Programme Manager: Strengthening Activists and Defenders (STAND)

• Coordinate donor reporting and compliance, working with Fundraising and Marketing, Finance and partners to ensure accurate and timely submissions
• Oversee programme budgets, expenditure, forecasts and grant amendments, escalating significant financial or compliance issues
• Maintain effective project management, risk and audit systems, including risks arising from insecure and restrictive operating contexts

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Coordinate implementation of the project's MEL framework with the MEL Manager, supporting partners to establish baselines, track results and use evidence to strengthen delivery
• Coordinate the planning and delivery of STAND shared learning spaces and partner convenings in close collaboration with the MEL Manager and Regional GFP Managers and the Advocacy Manager
• Ensure that evidence and learning from STAND contribute to Womankind’s wider organisational knowledge and practice

Partner Institutional Strengthening and Safeguarding

• Coordinate partner-led organisational strengthening, including safeguarding, governance, financial management, risk management and information security
• Work with relevant teams to ensure safeguarding, data protection, wellbeing and protection considerations are embedded across the programme

Advocacy, Communications and Representation

• Collaborate with the P&A Manager assigned to the project to support partners and WHRDs to engage in regional and international advocacy spaces
• Work in conjunction with the P&A Manager assigned to the project to ensure the STAND project and Womankind are represented in relevant external fora, and relationships with peer organisations and networks working on WHRD protection are cultivated
• Work with the Communications team to coordinate STAND’s internal and external communications to disseminate learning and strengthen the visibility of WHRD’s

Travel and working arrangements:

• International travel to STAND project countries and other relevant locations will be required, where safe and operationally feasible. All travel will be subject to appropriate risk assessment and security arrangements
• Given the six-country, multi-time-zone scope of the role, occasional early-morning or evening meetings should be expected

Key relationships and collaboration:

• Internally: Grantmaking and Feminist Partnership team, Policy and Advocacy Team, MEL Manager; Finance Team, Fundraising Team & Communications Team
• Externally: STAND partners (AWN, EWLA, YWLI, WHR, WIPC, WCoZ); Norad; WHRD networks and coalitions

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Qualification and training:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in international development, gender studies, human rights, social sciences, or a related field
• Training or demonstrated learning in feminist approaches to MEL, programme management and Grantmaking; women's rights, gender equality, or human rights defence (formal or informal)
• Safeguarding training or demonstrated experience applying survivor-centred and trauma-informed approaches
• Training or practical experience in programme/project cycle management, ideally with statutory or institutional donors

Essential Experience:

• Experience managing multi-country, donor-funded programmes or consortia throughout the project cycle, including work planning, partner coordination and reporting against shared outcomes and deadlines
• Experience managing substantial multi-partner budgets and forecasts, with a strong understanding of statutory donor compliance and reporting requirements. Experience with Norad or a similar donor would be an advantage
• Demonstrable MEL experience, including tracking results, supporting partners to generate and use evidence, and coordinating cross-country learning and exchange
• Direct experience working with WRO’s, feminist movements and/or WHRDs
• Experience managing programme risk and adapting delivery in politically sensitive, insecure or rapidly changing contexts
• Experience applying safeguarding and ethical data-management principles, including the secure handling of sensitive information and survivor-centred responses to risk

Desirable:

• Experience working with organizations, movements or activists in at least one STAND project country
• Knowledge of protection mechanisms for human rights defenders operating in restrictive or shrinking civic space
• Experience engaging donors or representing programmes in regional or international advocacy spaces

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong commitment to feminist values and women’s rights, with an understanding of intersectional and anti-racist approaches
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to analyze evidence, produce clear reports and communicate complex issues simply
• Strong coordination, facilitation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work respectfully across cultures and power dynamics
• Sound judgement and integrity, with the ability to navigate sensitive issues and competing donor, organisational and partner priorities while upholding feminist partnership principles

All posts are expected to contribute towards developing a supportive working environment, to demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, 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 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.

Working hours: 3 days per week (0.6 FTE)

Reporting to: Director of Grantmaking and Feminist Partnership

Grade/Level: 3

Contract: 3 year fixed term