Head of Programme Quality

Position type: Full time Permanent (37.5 hours per week). Flexible hours considered.

Responsible to: Director of International Programmes

Direct reports: Technical Lead – Shelter, Impact & Accountability Lead, Safeguarding Advisor

Indirect reports MEAL Coordinator (x4)

Location: Truro, Cornwall, or Remote Working (with regular travel to Truro)

Role Purpose

The Head of Programme Quality has responsibility for driving the quality and impact of ShelterBox’s programme approach and sector influence in alignment with our renewed mission, vision, and strategy. The Programme Quality team’s role is to develop standards, ensuring mechanisms are in place to strengthen accountability, impact, quality and learning and support the delivery teams to meet these standards.

This will be achieved through strategic approaches that reflect both internal and external learning, sector advances and innovation for Shelter through MEAL, technical standards, and the development of policy and programme cycle management guidance. This team is the knowledge hub for ShelterBox.

It is the role of The Head of Programme Quality to develop, lead, and report on these strategies.

The successful candidate will work in partnership with the Head of Programme Funding and the Deputy Director of International Programmes to support impact evaluation and measurement, helping to drive sustainable and quality growth in line with programme strategies.

The Head of Programme Quality will also proactively analyse and make recommendations on how emerging global and sector trends, developments and research might potentially affect current policy and practices. Building on a significant increase in programme size in 2022 there are real opportunities to grow the team and shape programme quality at ShelterBox, including playing a key role in strategic work on environmental sustainability and research and innovation.

This role will also report to the CEO/Board of Trustees on a regular basis on Programme Quality and Impact. The International Programmes Leadership team will also work closely with our Fundraising /Finance teams and larger affiliates (particularly ShelterBox USA) to ensure an aligned approach to programme funding. The role will also encompass high-level relationship building and advocacy with partner organisations to consolidate the reputation and position of ShelterBox within the humanitarian sector.

This role will be joining a fast-paced organisation realigning itself for further growth in the face of mounting humanitarian needs. We look forward to welcoming candidates who share our passion and teamwork to achieve this.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Lead programme quality improvements by monitoring and improving Programme KPI performance, including resourcing and conducting high-quality evaluations to demonstrate outcomes and impact and ensuring that accountability mechanisms are in place for all programmes.
• Develop systems and processes which ensure operational activities comply with organisational policies, sector best practice and recognised standards for accountable humanitarian project management, including but not limited to the Core Humanitarian Standards.
• Oversee the organisation’s Research and Innovation work and ensure accompanying work plans to make the most of opportunity for improvement and development. Include consideration of aid items, approaches, and agreed organisational learnings. Build links and collaborate with relevant sector organisations, communities of practice and academic institutions to build strategically appropriate research agenda.
• Ensure a partner learning approach and that work plans deliver effective working relationships and protocols with organisations to expand our reach and impact. Engage professional partners (organisations, individuals, and communities of practice) to both obtain and cascade learning opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes.
• Create a culture of evidence-based responses that drives organisational learning and improvement. Lead on the ongoing development and implementation of an organisational MEAL strategy across responses to ensure the delivery of high quality and timely emergency shelter provision.
• Work with wider Programmes team to manage response specific data in a manner that enables data-driven management and improved reporting;

Other Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and motivation to the Programme Quality team sand foster teamwork ensuring all activities are within the charity’s aims, objectives and values and in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements;
• Member of International Programmes Senior Leadership team;
• Establish and build effective working relationships across the organisation and with selected external partners.
• Be part of the Critical Incident team if required;
• Keep up to date with sector trends and developments.
• Any other work assigned by the Director of International Programmes