Head of Design Quality and Impact at The Maa Trust

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced candidate to join our team in the department of Design Monitoring Evaluation Accountability Learning (DMEAL) as Head of Design Quality and Impact reporting to Chief Operations Officer.
Overview

• The Head of Design Quality and Impact will lead the Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Leaming (DMEAL) team to guide in the effective conceptualization, development, implementation, and measurement of innovative, impactful, and sustainable community development programmes, aligned with The Maa Trust mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities. The incumbent will collaborate with the internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to design programmes that address key community challenges in the Maasai Mara landscape, secure funding, manage and assure quality of programme implementation, and achieve evidence-based outcomes and impact. The incumbent will further establish relevant policies, standards, and business processes to ensure an effective and efficient design, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and leaming function. The position will be based at The Maa Trust's HQ in the Maasai Mara, Narok County.

Roles and Responsibilities

Programme Design & Development

• Take lead in conducting robust research, needs assessments, and situational analyses to identify target issues and beneficiaries in the Maasai Mara landscape
• Apply expert knowledge, skills, experience and relevant tools and methodologies, in determining root-causes, articulating pathways to change, and establishing the theory of change (ToC) for development programmes and projects at The Mas Trust;
• In collaboration with the programmes team, and, where necessary, other external stakeholders, conceptualize and co-create sustainable solutions that address the root-causes of the identified critical challenges among the community.
• Ensure effective and seamless translation of strategy into programmes and from programmes into projects, as well as aligning donor funded project proposals to the programme designs:
• Develop clear programme results frameworks, including goals, outcomes, outputs, activities, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation indicators;
• Work with the field teams, technical experts, and partners to ensure programme relevance and feasibility: Contribute to the development of concept notes, proposals, and project plans for donors and stakeholders.

Quality Assurance and Accountability

• Ensure effective development and deployment of strategy and programme implementation procedures as well as operational guidelines, in fulfilling strategic priorities and programme goals:
• Ensure continued alignment of all programmes and projects to The Maa Trust strategic pillars and or priorities;
• Ensure the mainstreaming of critical cross-cutting themes including child protection and adult safeguarding. gender mainstreaming, and link to conservation, among others;
• Develop and deploy policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and business processes to monitor programme and project implementation to ensure adherence to donor and regulatory requirements, as well as meeting any specified sectoral/technical standards
• Supporting conservation through sustainable community development in the Maasai Mara
• Regularly conduct benchmarking studies and analysis with other development partners to draw lessons for continuous improvement of quality in programme and project management processes:
• Continually provide evidence to assure stakeholders that programme and project results (outputs, outcomes, and impact) meet expectations and are up to desired quality standards, while strongly demonstrating causal linkage to key programme interventions;
• Identify capacity development needs among programme teams and organize relevant training in programme. project management and MEL to ensure sustained quality standards.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Lead the MEL team in developing the results framework, articulating impact, outcomes, outputs and relevant indicators with their baselines and target measures:
• Lead and oversee development of robust MEL systems to track programme performance and achievement of set outcomes and goals and areas for improvement;
• Lead in preparation of technical reports and content for impact reports to be disseminated to stakeholders, highlighting achievements;
• Incorporate quality reporting mechanisms such as peer review, benchmarking, and continuous capacity building to ensure sustained quality reporting standards;
• Organize and conduct reflection and learning forums for programme team, and identifying key improvement areas and adaptive management interventions;
• Ensure evidence-based decision-making by integrating data and lessons learned into subsequent programme design and operations:
• Develop departmental risk register, ensure its implementation to mitigate risks and ensure accountability. D. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in ensuring effective planning and implementation of DMEAL function's goals and plans;
• Ensure successful engagement of DMEAL team with the relevant external stakeholders, including community, local leaders, county and national government departments, research entities, among others in fulfilment of the function's mandate:
• Coordinate the DMEAL team in supporting other departments such as communication, resource development, and finance in providing relevant information and data required for various reporting purposes;
• Ensure preparation and presentation to the Board of Trustees of quarterly impact reports highlighting progress in programme implementation, achievements, challenges, risks and mitigations, and applied adaptive management mechanisms for continued effectiveness in implementation.

Team Management

• Clearly communicates the organisation's strategy, goals and objectives to the DMEAL team, in development of clear departmental goals and plans;
• Lead and manage the DMEAL team, to deliver on set goals providing guidance, support, and mentorship to team members:
• Conduct regular performance appraisals and ensures the team is on track to fulfilling the department's expectations effectively and efficiently.
• Lead and provide mentorship and coaching to ensures that the DMEAL team upholds quality standards in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Supporting conservation through sustainable community development in the Maasai Mara
• Foster a collaborative and inspiring work environment that encourage creativity, innovation, and professional growth;
• Allocate resources effectively to meet communication objectives and ensures the team operates efficiently. Identify training needs and opportunities for team members to enhance their skills and capabilities. Organizes workshops, seminars, and training sessions to improve DMEAL skills and knowledge:
• Encourages continuous learning and professional development to keep the team updated with industry trends.

QUALITICATIONS
Education and Experience

• The incumbent should possess a Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, or any of the fields of Social Sciences, Programme/Project Management, or Strategic Management;
• Professional certification in programme/project management standards, and where possible certification specifically for humanitarian and development NGOs:
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in programme management, with a focus on programme design, quality assurance and impact measurement in a development NGO or similar organization:
• Demonstrated success in leading diverse teams and managing multi-sector programmes;
• Strong experience with donor reporting and compliance (e.g. USAID, EU, UN agencies, DFID among others).

Skills

• Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking and planning abilities;
• Advanced knowledge and skills in programme design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning methodologies, including measurement and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative variables;
• Strong project management skills;
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills;
• Proficiency in programme management tools, research methods, data analysis software, and donor platforms