The purpose of the position is to provide methodological support and strategic insight to programme development.
Responsibilities:
People First programme development support: Act as the ‘go to’ person on participatory evidence based programme development methodologies. Provide hands on methodological support and strategic oversight to programme/project development to ensure that our interventions are pro poor, accountable to primary actors and partners, address systemic exclusions that result in poverty, take a systems approach that incorporates the 3 elements of sustainable development (social, economic and environmental) and reflect the principles and expectations of VSOs People First Framework. Develop a database of consultants and internal expertise to support participatory, evidence-based programme development.
Quality control: Interrogate and advise on proposed programme/project methodologies and theories of change. Work with Thematic Advisors to ensure our approaches draw on the latest knowledge in the sector. Work with colleagues in MEL to ensure we are measuring the right things.
Development practice: Support the development of effective programming practice in country offices and VSO as a whole. Ensure country offices have or are acquiring and enhancing the knowledge and skills in development methodologies required by VSO’s People First Framework, are putting them into practice and can demonstrate quality reflective practice.
Promote and provoke critical dialogue between staff, volunteers, partners and primary actors about methodological approaches – what works, what doesn’t, strategies and innovation.
Essential Desirable
Substantial experience in the development, implementation and management of participatory development programmes.
Significant hands on experience of working through participatory development methodologies as a practitioner and as a strategist.
Skills in facilitating a range of key development processes as a practitioner and a trainer e.g. Gender analysis, poverty analysis, stakeholder mapping, social exclusion analysis, value for money analysis, environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment, economic impact assessment and intervention analysis, participatory rapid appraisal, participatory action research, participatory monitoring and evaluation and other participatory methodologies.
Experience of working effectively with theories of change.
Demonstrable capacity in communicating strategy, models and change processes visually, as presentations and as written narratives.
Experience of working in a development context in Africa or Asia
Travel: Frequent global travel (approximately 25%)
Desirable Thematic expertise in one or more of VSOs key programmes areas would be an advantage: education, health, secure livelihoods, participation and governance, gender or climate change.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send your detailed CV to khanyi.mkhize@vsoint.org
