Terms of Reference: Program Quality and Accountability Specialist

Terms of Reference: Program Quality and Accountability Specialist

The Program Quality and Accountability Specialist oversees the quality of delivery across 4-5 projects, visits project sites regularly, and reports findings directly to the Board.

Position summary

Key responsibilities

Quality assurance and oversight

• Develop and maintain a program quality framework, standards and checklists applied across all 4-5 projects.
• Review project plans, work plans, budgets and deliverables to confirm they meet agreed quality standards, donor requirements and organizational policies.
• Track implementation progress against targets, timelines and budgets, and flag risks or delays early to project teams and management.
• Conduct periodic quality reviews and spot checks, and follow up on corrective actions until closed.

Field visits and verification

• Carry out scheduled and unannounced field visits to each project site, at least [once per quarter per project].
• Verify that activities are delivered as planned, to the right participants, and to the required standard.
• Meet with beneficiaries, partners and local stakeholders to gather feedback and observations.
• Write a short visit report with findings, ratings and agreed actions within [5] working days of each visit.                                       

Accountability to communities and partners

• Set up and manage feedback and complaints mechanisms accessible to all community members, including women, children, persons with disabilities and marginalized groups.
• Ensure complaints, including safeguarding and misconduct concerns, are logged, referred and resolved following organizational policy.
• Promote adherence to safeguarding, PSEA, do-no-harm and code of conduct standards.
• Share project results and learning back with communities in an accessible way.

Learning and capacity building

• Analyze quality findings across projects and identify recurring issues, good practices and lessons.
• Coach project staff and partners on quality standards, data quality and accountability practices.
• Support project teams to review and improve data collection tools and reporting.

Reporting to the Board

• Prepare a quarterly program quality and accountability report for the Board, covering delivery status, quality ratings, risks, complaints and corrective actions.
• Present findings to the Board and recommend decisions or actions where needed.
• Support external audits, donor monitoring visits and evaluations by providing evidence and documentation.

Qualifications and experience

Required

• Master's degree (or Bachelor's with additional experience) in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Project Management or a related field.
• At least seven years of experience in quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, program management or accountability in the development or humanitarian sector.
• Proven experience overseeing multiple projects at once and working with donor-funded programs.
• Strong knowledge of quality standards, results frameworks, safeguarding, PSEA and community accountability approaches.
• Strong analytical, report-writing and presentation skills, including experience reporting to senior management or a Board.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to field sites, including remote areas.
• Fluency in English and Nepali both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data tools (Excel; experience with KoboToolbox or similar is an advantage).

Preferred

• Training or certification in project management, quality management or M&E.
• Familiarity with standards and donor-specific compliance rules.
• Experience in coaching or training field teams and partners.

Key competencies

• Integrity, objectivity and the confidence to raise difficult findings.
• Constructive working style with project teams and partners.
• Attention to detail, with a focus on practical solutions.
• Sensitivity to gender, inclusion and local context.

Working conditions and how to apply

• Based at the Kathmandu office, with field travel to project sites ; estimated at [30-40%] of working time.
• CREASION is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding. Women and candidates from marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks.

To apply, send the following to jobs@creasion.org with the subject line "Program Quality and Accountability Specialist" by 15 Nov, 2026

1. A cover letter explaining your interest and fit for the role
2. An updated CV with contact details of three referees
3. Copies of relevant certificates

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.