Program Quality Manager Job in Kenya

Reporting to the Assistant Country Director – Programs, the purpose of this position is to ensure CARE Kenya embraces program quality and learning as a priority area in the organization’s effort towards shifting to Program Approach. 

The incumbent will work with the ACD - Programs in leading CARE international in Kenya to move from a project based approach to an integrated program with the aim of achieving higher quality programming and greater impact.

Job Description

Job Title: Program Quality Manager
Department/Project: ACDP Office
Supervisor: ACDP
Location/Duty Station: Nairobi
Grade: H

Job Summary & Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to ensure CARE Kenya embraces programme quality and learning as a priority area in the organization’s effort towards shifting to Program Approach. 

The Program Quality Manager will work with the ACD P in leading CARE international in Kenya to move from a project based approach to an integrated programme with the aim of achieving higher quality programming and greater impact. 

The Program Quality Manager is expected to take a lead role in monitoring programme implementation for impact achieved on our identified impact groups. 

S/he should also ensure that all programmes have systems to monitor adherence to CARE’s programming principles and approaches (e.g. CI programming principles, programme approaches and programme characteristics, CARE’s unifying framework, Rights Based Approaches, etc) and abide by agreed CARE standards; s/he will also be responsible for supporting the ACD P in facilitating updating and reviewing of LRSP and guiding the CO towards implementation of the long range strategic plan. 

The following are the key result areas to be achieved by the Program Quality Manager;

1. The Programme Quality Manager is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the LRSP process for CARE International in Kenya, and advising on establishing systems for implementation of a programme approach. Monitoring and evaluation staff in each sector will participate in this work through a monitoring team, which will be chaired by the programme quality manager.
2. Responsible for the introduction and development of the required systems and approaches to improve program quality through impact measurement, learning and reflective practice in all programmes in CARE international in Kenya. Knowledge management and staff learning and development have specific staff leading on them, and the responsibility of the programme quality manager is to ensure that these efforts are informed by monitoring and evaluation of programme implementation.
3. The Programme Quality Manager will support capacity building of all CARE International in Kenya staff and provide technical support in the area of programme approaches, including our theory of change and unifying frameworks to adequately support staff for implementation of our strategic plan.

The Programme Quality Manager will lead the newly created programme unit, comprising the Program Quality Manager, the Advocacy Adviser, the Knowledge Management Coordinator and the Accountability Officer. 

These different posts all have responsibilities cutting across the CO, but the Program Quality Manager will be responsible for performance appraisals, budget monitoring for the unit and administrative support functions for the team such as leave planning.

Tasks and responsibilities.

R 1: Guiding development and implementation of CO impact measurement systems (%)
Tasks

• Advise the Assistant Country Director and the senior management team on revision of the LRSP and programme approach roadmap.
• Facilitate the continuing review and monitoring of the LRSP, recommending additional research needs as necessary.
• Take a leading role in the monitoring and evaluation of programme interventions and their impact on our agreed impact groups
• Support and facilitate the development of sound theories of change for the 4 impact groups and ensure that these theories of change are aligned to CARE Kenya’s overarching theory of change for women and girls in Kenya.
• Facilitate periodic and rigorous situational analysis for each impact group to monitor our impact on the underlying causes of poverty and vulnerability.
• Support the programme sectors in making transition to a programme approach; in developing their own strategies and realign their portfolios and future programming to the needs of the impact groups and overall programme approach
• Monitor and review the programme theory of change and programme implementation strategies for each of the impact groups identified.
• S/he should also advise ACD P on all programmes in CARE Kenya, to ensure that these are all are grounded in CARE’s programming principles and approaches and ensure all programmes (both long term and emergency response programmes) address the underlying causes of poverty. This will be through working with the monitoring and evaluation staff of each sector, including chairing the monitoring and evaluation team of the CO.
• Support the Sector managers and the ACD P in the selection of strategic partnerships that are aimed at increasing CARE’s impact and commitment to women and girls
• Ensure national level impact indicators for each impact group is developed and monitored.
• Work with programme staff to ensure that all programs have coherent impact measurement systems in place, and that these systems are linked into the CO knowledge management system and generate the required evidence for learning and advocacy.
• Work closely with the accountability officer to ensure accountability and compliance mechanisms are established and functional both at the country office and our field level.
• Liaise with CI and CMP monitoring and evaluation staff to ensure integration of systems between CO and CI systems.

