Programme Manager – Inclusive Data at Sightsavers

About the role

The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), hosted at the UN Foundation, is a dynamic international partnership of over 700 organisations. GPSDD connects stakeholders to address data gaps and harness opportunities for sustainable development.

In 2018, GPSDD , Sightsavers and partners, launched the Inclusive Data Charter (IDC)  to promote inclusive, disaggregated data for better understanding and addressing the needs of marginalised people. The IDC has grown significantly, with commitments from over 30 Champions.

Sightsavers, a co-founding champion of the IDC, prioritises inclusive data to support its health and inclusion strategies. The Programme Manager - Inclusive Data will work across GPSDD and Sightsavers, managing strategic programmes and partnerships to advance inclusive data initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee IDC strategic planning and delivery, ensuring team collaboration with the IDC Technical Advisor and Advocacy Lead.
• Manage relationships with IDC champions, facilitating their engagement through regular calls and meetings.
• Foster partnerships between IDC champions, GPSDD partners, and other organisations to share experiences and strengthen inclusive data systems.
• Lead the IDC impact and learning pillar, capturing and sharing progress through data stories and knowledge products.
• Oversee budget development, monitoring, and reporting for IDC and Sightsavers, making resource allocation decisions.
• Collaborate with the IDC Advocacy Lead to identify advocacy opportunities and plan major IDC events.
• Support the Technical Advisor in providing resources and tools for Champions to develop and implement inclusive data action plans.
• Facilitate engagement of IDC co-facilitating partners, including GPSDD, Sightsavers, the UK’s Office for National Statistics and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
• Lead Sightsavers’ inclusive data portfolio globally, engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Line manage the Inclusive Data Project Manager and Inclusive Data Operations & Planning Coordinator, overseeing workplans and progress.
• Stay informed on trends in data disaggregation and inclusive data, including the SDGs and the goal to leave no one behind.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. 

Skills and Experience

The Programme Manager will provide programme leadership for the Inclusive Data Charter initiative, ensuring the development and delivery of agreed plans. You will coordinate the engagement of co-facilitating partners and ensure effective participation by Champions in Charter management. Additionally, you will advance reporting and learning mechanisms to track progress against Champion Action Plans.

The Programme Manager will oversee Sightsavers’ inclusive data programme at a global level, offering strategic leadership across the portfolio. Strengthening relationships with internal stakeholders and external strategic partners will be key to advancing organisational objectives and enhancing Sightsavers’ leadership in inclusive data.

Jobholder Requirements

Knowledge (education and related experience)

• Demonstrable experience in strategy, project management, advocacy and/or communications in international development or foreign policy
• Team leadership and staff management experience, preferably in a decentralised environment
• Proven ability to coordinate stakeholders across sectors and geography
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with people from a wide variety of organisations, cultures, and with a wide variety of functional expertise
• Experience with the Sustainable Development Goals, international development or work with marginalised groups required

Skills (training and competencies)

• Exceptional project & programme management skills, as well as writing and communications
• Ability to work in a networked team and with partners around the world virtually and in-person
• Ability to organize and prioritise work and manage time effectively with little supervision
• Project management qualification or equivalent experience desirable
• Strong planning, coordination and organisational skills, ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently and meet deadlines
• Budget development, management and reporting
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning experience desirable
• An understanding of and commitment to inclusion and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities