Save the Children Director of Program Development and Quality (PDQ) based in Phnom Penh

Save the Children Cambodia

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in Cambodia, the Director of Program Development and Quality (PDQ) is responsible for driving cross-functional engagement in the development and delivery of the Country Strategy Plan (CSP), developing annual plans and reporting on results. S/he is responsible for ensuring development and delivery of high quality, evidence-based, innovative programs for children, in all contexts, that contribute to Save the Children’s global Breakthroughs: Learn, Survive, Be Protected. The Director of PDQ ensures that a robust monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) system is in place, that the country office engages in the collection and use of evidence and that this is shared across the global organization, and that reliable data is used for decision-making.  One key aspect of the role is ensuring capability building, mentoring and coaching of technical specialists in order to support program quality in line with global standards and key performance indicators. As a senior leader in the country office s/he plays a representational role with the government, donors, partners, peer agencies, SC Members and others.  The Director of PDQ supports strategic positioning with donors and partners and leads on project design to ensure that the country office strategy can be delivered in line with child rights programming principles. 

 

Qualifications and experience  

  • Masters degree or its equivalent in years of experience in relevant social sciences, development studies, human rights or other relevant sector (especially in Child Development or Community Development), human rights, NGO management or equivalent fields. 

Essential 

  • Minimum of seven years progressive senior management and/ or development experience, including experience designing and implementing programs for children 

  • Experience in one or more of the Save the Children priority sectors: education, protection, child rights governance, child poverty, health and nutrition, and emergencies.  

  • Understanding of advocacy, policy, and government systems in Cambodia, and particular experience with child rights programming, including UNCRC. 

  • Proven excellence in leading a team, being a team player, and leadership in an international organisation.  

  • An appreciation and understanding of the issues concerning the NGO sector in Cambodia, both development and humanitarian; previous experience working in Asia is a plus.   

  • Demonstrated knowledge of children’s issues, rights-based program approaches, and child safeguarding principles. 

  • Strong skills and proven experience in leading strategic planning, change management and program management processes; also from the knowledge and learning perspective. 

  • Strong skills and proven experience in new program development, project design and proposal writing with corporate, foundations and/or institutional donors. 

  • Able to work well under pressure and deadlines  

  • Excellent listening, inter-personal, communication and networking skills; proven experience and effectiveness working across functional teams and in a matrixed structure; and an ability to work with diverse populations. 

  • High level of self-awareness and willingness to take feedback for growth and self-development. 

  • Proven expertise in developing and managing Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning systems, and overseeing baselines/evaluations. 

  • Credibility to lobby, influence and represent Save the Children at all levels 

 

Desirable 

  • Strong skills in training, capacity building, coaching, problem solving and mentoring teams/staff members throughout project cycle management. 

  • Demonstrated skills in designing and carrying out qualitative and quantitative research and using research to inform program design and advocacy.  

  • Demonstrated capacity to design innovative and high impact programs, and leveraging project results towards broader systemic impact. 

  • Excellent analytical skills.  

  • Effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross departmental and cross sector work 

  • Fluency in written and spoken English, Khmer would be an advantage 

 

Contract length: two years 

 

Application deadline is 13 January 2019.