R2: Management of programme unit (10%)
Tasks

• Supervise advocacy, knowledge management and accountability staff of the programme unit and provide oversight in the implementation of the unit deliverables as well as staff management including leave and travel planning.
• Manage the budget of the programme unit.
• Work with the ACD P to develop unit annual operating plan and ensure the implementation and review of these plans
• Carry out staff performance appraisals and identify capacities within the unit that need further development

R3: Capacity building of staff and technical Support (15%)
Tasks

• Guide and support the technical advisors, M&E Coordinators and sector managers in implementation and monitoring of our programme approach.
• Continue working with the communications team on providing updates to CARE staff on progress made on our strategic plan and implementation of the programme approach
• Provide input in the design of new proposals to ensure the needs of impact groups are addressed and new proposals are developed in accordance with CARE Kenya’s programme approach.
• Provide technical assistance in performance monitoring, programme evaluation, dissemination and utilization of information.
• Undertake regular programme monitoring and evaluation visits in collaboration with sector management.
• Assist in the review of evaluation, baselines and other researches done at the country office.
• Contribute to the development of the CO operating plan, ensuring alignment with programme approach and achievement of annual target indicators.
• Provide technical support to sectors in carrying out underlying causes of poverty research and ensure all future researches and baselines are done using the underlying causes of poverty, CARE’s unifying framework and gender lenses.
• Review of Technical Briefing Papers produced by sectors.

R4: Emergency preparedness and response (5%)

• Work with the national emergency coordinator to ensure that issues of emergency preparedness and response include analysis of specific needs of impact groups in emergency response.
• Support the emergency team in timely assessment, monitoring and review of emergency initiatives
• Support the emergency team in developing an M&E framework that seeks to integrate accountability, performance review and use of lessons-learned to guide decision-making and institutional learning within CIK programming and CARE International

R5: Any other appropriate duties assigned by supervisor
Authority:

1. Spending Authority: Up to $5,000 (KSh400,000)
2. Supervision: Three staff – advocacy adviser, accountability officer, knowledge management coordinator
3. Decision Making: strategic, analytical and research decision making.

Contacts/Key Relationships (Internal & External):

• The Program Quality Manager is a member of the senior management team, and so will have close contact with all other members of this team.
• The Program Quality Manager reports directly to Assistant Country Director programmes
• Apart from three direct reports, the manager will work closely with Sector Managers, Programme Coordinators, Project Managers, M&E Coordinators, MIS and finance units.
• Coordinates with CI Programme quality and learning personnel and Regional management unit technical personnel and other stakeholders in the implementation of the programme approach.

Working Conditions:

Position is based in Nairobi with up to 25 % travel to the field offices.

Qualifications and experience Required

• Bachelors degree – in Social Science, Statistics, Project management or any other relevant field.
• At least seven years experience in monitoring and evaluation in development programs and two years experience in staff management.
• Excellent written, verbal English and presentation/communication skills. Knowledge on GIS is an added advantage.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and highly organized and able to multitask.
• Demonstrable ability to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation systems and plans

Desirable

• Post graduate education in relevant area
• In depth understanding of underlying causes of poverty and vulnerability analysis in Kenya with good knowledge of the political, economic, social and technological environment is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge on the development of theory of change desired
• Knowledge of statistical computer packages e.g. SPSS, EPI-INFO etc.
• Senior management experience in development agency
• Extensive knowledge of CARE programme approach, programming principles and frameworks is an added advantage

Skills

1. People Skills: Ability to work both independently and as a team player .The post holder needs to be able to work independently whilst supporting a wider team of monitoring and evaluation staff in other departments as well as the team in the his/her unit and demonstrates leadership. The post holder needs to demonstrate diplomacy, good communication skills, possess excellent analytical skills, facilitation skills, and the ability to work as a team player.
2. Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to CARE's core values and humanitarian principles.
3. Resilience/adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under difficult circumstances and to interact effectively with a geographically dispersed multicultural team.

Applications

If you feel you meet the requirements for this position, send your application indicating the reference number , title of the position along with an updated CV  and telephone contacts of three professional referees to: 

The Human Resources & Development Manager, 

CARE International in Kenya, 

Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke. 

So as to be received not later than 21st December, 2012. 

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. (Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).