e.g. development studies, social sciences);
• Professional experience of at least 10 years in a development context with at least 3 years in a similar position, and a track record of successfully overseeing large inclusive development and/or humanitarian programmes in collaboration with national partners.
• Ability to work diplomatically and with sensitivity with individuals from a variety of cultures, professions and personal backgrounds.
• Advantage of lived experience with disability.
• Experience of working with persons with disabilities or promoting disability rights a distinct advantage.
• Good knowledge of international mainstream development and development-related trends;
• Extensive experience in participatory approaches, sustainability, partner capacity development, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, and accountability; Excellent managerial qualities with regard to results based, project cycle management and financial management.
• Excellent leadership, prolific networking and communication skills;
• Proven track record in skills transfer and capacity development, with strong coaching abilities.
• Willingness to travel frequently in the region.
• Commitment to CBM’s mission, vision and values.