Director of Programme Performance at Blue Ventures

Summary job description

• As the Director of Programme Performance, you will be pivotal in leading a team responsible for the design, implementation, and management of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. Your leadership will be critical in developing performance indicators and data pipelines that inform organisational and programmatic key results, guide data-driven decision-making, and deliver meaningful impact assessments.
• The Director of Programme Performance will ensure the effective development of culturally relevant, community-centric performance indicators and alignment with donor requirements. They will collaborate closely with the Data Science and Technical Knowledge teams to design and refine performance indicators, implement monitoring frameworks, and develop data flows that align with Blue Ventures’ strategic goals.
• This role also includes overseeing the integration of community feedback, fostering continuous learning, and ensuring that programmatic data informs adaptive management.
• The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a strong background in marine conservation, socioeconomics, and MEL systems and experience working with small-scale fishing communities in diverse geographical contexts. This role will report to the Chief Technical Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Management:

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Programme Performance team to achieve critical programmatic and organisational objectives. Ensure team members have the necessary skills, resources, and support to deliver high-quality MEL activities across Blue Ventures’ programs.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment that promotes innovation, continuous learning, and professional development.
• As the Director of Programme Performance, you will foster a culture of professional development within the team. This will involve encouraging staff to pursue relevant certifications, attend workshops, and engage with industry networks in MEL, thereby promoting continuous learning and growth.

Strategy Development:

• Lead the integration of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) strategies with Blue Ventures’ long-term strategic objectives, ensuring that performance data drives organisational growth and innovation.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in MEL activities to incorporate them into strategy and ensure competitive advantage.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align MEL activities with Blue Ventures' overall vision, adjusting strategies to address programmatic and organisational priorities.

Project Management:

• Ensure that MEL initiatives adhere to project management best practices, focusing on maintaining high-quality deliverables, scalability, and sustainability across regions.
• Oversee the execution of robust quality assurance processes for all MEL initiatives, ensuring that performance data is accurate, timely, and actionable.
• Ensure that MEL frameworks and tools are designed for sustainability, allowing for consistent application across various geographies and evolving contexts.

Performance Indicators:

• Lead the team in developing and refining performance indicators to accurately measure programme outcomes and impacts, ensuring they reflect the unique goals of Blue Ventures’ four programme pillars.
• Ensure the team’s culturally relevant and community-centric performance indicators align with community values and donor requirements.
• Oversee the integration of performance indicators into donor reporting frameworks, ensuring transparency and alignment with expectations.
• Utilise data and trends to forecast potential future outcomes in conservation efforts.
• This will allow for proactive adjustments to programmatic strategies and enhance the overall impact of Blue Ventures’ interventions.

Data Flow and Management:

• Guide the team’s collaboration with the Data Science team to design data flows and pipelines that deliver fundamental indicator values and ensure timely access to programme data.
• Ensure the Programme Performance team maintains rigorous data quality, reliability, and validity standards across all programme metrics.
• Oversee the development of data access and visualisation platforms, ensuring the real-time delivery of programme data for internal and external stakeholders.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

• Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive monitoring frameworks, ensuring that programme progress and performance are tracked in an inclusive and participatory manner.
• Design and execute impact assessments to evaluate program effectiveness, using data to highlight successes and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure the Programme Performance team coordinates with teams across the organisation to integrate feedback into M&E processes, centralising local knowledge and perspectives in assessments.
• Collaboration with Data Science and Technical Knowledge Teams:
• Guide the Programme Performance team’s collaboration with the Data Science team to ensure alignment between programme metrics and data system infrastructure.
• Work closely with the Data Science team to integrate insights from advanced data science methodologies, such as machine learning and AI, to improve the precision and effectiveness of performance monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Coordinate with the Technical Knowledge team to ensure performance indicators effectively measure key outcomes and that the Programme Performance team’s data informs programmatic decisions.

Reporting and Knowledge Sharing:

• Lead the Programme Performance team in developing reporting mechanisms that effectively communicate findings to BV staff, partners, donors, and stakeholders, ensuring insights are actionable and accessible.
• Oversee the team’s efforts in knowledge sharing, ensuring that best practices and innovative approaches are disseminated internally and externally.

Capacity Building:

• Empower the Programme Performance team to build the capacity of staff, field teams, and partners in using performance indicators and M&E frameworks.
• Ensure the team provides training and support to foster active participation in assessing programme outcomes.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Lead the Programme Performance team in leveraging data to inform adaptive management.
• Ensure that performance data is used to adjust programme activities to meet community needs and organisational goals better.

Skills and experience Required

Education

• Advanced degree in Marine Conservation, Marine Ecology, Socioeconomics, Fisheries Management, International Development, Environmental Science, or a related field.

Experience

• Requires at least 10 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems, particularly in developing countries. Must have at least four years in a leadership role managing cross-functional teams.

Technical Expertise

• Skills in data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL) and data visualisation platforms (e.g., Power BI, RShiny), with the ability to interpret and communicate complex data effectively.
• Familiarity with advanced data technologies, such as machine learning and AI, and their application in monitoring and evaluation practices.
• Expertise in community-based fisheries management, with experience in food security, financial inclusion, and secure rights for fishing communities.
• Strong understanding of small-scale fisheries and the socio-economic challenges in fishing communities.
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and working collaboratively with local communities and external partners.
• Experience in managing MEL systems for programme performance, data analysis, and delivering insights for programme adjustments.
• Leadership and Communication Skills
• Strong leadership and team management skills, focusing on fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

Closing date for applications: 5 November 2024