Head of Programme Development & Quality

About Terre des Hommes

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is part of the International Federation of Terre des Hommes organisations, a strategic partnership of member organisations sharing the same brand name and core values for joint lobby and advocacy around children’s rights. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under our new Global Strategy (2023 – 2030), TdH NL is redefining and refining our role as a child rights organisation, with the strategic ambition that “by 2030, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation. We do this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, and utilising our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.”

TdH Netherlands is led by a three-headed Executive Team: the Managing Director, the Director of Operations and the Director of Programmes.

The values of TdH Netherlands are: Responsible, Bold, Human-Centred and Playful.

The organisation’s core principles are: (1) Children at the Centre, (2) Intersectionality and Power Awareness, (3) Safety and Wellbeing, (4) Sustainability, and (5) Meaningful and Strategic Partnerships.

In line with our new strategy, TdH NL is in the process of establishing four Global Programmes under which our portfolio of humanitarian and development projects and programmes will be managed. These are: 1. Worst Forms of Child Labour, 2. Sexual Exploitation of Children, 3. Humanitarian Action, and 4. Child Trafficking and Migration. Our programmatic work is supported by two cross-programmatic units: Programme Development and Quality (PDQ), and Research, Expertise and Influencing (REI). Aligned to our new strategy, and based on many years of experience as a child rights organisation, we aim to consolidate our expertise and programme management, informed by research, to bring about sustainable and systemic change in the lives of children, and to hold duty bearers accountable.

Position Summary

The PDQ team is a global cross-functional team focused on the development and sustainability of our work. The team combines several core functions including design and innovation, learning and knowledge management, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), and project support. It is a global team with staff located in TdH NL countries of operation, working closely with colleagues in our Country Offices, Global Programmes and Research, Expertise and Influencing team. The Head of PDQ will lead the PDQ team in ensuring the quality of the organisation’s programmes through MEAL, knowledge management, co-design processes, innovation, programme support and coordination of partnership engagement. It is a key function within the organisation, with responsibility for overseeing the development, improvement and implementation of processes and systems that will enable TdH NL to realise our strategic ambition. The Head of PDQ also provides thought leadership on innovative and bold solutions, and guides the organisation in its ability to be new-thinking about how we work.

The Head of PDQ will guide the PDQ team to manage development, monitoring and learning processes that result in innovative, relevant and sustainable programmes, projects and activities. They take a leading role in providing a technical steer towards the new strategic direction of the organisation while safeguarding the gains made under the existing committed projects and programmes. They will ensure data, learning and knowledge products are made available to the organisation and inform management decisions.

To this end the Head of PDQ leads a dedicated, geographically dispersed team of high level professionals with diverse technical areas, backgrounds and areas of expertise, providing strategic leadership and direction, and supporting professional development. The Head of PDQ reports to the Director of Programmes and will support five direct reports. Some travel will be required.

Responsibilities

Ensuring an evidence-based strategic direction

• Lead the PDQ team in ensuring data, knowledge and information is captured, analysed and presented in a format where it can be meaningfully put to use to inform decision-making within the organisation and its programmes.
• Guide the organisation in the development and implementation of key strategy-based processes such as co-creation, co-implementation and the development of project models.
• Contribute to the organisation’s strategic programme direction and advise management based on insight from their position.
• Evaluate relevant organisational policies and processes, and make proposals for improvement.

Developing and supporting the realisation of quality programmes and projects

• Ensure high quality programme design and development in alignment with TdH NL processes and strategies.
• Ensure the timely development of high quality programme documents (e.g. ToCs, logframes, MEAL plans) based on the organisational strategy and ToC, and ensure programme and project design is aligned with all TdH NL integrity and safeguarding standards.
• Ensure that research, evidence, and learning from across the organisation and wider sector are incorporated into programme/project design.
• Ensure the delivery of quality training and capacity building on monitoring, evaluation and accountability tools and methodologies to staff and partners.
• Ensure the strategic use of data and information to improve intervention planning, engagement with partners and stakeholders, impact and public relations.

Operational and team management

Proactively engage with leadership and management across the organisation to ensure streamlined communication, foster collaborations and secure inter-departmental alignment.

Translate the organisation’s strategy and priorities into a team direction and an actionable team plan to enhance effectiveness and ensure goals are met.

Facilitate cross-departmental and cross-organisation best practice sharing, calibration of strategy, planning and program management roles, and a community of practice for staff in strategic and programmatic roles.

Provide effective leadership to the experts in the team through timely performance management, encouragement, professional development and collaboration.

Education & Experience

• Academic (university) education at bachelor but preferably master level in a relevant field, with at least ten (10) years of experience in programme and project development.
• Demonstrable track record in the development of sustainable country and regional programmes, preferably in the field of child rights and protection.
• Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating policies and programmes.
• Experience in programme management, budgeting and financial management.
• Demonstrable understanding of child protection and safeguarding.
• Excellent people management skills with demonstrated experience in coaching and developing talent of a highly qualified, independent and diverse team.
• Knowledge of and experience in implementing tools and systems for planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Clear thought leadership with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills to represent the organisation effectively and accurately to a variety of audiences as well as draft and proof-read written documents.
• Innovative and forward-thinking approach to all aspects of work.
• The highest personal and professional integrity along with an optimistic outlook.

What we offer

Duty Station: Nairobi, Phnom Penh or the Hague (other TdH NL Country Office locations may be considered)

• Contract Type: Full time (36 hours per week), one year contract with a possibility of extension.
• Job Level: 14
• Salary Scale: Euro 5.091 – 6.911 (based on Netherlands rates, location adjustment will apply)

Our Commitment to Diversity, Integrity and Child Safeguarding

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation. Therefore, people of all gender identities, sexes, sexual orientations, races, colours, religions, cultures, abilities, etc. are encouraged to apply.

TdH NL aims to attract great talent that not only fits the job but also our high standard of values and principles to prevent and eradicate any type of misconduct including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any other type of misuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct.

TdH NL in particular is committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe and does not accept any form of (child) abuse. Every TdH NL employee is bound by the Child Safeguarding Policy and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy, part of our Code of Conduct. Child safeguarding measures are part of our selection and recruitment process.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks, or integrity screenings/references relating to misconduct and disciplinary actions in prior employment. By submitting your application you accept that TdH NL will conduct such pre-employment screening for successful candidates. TdH NL participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.