Director of Programmes & Learning

About the Organisation

Womankind Worldwide is a global women’s rights organisation working in partnership with women’s rights movements and organisations to transform the lives of women and girls. We strengthen and support women’s movements in our focus countries in Africa and Asia, and take collective action at regional and global levels, to ensure women’s voices are heard, their rights are realised, and their lives are free from violence.

Currently, Womankind has staff based in Kenya and the UK; and this position can be located in Kenya or the UK. You must have the right to work in either Kenya or the UK to apply for this role, in line with the laws and regulations of these countries.

Who we are looking for

You will have a collaborative and hands on mindset and commitment to feminism, anti-racism and social justice. You will be joining a dedicated team of people who care deeply about the difference we are able to make, working with women’s movements across the world. You will find more information about Womankind on our website (www.womankind.org.uk).

Role Purpose

The Director Programmes & Learning (DPL) leads the strategic development, implementation, quality assurance and technical learning for Womankind’s portfolio of partnership programmes including grant making in our focus countries, in line with our organisational strategy - Our Feminist Future.

As a member of the senior management team the DPL works closely with the Director Policy & Communications, Director Fundraising & Marketing and Director Finance & Resources, under the leadership of the co-CEOs to contribute to the overall leadership and strategic direction of the organisation.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic leadership

To work with the leadership team on strategic level policy, planning and systems development in relation to Womankind’s programmes, partnerships, financing, learning and sustainability.To lead the development and delivery of an effective feminist partnerships sub- strategy, aligned with organisational strategy.Lead the development of and manage the annual budget, and mid-year forecasts for the Programmes & Learning team including oversight of restricted and designated expenditure.Engage with Womankind partners in our focus countries to ensure our programmes and grantmaking are grounded in in their realities and contexts.Work with the SMT to ensure a strategic, planned, effective and integrated approach across Womankind’s work.As an SMT member engage with and report on performance against programmes and grantmaking plans to the Board of Trustees.

2. Organisational and team leadership

Lead, manage, support and develop the Programmes & Learning team, in a hybrid/flexible working environment in line with our feminist values and ways of working, our wellbeing strategy and strategic goal to value our team.Ensure team members have relevant skills and knowledge and share learning across the organisation.Support timely and effective planning and decision-making at staff, SMT and Board levels.Play a key role in rolling out Womankind’s strategy through planning and implementation in the functional areas you lead.Represent the Programmes & Learning team and contribute towards the leadership and strategic direction of Womankind as a member of the SMT.

3. Design and implement projects, programmes and Flexible Funding initiatives

Work with the Programmes & Learning team to motivate and support the design and delivery of small, medium and large partnership projects and programmes.Work with the Fundraising & Marketing team on major funding applications, including undertaking technical review and sign off. This includes input into the development portfolio and emerging plans in cooperation with the Fundraising & Marketing team to support their work to match funding opportunities with Womankind and partner priorities.Responsible for overall program management of key Womankind programmes/projects ensuring donor and internal compliance and technical quality assurance.Take principal responsibility for the delivery of results from programmes and grantmaking within the Programmes & Learning team portfolio.Lead and provide oversight for the Movement Strengthening Fund and Strategic Partner Support Grants to ensure that they remain relevant and responsive to partner needs. In addition, ensure that grantmaking implementation is informed by the best practices of flexible funding, shifting power and decolonisation approaches.Work with the Policy & Communications team to provide strategic and practical input on projects and programmes where relevant and appropriate.To work with SMT colleagues on compliance with quality assurance processes with regard to management of the programmes portfolio.

4. Communications, representation, networking and profile building

Identify and engage in opportunities to further develop Womankind’s reputation and profile in relation to programmes and partnerships approach.Represent Womankind to external audiences, including meetings with policy and decision-makers, academics, donors, journalists and peers at national and international levels.Participate in UK-based and international NGO and women's movement networks and to develop, cultivate and maintain strong relationships.Act as a key spokesperson for Womankind.

5. Learning, monitoring and evaluation

Ensure development and maintenance of appropriate monitoring, evaluation, dissemination and learning processes and resources for Womankind’s programmes, partnerships and grantmaking work.Work closely with colleagues to facilitate the exchange and sharing of learning with partners, peers and other stakeholders.Lead, motivate and support development of new ideas and innovative initiatives in feminist approaches to evidence building.Measure and report regularly on performance against strategic and operational plans to the co-CEOs and Board of Trustees.Values and Behaviours

The ideal candidate must be committed to the mission, vision, values and aims of Womankind Worldwide as it works towards a feminist workplace which is fit for the future and  supports our staff equitably across our locations.

All posts are expected to contribute towards developing a supportive working environment, to demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, professionalism and respect, transparency and accountability and to uphold quality standards as outlined in policies and procedures, and in compliance with Womankind Worldwide’s 2030 Strategy.

Reporting Structure

Line management responsibility for five team members: Impact and Learning Advisor; Program Manager: Movement and Network Strengthening; Advisor/Advocate: Afghanistan; Program Manager: Innovation & Partnerships; and Program Manager: AWESOME

Reports to Co-CEOs

Key relationships

Internal

Works closely with Senior Management Team colleaguesWorks across Womankind’s staff and Board of Trustees as part of our cross-team approach

External

Diverse Women’s Rights Organisations and feminist movements

Civil Society Organisations and networks

UN Agencies

Institutional Donors

Person Specification

Essential Experience and Skills

Established feminist leader with experience of working with women’s rights organisations and feminist movements, human rights and international development networks or coalitions in the UK and internationally, including demonstrable commitment to feminist analysis and practice.

Extensive experience of leading and delivering large scale, strategic, complex and high impact transformational policy and programmes initiatives for the promotion of women’s human rights and gender equality.

Experience of leading development, managing and implementing an organisational programmes and partnerships portfolio.

Experience of securing funding from international statutory and institutional funders and large trusts and foundations.

Experience of development and implementation of grantmaking strategies, with particular focus on flexible funding.Direct experience of living in, and/or working with women’s rights organisations, women’s movements and civil society organisations in the majority world including in Africa and/or South Asia.

Experience of working successfully with a range of partners, including women’s rights organisations, INGOs, consultants, academic institutions, think tanks, government departments and other potential allies.

Demonstrable experience of project design and management and of working with multi-disciplinary teams on programmes and grantmaking.

Significant experience of managing, developing and motivating a team within a remote/hybrid working environment including strong people management skills, supporting staff wellbeing and performance management.

Strong understanding of funding landscape for WROs and feminist movements specifically quality funding and grant making.

Experience of working within a Senior Management Team, operating at Board level.

Essential skills

Excellent interpersonal communication skills (written, verbal and public speaking).Financial management, including programme and organisational budgeting and financial reporting.

Essential Knowledge

A strong understanding of women’s rights movements, the international development and gender and development sectors.Politically sensitive, able to recognise, influence and manage communication of sensitive issues.Other Essential AttributesAbility and willingness to travel in Womankind’s focus countries and regions, and in the UK and internationally, estimated between 4 and 6 weeks per year.

Terms and Conditions

Hours: Full-time and Part time considered

Grade: 2

Contract: Permanent

Probationary period: 6 months

How to apply

We actively encourage applications from minority and marginalised groups, including people from the global majority, Deaf and disabled people, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with experience of supporting women’s rights and/or stand in solidarity with our values, mission and vision.Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we regret we will not be able to respond personally to applicants who are not short-listed. If you have not heard from us within three weeks from the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline for applications: 24th January 2025

1st round interviews: w/c 13th February 2025

2nd round interviews: w/c 27th February 2025