Programme Director (PD)

Our Vision: “ Our commitment to all children, to have opportunity for quality education”

WORK CONTEXT/ BACKGROUND: 

In 2000, Rural Education and Environment Development Centre (REED-Nepal) was established with the goal of ensuring quality education for Nepali children. The Education Program Manager (EPM) is responsible for delivering the Teachers Training Quality Education (TTQE) program funded by the Australian Himalayan Foundation in accordance with the Monitoring & Evaluation plan of the program. The TTQE program is an innovative approach to deliver quality, inclusive education to the children of lower Solukhumbu through key program outcomes. The EPL will be responsible to implement the program following the program design; review the implementation through participatory approaches and upgrade the program continuously to ensure adaptability and innovation. S/he will supervise the education program team with coordination MEAL manager to deliver programmatic results as per the annual plan. To ensure a strong evidence based program development, the EPM will manage and deliver on a rigorous M&E plan that includes data collection, analysis and reporting as agreed with AHF. The EPM will be responsible to report to the major donor AHF as per their requirements.

Key Position Information

Job Title

Programme Director (PD)

Position Location

70% Kathmandu and 30% Fields/Projects

Position Reports To

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

No. Direct Report:

06

Decision Making Authority

With REED policy and procedure.

Key Objectives of the Position

Major Responsibilities:

• Manage and lead the program team and ensure quality delivery of all the  REED programs 
• Lead and manage by motivating program staff to remain optimistic even when faced with challenges and encouraging good performance and values
• In coordination with CEO develop and implement staff professional development plan of program team and fill in the gaps to support the staff as per the need 
• With  the CEO and board lead efforts  to write proposals and secure long –term funding for organisation
• Ensure excellent coordination and communication between the funding partners and REED 
• Sustain an effective level of communication, co-ordination and liaison with local, national and international partners, Ministry of Education and stakeholders
• Create programs and challenges that are as effective and efficient as possible
• Ensure that all implemented activities are relevant to the mission and vision of the organization
• In coordination with CEO, refine the current HR system to motivate the employees and ensure the culture of 'team work' 
• Organize, plan and carry out planned activities effectively, using participatory methods with all stakeholders, particularly for children, and raise any issues related to plans.
• Develop communication and coordination strategies with Donor organizations and take a lead in implementing the strategy in coordination with program team
• Co-ordinate and work with national and international training institutions related to teacher training according to the government policy.
• Refine the existing Monitoring and Evaluation system of programs to ensure the quality delivery and long-term sustainability of programs 
• Review cash and budget forecasts regularly and ensure through the program and finance team that the variance between forecast and the spending is kept at the minimal.  - Ensure that there is close coordination between finance and the program team on reconciling spending with ongoing program implementation, thus ensuring that reports to Donors are accurate and sent in a timely manner.
• Continuously improve program delivery and manage risks with the development of an effective monitoring and evaluation of REED Nepal’s programs and performance together with accurate analysis and quality reporting to donors and other stakeholders
• Contribute to periodic performance management activities, particularly in the appraisal of performance against job descriptions and work ethics
• Maintain access to, and familiarity with, relevant donors policies, guidelines and regulations
• Lead the project team in developing project strategies, implementing project, report writing and influencing policies related to:
• Strengthening capacities of district program team to achieve program related objectives 
• Enhancing technical and community level work of the team 
• Strengthening and capacitating the current team in project related objectives 
• Developing and disseminating key learning documents and collaborate amongst likeminded organizations to influence policy makers and other stakeholders

Person Specification

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree (preferred) in Education/Sociology/ Management or other relevant field.
• Master’s Degree with minimum of 5 years working experience or Bachelor’s Degree with Minimum of 7 years working experience at the management level (preferably in I/NGO sector).
• Strong operational management ability: a clear focus on results – sets goals, plans and prioritizes effectively, monitors quality and progress of work against plans
• Should have prior proven record of long-termprogram development in education 
• Experience in education Strategy Development and Implementation will be an added value to the position
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Strong budgeting and financial management 
• A sound understanding of challenges in the sector of education with focus in government school system  
• Ability to liaise and conduct business with senior levels of government and I/NGOs. 
• Exceptional analysis and reporting skills 
• Demonstrated ability in developing excellent internal and external communication tools 
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through informal and formal trainings 
• Ability to travel frequently to districts where REED operates. The job requires at least 30% of time travelling to the fields/projects