Programme Manager: Innovation and Partnerships

Job Description

Role Purpose

The Programme Manager: Innovation and Partnerships position provides strategic development and insight into the design and management of programmes in Womankind’s focus countries in Africa and Asia. The role is core to our strategy to work with a cross section of actors within and across feminist movements.

The Programme Manager: Innovation and Partnerships will work together with Womankind partners to explore and identify the challenges and opportunities they face, and to support the design and programming of initiatives relating to Womankind’s strategy ‘Our Feminist Future’ (2030). This includes particular focus on the delivery of the Feminist Partnerships sub-strategy. The bedrock of our new strategy is our focus on strengthening feminist movements and to actively be an anti-racist organisation. This role like other roles will ensure that those two components are well integrated and centred in all their work.

Although part of the Programmes and Learning team, the Programme Manager: Innovation and Partnerships will contribute to the overall work of the Policy, Programmes & Learning team. This team is multidisciplinary and encompasses programme management (Programmes and Learning team) and policy and advocacy, and communications (Policy and Communications team).

This role will also work closely with team members throughout the rest of the organisation, through the ‘whole organisation’ approach we take to our work. This will include working in collaboration with the Fundraising and Marketing team on developing and implementing new funding streams including participatory grant making, Feminist Organisational Capacity Strengthening (FOCS), and supporting engagement with women’s funds.

The role reports to the Director Programmes & Learning and has five key areas of responsibility:

Responsibilities

Programme development, design and management

• To lead on programme design with partners and colleagues for funding bids to co-create projects and initiatives in line with focus country strategies.
• To develop strong and resilient relationships through the delivery of the Feminist Partnerships sub-strategy including engagement with leaders and core staff members of partners in focus countries to strengthen Womankind’s unique partnership model.
• To lead on the development and delivery of Womankind’s participatory grantmaking pilot and subsequent roll out.
• To contribute to the delivery of the Feminist Organisational Capacity Strengthening (FOCS) initiative and grantmaking process.

• The programme management of key Womankind programmes/projects ensuring donor and internal compliance and technical quality assurance.
• To adopt and promote best feminist practice in all aspects of the role including in relation to the wider organisation and Womankind’s programmes and partnerships approach.

• To share updates on the development portfolio and emerging plans with the Fundraising & Marketing team to support their work to match funding opportunities with programmatic priorities.

Contribution to knowledge and evidence base

• To contribute to Womankind’s documentation of experience and learning from programmes and partnerships.
• To contribute to the internal knowledge base of documents, reports and other materials on trends and developments in the sector in relation to Womankind partners or programmes and signpost key information to colleagues.
• To lead regular Country Coordination Meetings and contribute to the delivery of cross partner learning sessions.

Programme support - Management of 2 Officers

• To line manage and support two colleagues, the Policy and Programmes Officer (PPO) and the Programme Management Officer (PMO) with particular emphasis on their support to PPL led projects and programmes. This may include opportunities to lead on project management and design with appropriate support, and participation in project groups on projects that span the breadth of the PPL team including those that focus on policy, advocacy or communications.
• To develop the PPO and PMO ensuring good line management practice, peer support and team working.
• To ensure that the PPO and PMO have opportunity to acquire or strengthen the required skills and knowledge to deliver on agreed project and team work plans.
• To contribute to the team culture of individual, career and team development, including timely, effective appraisal and support for agreed development opportunities.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning

• To develop and contribute to effective and appropriate technical monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes including in project design and for donor and internal reporting.
• To contribute to the technical and strategic direction of the PPL team.
• To contribute to strategic level policy, planning and systems development in relation to Womankind’s programmes, partnerships, financing, learning and sustainability.
• To contribute to the development of Womankind as a learning organisation and a knowledge organisation.

Representation

• To represent Womankind in events and other fora in relation to programmes and partnerships (UK and international depending on opportunities). This includes engagement with academics, funders, media, policy and decision makers and other international and national NGOs and WROs.
• To participate in networks and learning events relevant to Womankind programmes and partnerships.
• To cultivate good relationships with a wide range of women’s rights and international development agencies in the UK and internationally.

The ideal candidate must be committed to the mission, vision, values and aims of Womankind Worldwide as it seeks to support and speak out about women’s human rights. All posts are expected to contribute towards developing a supportive working environment, to demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and respect, transparency and accountability and to uphold quality standards as outlined in policies and procedures, and in compliance with Womankind Worldwide’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

The post holder will be required to travel to London to attend and participate in key meetings in order to fulfil their duties, as the situation allows. This will remain appropriate to constraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The role also undertakes other responsibilities not outlined above which are commensurate with a role of this nature and which have been discussed and agreed with the line manager.

Reporting Structure

This post reports to: Director, Programmes & Learning

This post line manages 2 roles: Policy & Programmes Officer (PPO) and Programme Management Officer (PMO)

Person Specification

Essential Experience and Skills

• Experience in strategic planning and programme management in support of women’s rights

• Leading complex, multi-project national programme development based around civil society actors, including feminist movements, networks and CSOs

• Experience of implementing large scale, complex, national and regional programmes, based on feminist approaches with civil society actors

• Financial management, including programme budgeting and financial reporting and analysis skills

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) skills with specific focus on co-creating, developing and using tools with programme partners

• Experience of programme and project design and working with multi-disciplinary teams / developing capacity to translate knowledge and ideas into strong programmatic initiatives at national and regional levels

• Experience of successfully working with consultants, academic institutions, think tanks and other potential allies

• Ability to identify, analyse, problem-solve and respond to external opportunities and challenges, and the ability to translate opportunities into practical plans of action

• Very strong interpersonal communication and writing skills (in English)

• Demonstrable skills and track record as a strong, collegial team player who contributes to a creative and supportive work environment

• Excellent line management track record and developmental approach

Desirable Experience and Skills

• Experience of working on women’s human rights, and/or the rights of persons with disabilities including work with Women’s Rights Organisations and those led by women with disabilities
• Experience of participatory grantmaking
• Experience of responsible exit process development and delivery in relation to partners and programmes

Essential Knowledge

• Knowledge of current development theory and practice, including a sound knowledge of women’s human rights and feminist approaches

Personal Situation

• Ability and willingness to undertake overseas travel when appropriate (potential 2-4 weeks a year – indicative).

Terms and conditions

• Hours 35 hours
• Salary £49,081 per annum
• Contract Permanent
• Probationary period 6 months
• Holidays 33 days per annum plus statutory holidays (3 of these days are to be taken over the Christmas and new year period when the office is closed).
• Pension Womankind has a contributory pension scheme in place
• Other benefits We offer a wide range of flexible working options, enhanced maternity leave, group pension scheme and free eye tests

Please explain in your Cover Letter, how you meet each essential and desirable requirements of this role!

This position is located in the UK with hybrid working including presence at Womankind’s London office and at key events. This role does not comply with the criteria required for visa sponsorship, therefore you must currently possess the right to work in the UK.

Please upload your Cover Letter in the “additional files” section and include why you think you meet each essential and desirable requirement for this role!

NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.