South Sudan: Quality Assurance Coordinator, Western Equatoria Zone, World Vision South Sudan

This is your opportunity to use your special talents to help improve the lives and futures of some of the world's most vulnerable children in the most challenging humanitarian context today.

You can do this by joining World Vision –a global network of people committed to enhance the well-being and protection of children everywhere by empowering them, their families and communities to overcome the challenges of poverty and injustice.

The Quality Assurance Coordinator provides leadership and coordination at the regional level in the design, monitoring and evaluation of regional programs and projects. Work to position World Vision South Sudan (WVSS) as a leader in innovative design, monitoring and evaluation (DME) and capacity building responses by supporting rigorous program design, technical support, and training to ensure a high level of programme quality. Support the Quality Assurance Team in the development of high quality practices and ensure effective teams maximise the contribution of WVSS in supporting child well-being through improved capacity and consistent, unified approach to engaging program quality across WVSS.

Enhance the quality of WVSS ministry through:

· Strengthened capacity of WVSS staff in all aspects of DME.

· Research and evaluation.

· Strategic engagement with WVI and external stakeholders on program quality.

· Provision of quality DME support to the field.

Communicate World Vision’s ethos and demonstrate a quality of spiritual life that is an example to others.

We believe that every child is a precious gift to the entire world and that their well-being concerns us all. We will not rest while children suffer in situations that can be changed. We are looking for people who share our beliefs and our passion.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Planning, Assessment and Design:

· Lead all regional assessments and baseline studies to prepare background information and data for design of programs/projects.

· Participate in the development of Zonal program/project design documents, and development of concept papers and proposals.

· Participate in organising and undertaking surveys to provide primary data (baseline, EPI coverage, Nutrition and KAP surveys) when required and as part of ongoing assessment of the impact of the sector program and ongoing sector needs.

· In consultation with the Resource Acquisition and Management and technical teams lead the development of Area Rehabilitation design documents and all project logical frameworks that prioritise needs established during assessments and secondary data analysis.

· Facilitate assessments and operational research for contextual understanding, identifying opportunities, vulnerabilities, capacities and resources, deciding feasibility and setting DME priorities at the regional level.

· Co-ordinate timing, provide technical support for the design and follow-up of assessments through collaboration with technical and crosscutting teams – (i.e. when new programs are being considered, when community context is changing).

· Ensure proper documentation of the assessment process and outcomes.

Monitoring and Evaluation and Close out/Transition:

· Work with Zonal Program Development and Management Officer and Project Officers to ensure quality programming and adherence to minimum standards including World Vision International DME standards, values and principles, SPHERE and other sector standards and protocols as well as the mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes (Peacebuilding, Gender, Environment, Protection, Disability and Christian Commitments).

· Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of program quality, using a variety of monitoring tools appropriate to program sectors, social sciences in general, management reviews, audit results, core WV values and policies, operational plans, and strategic documents.

· For assigned region, develop a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system, linked to the national office system, consistent with the WV DME framework, as appropriate, that includes standards developed by multilateral & bilateral agencies & NGOs.

· Design, implement and periodically review the DME plan that ensures grant-funded programs comply with donor M&E requirements.

· Include in the overall DME plan, a periodic process for intentional learning and reflection from assessments, program progress monitoring etc, to improve program quality.

· Support Project Officers in the development of M&E tools for all projects.

· Oversee implementation of M&E systems through regular field monitoring visits and tracking of Key Performance Indicators at the regional level.

· Coordinate quarterly and annual county and regional program review meetings to facilitate dialogue and learning on project/program implementation.

· Conduct/Supervise mid-term reviews and internal evaluations and prepare reports in accordance with WV Partnership standards.

· Prepare terms of references and provide technical guidance for assigned internal and external project evaluations.

· Ensure evaluations that are useful for decision makers, and assist WV learning through a timely schedule based on the lifetime of the project that meets WV and donor requirements.

· Assist with the design of exit strategies, and monitor progress of project transition.

· Support management and accountability through routine, accurate collection and reporting of information that confirms status of program activities based on logframes. Develop the quality control systems and mechanisms needed to guarantee proper management of information and data.

Reporting:

· Review semi-annual and annual management reports as well as donor reports to ensure compliance with recommended guidelines, formats and standards.

· Review the quarterly and annual county and regional reports and recommend for sharing with external stakeholders.

· Review as a final means of quality assurance all quarterly, annually, and final reports before submission to donors. Ensure that quality reports are submitted.

· Track reporting deadlines for active grants and ensure that all Project Officers submit the reports in a timely fashion to the Program Development and Resources Acquisition Director.

· Prepare consolidated regional annual program reports and organise appropriate learning to disseminate key achievements and lessons learnt.

Technical Expertise:

· Provide technical input in developing terms of reference for program assessments and evaluations for regional office.

· Provide technical input in selecting appropriate methodologies for program assessments, designs and evaluations.

· Develop and disseminate innovative approaches to program assessment, design, reporting and evaluation and provide technical expertise in best practices in DME.

· Provide technical input/review for all assigned funding proposals.

Capacity Building and Program Quality:

· Work with Partnership around establishment of standards, particularly on LEAP, tool development, implementation of IPM models, or other initiatives.

· Support the capacity of WVSS staff in DME through provision of tools, training opportunities, and support.

· Support quality assurance in programming through analysis of reports, identifying lessons learned, and analysing impact to improve program design.

· Support Zonal Programme Managers to implement technical and managerial evaluations of all field level staff.

· Work to enhance capacity for quality programming through:

· Supporting training and capacity development of WVSS staff in DME and LEAP including areas of program assessment, design, monitoring & evaluation methodologies.

· Provide training and other support in program assessment, design, monitoring and evaluation methodologies, approaches, and latest developments to high priority countries.

· Develop a regional level mentoring program for Sudanese National staff aimed at enhancing their capacity and skills to assume increased programming responsibilities.

Information Management, Innovation and Learning:

· Support WVSS in innovative operations research and programming interventions.

· Assist in the identification of cutting-edge, research-based program assessment, design, monitoring & evaluation methodologies and models.

· Contribute to the design and review of regional project management information systems and provide advice on appropriate systems for various project activities at the regional level.

· Support the Quality Assurance Team with the development of regional components of the program information management system.

· Coordinate regional annual program review meetings to facilitate dialogue and learning on project/program implementation.

· Keep abreast of DME best practices through ongoing research.

· Network with other organizations.

· Share innovations with WVSS staffs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Required:

· A Master’s degree or higher in relevant field.

· Demonstrated experience in program design monitoring and evaluation.

· At least 2 years field experience in a relief or development environment.

· Capacity building experience in project design, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation.

· Computer knowledge including Word, Excel, Lotus Notes and Power Point.

· Strong skills in written and spoken English.

Preferred:

· Previous experience with major donor proposal DME requirements (USAID, ECHO, BPRM, UN agencies.

If you believe you have the skills and experience to fulfil this challenging and rewarding role that will help bring vital support to vulnerable children in South Sudan we'd love to hear from you.

Find the full description and apply online by the closing date 29 August 2014. For more information on World Vision International, please visit our website:www.wvi.org.