PME Network Coordinator

Solidaridad Network is a Dutch based foundation that serves as a secretariat supporting the nine Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centres (RECs) located in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. The nine RECs are pioneers, innovators and transition managers in smart and sustainable land use and sustainable chain management. Solidaridad believes that sustainable economic development provides the best solution to improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty. Together the RECs share the responsibility to support sustainable market development, producer development, capacity building, policy development and influencing and fundraising. The RECs operate as a network, having equal say and responsibility in achieving objectives. Though still developing, the network is becoming more and more professional and institutionalised and continues to grow in shared responsibility for strategy development, planning and management of programme budgets.

The main responsibilities of the secretariat are the coordination of network, policy and programme related developments, financial management and PME, next to serving as a secretariat in support of the Executive Board of Directors (EBoD) and the Continental Supervisory Boards in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Netherlands. The Solidaridad Network Secretariat consists of an Executive Director for the network, a Secretary, a Financial Controller, a Chief Editor for international communications and a Webmaster. In view of the necessity of additional PME and quality management capacity at this level,

Solidaridad Network secretariat is looking for a

PME Network Coordinator, (32 hours a week)

Location
The PME Network Coordinator will be located in Utrecht.

Scope of work
The PME network coordinator is a new position. Being an expert in Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) and quality management you are responsible for the coordination of PME and quality management in the network in service of the Regional Expertise Centers (RECs). You are responsible for the development of an overall PME policy and monitor its implementation, the development of network procedures and alignment to organisational procedures of the RECs, and overall information and exchange systems that support PME and link RECs. Policies, procedures and information systems developed are to serve the RECs in working more efficiently and effectively as a network. The PME Network Coordinator thus supports and strengthens the development and growth of the network organisation. 

You respond directly to the Executive Director but work with all REC Directors in aligning policies, procedures, systems and supporting their needs to improve PME policies and practices. You are coordinator of the network PME team consisting of all PME experts in the network working on policies, practices and PME approaches and methodologies. With your interpersonal and intercultural skills you are good at working with colleagues worldwide and with experts in a variety of disciplines. You understand balancing local individual needs and the necessity of standardisation. You are capable of translating specific and individual problems into feasible and effective systems and processes. You are experienced in quality systems and innovative methods of PME. You thrive in a dynamic international and intercultural working environment.

Position 
The PME Network Coordinator is accountable to the Executive Director and is a member of the management team of the secretariat. The PME Network Coordinator can be asked by the ED to participate during the EBoD meetings as an advisor. The PME Network Coordinator works closely with all REC Directors to align strategies and policies and in support of effective programme management and coordinates the network PME team consisting of all PME specialists within the Solidaridad Network. The PME Network Coordinator works closely with the Financial Controller for alignment of procedures relating to financial and result planning and reporting. The secretary provides support to the PME Network coordinator in management of information.

Result areas

• Develops a Multi Annual Strategic Plan (MASP) for PME including KPIs and systems for monitoring and quality management servicing network objectives and in support of the RECs
• Tracks developments and innovations in PME and quality management, both scientific and political to match future requirements to internal capabilities
• Translates PME policy - in dialogue with PME specialists within the network, REC representatives and external experts - into concrete information needs, objectives, results and activities
• Coordinates the development and implementation of network procedures and systems
• Coordinates the development of strategic plans, reports and programme reviews and evaluations
• Assesses regularly the effects of the network PME policy: signals rising bottlenecks, takes initiative that leads to improvement and reports to the ED
• Shares knowledge of and expertise in PME and quality management with colleagues and partners
• Manages portfolio of projects and administration pertaining to PME and quality management
• Is responsible for budgeting network PME programme and when required additional fundraising for PME

Requirements

• Relevant university level education, master or higher

• Relevant broad experience in PME
• Experience in quality systems and management, especially ISO
• Experience in working with NGOs in developing and developed countries
• Experience in working with policy makers in International Cooperation
• Experience in working with scientific researchers, consultants and knowledge brokers
• Relevant work experience in international cooperation sector. 
• Takes initiative, signals trends and information needs and translates this into policy
• Fluent in spoken and written Dutch and English, other language skills proficiencies desirable
• Excellent communication skills
• Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Visio, internet)
• Experience in programme management software such as Compiere (AFFM), Microsoft Dynamics
• Experience with ICT exchange tools such as Web-Ex, Catalyst and/or Sharepoint
• Capable of working  in a dynamic, inter cultural, multi stakeholder setting
• Inspiring and flexible in translating the PME policy into practices within and outside the Solidaridad Network
• Capable of working  in a dynamic, inter cultural, multi-stakeholder setting
• Able to travel internationally

Solidaridad Network
Solidaridad Network offers a unique and challenging position in an inspiring and international working environment. This position is not just an add-on but will play an integral part in a growth process.    

Salary: Dutch BBRA- scale 11

For information: check our website: www.solidaridadnetwork.org. For more specific information on the function, call +31 (0)30-2720313 (Mrs Monique van de Vijver or Francisca Hubeek).
Please note that our office is closed between 24 December 2012 and 4 January 2013.
Send your application (a motivated letter and CV in English) by e-mail no later than January 15^th, 2013 to secretariat@solidaridadnetwork.org mentioning “PME Network Coordinator”.