Deputy Director – Evidence and Learning

BACKGROUND

“Women’s Integrated Sexual Health” (WISH) is IPPFs flagship health programme to transform the lives of millions of women and girls. Funded by FCDO WISH provides integrated and holistic healthcare to communities in need across 12 countries in Africa from 2018-2023.

Through a consortium of five internationally recognised organisations and 7 IPPF Member Associations led by IPPF the WISH programme provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to ensure equitable access to integrated sexual health through the gateway of family planning and promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The programme prioritises the most underserved women and girls, particularly youth under 20, the very poor, and marginalized populations (including people with disability, people displaced or affected by humanitarian crisis, and people living in hard-to-reach areas). This position also oversees Evidence and Learning in the 3 countries in the MSI led WISH Lot 1 project.

In order to implement and manage this project IPPF the position requires a talented, dynamic and diverse team with, broad experience in implementing global family planning and sexual and reproductive health (FP/SRH) programmes, commercial expertise, proven contract management, and the ability to deliver on donor requirements including through a payment by results approach.

1. JOB PURPOSE

Describe why the job exists.

The Deputy Director – Evidence and Learning role, which reports to the Project Director, is part of a team of highly skilled professionals leading a global consortium to deliver a large, multi-country, FCDO-funded integrated Family Planning and Reproductive Health programme. IPPF’s hold primary responsibility for contact with The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The role will support global and national partners to achieve project goals and provide technical and programmatic support.

This role drives the generation of evidence to improve programming and shares evidence for other practitioners and policymakers on what works in increasing uptake of family planning and SRH services among target populations (e.g., youth under age 20 and people living in extreme poverty, with a disability, and/or in humanitarian situations). The Deputy Director strategically positions the programme to address gaps in the global evidence base and ensures that learning is integrated horizontally across countries and vertically within the public and private sectors.

Overseeing a team of approximately seven M&E and data experts and coordinating across the programme, the Deputy Director ensures that robust data is available for multiple purposes: informing programme strategies; monitoring progress on KPIs and identifying where course corrections are needed; informing the development of scorecards and other tools for increasing national ownership and sustainability; and generating evidence to support health systems strengthening and address knowledge gaps.

The Deputy Director advises the programme team, donor, third party monitor(TPM) consortium partner leads, IPPF colleagues, and key stakeholders in the SRH sector on learning and evidence aspects of the programme. Specific responsibilities include:

2. KEY TASKS

Describe the main activities undertaken by the job holder. The list need not be exhaustive but should reflect the most important features of the job.

1. Lead all programme efforts related to evidence, data and learning.

2. Oversee and Lead the project M&E team, including working within the senior project management team .

3. Spearhead innovative and rigorous approaches to generate evidence and contribute to global goods.

4. Lead and model the use of data for WISH performance management, decision-making and course correction

5. Liaise with all partners to align generation of evidence for programming needs and ensure ownership

6. Ensure the capture of accurate and auditable data, including liaising with third party monitoring agency and research and evaluation contractors.

7. Provide oversight for the development and management of custom data systems, DHIS2 products and other data apps as needed.

8. Lead on the communication of the project’s learning and results through papers, case studies and conferences.

9. Act as a thought leader in strategic technical events addressing the projects relevant metrics and evidence

10. Engage with Stakeholders at the highest level within the project team, IPPF Senior Management, Consortium Partners and FCDO on evidence, results and data.

11. To ensure gender is effectively mainstreamed within the remit of the post and in line with IPPF’s Gender Equality Policy.

12. To build and maintain positive relationships with all members of staff, and contacts within and outside the Federation.

13. To become familiar with the Federation’s Health and Safety Programme and Guidelines for using Visual Display Units. To do everything possible to ensure a healthy and safe working environment, including following instructions and guidance.

14. To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be requested from time to time.

15. The candidate must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding in local and international context and demonstrate a willingness to sign and adhere to IPPF’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

Describe: a) staff responsibilities carried out by the job holder.

Responsible for the recruitment, capacity building and people management of the M&E team (7)

b) financial responsibilities carried out by the job holder.

Budget control of the M&E component of the programme

c) advisory responsibilities carried out by the job holder.

To advise the Senior Project Management Team, Project team, CO and RO colleagues, stakeholders and consortium partner leads on the learning and evidence aspects of the project.

Responsible for interpreting, disseminating and supporting the integration of evidence into practice.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

4. EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Describe the likely educational/training background of the job holder.

Master’s degree in a relevant subject or qualified by experience

5**. PROVEN ABILITY**

Describe the minimum level of professional experience required to do the job.

· Excellent technical knowledge related to data ecosystems, data analysis and generation of evidence for action in improved programming.

· Extensive experience in a senior monitoring, evidence and learning position, responsible for implementing M&E activities of international development projects, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health.

· Significant exposure to Evidence and Learning aspects of programme management particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

· Significant experience of leading, engaging and managing teams in multi-country areas and across different time zones

· Demonstrated understanding of donor relations and reporting, especially with FCDO, is essential.

· Experience managing or providing support to FCDO (or similar institution) payment by results funded initiatives desirable.

· Understanding and experience with Value for Money (VfM) indicators, frameworks and analysis.

· Excellent technical knowledge / understanding of quality of care within integrated FP and SRH service delivery and programming

· Knowledge or technical expertise and skills in quality assurance systems in SRH or health programmes implementing quality assurance standards highly preferred

6. SKILLS

Detail the skills needed to do the job, including languages.**

· Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to influence and negotiate.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

· Strong leadership skills including the ability to effectively engage a range of stakeholders

· Excellent staff and team management skills – including global / virtual management.

· First rate quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.

· Excellent project management skills including experience of reporting to donor agencies.

· Excellent budget management skills.

· Excellent time management skills able to meet tight deadlines.

· Fluent English essential. French, Arabic or Portuguese an advantage.

· Excellent IT skills.

7. PERSONAL COMPETENCE

Describe the characteristics of effective job performance, eg. sound judgement, ability to maintain confidentiality.

· Willing to travel internationally – about 60 days a year.

· Cultural sensitivity