Head of Programmes at World Young Women's Christian Association (World YWCA)
Women leading change
World YWCA Job Description
Head of Programmes
Position title: Head of Programmes
Department: Programme Department
Reports to: General Secretary
Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
About the World YWCA
The World Young Women's Christian Association (World YWCA) is a global network of women leading social and economic change in 125 countries worldwide. It advocates for peace, justice, health, human dignity, freedom and care of the environment, and has been at the forefront of raising the status of women since it was founded in 1894. The World YWCA develops women’s leadership to find local solutions to the global inequalities women face. Each year, it reaches more than 25 million women and girls through work in 22,000 communities. This grassroots development experience shapes the organisation’s global advocacy agenda. YWCA work is inspired by Christian principles and a commitment to women’s full and equal participation in society. It is a volunteer membership movement, inclusive of women from many faiths, backgrounds and cultures.
The World Office, led by the General Secretary (CEO), supports the governance of the organisation through the World Board and World Council and implements the World YWCA four-year strategic framework and work plan.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Office comprises a small, international staff team of 15 women, organised in three departments: programme, communications and finance and administration. The heads of department form the leadership team, which provides advisory and overall support to the General Secretary.
The position
The Head of Programmes contributes substantively to the development of the World YWCA strategic direction, especially pertaining to programming. She is responsible for the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing programme, including planning, organising, staffing, leading and quality control of programme activities, including monitoring and evaluation (M&E). She leads and coaches the programme team and manages the daily operations of the Programmes staff to achieve the organisation’s strategic goals. She works closely with the General Secretary and leadership team to help manage the organisation and ensure an integrated approach and cross functional work.
Main duties and responsibilities
A. Executive leadership
• Serve on the leadership team of the organisation.
• Contribute to the governance of the organisation, i.e. Board and World Council
• Provide vital input in the identification of short and long term programme strategies
• Ensure a global and integrated approach and execution of the World YWCA Strategic Framework through departmental and cross-functional work
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the World YWCA movement building strategy
• Provide leadership and proactive support in establishing a learning culture throughout the organisation
• Keep informed about trends, current and emerging, internal and external, that have an impact on the organisation and the movement
• Utilise knowledge of landscape, trends and players in the arena to build strategic partnerships
B. Programme
• Articulate, shape and implement a vision of the strategic role of the programme function at the World YWCA
• Develop and implement short and long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of programmes
• Provide the technical assistance for programme design, implementation and evaluation of the grants programme
• Develop the programmatic content of funding proposals for programmes to ensure the continuous delivery of services.
• Coordinates the programme monitoring and evaluation of the organisation
C. Advocacy
• Advocate for the implementation of key global commitments on women, young women and girls’ rights through relevant mechanisms, engaging the movement and partners in these processes
• Engage with global and regional networks to advance the rights of women, young women and girls and challenge harmful religious and cultural norms and practices
• Working in close collaboration with the Communications team, develop and promote material for World YWCA advocacy campaigns and events
• Participate in training and advocacy events and act as spokesperson for the World YWCA in Geneva and elsewhere
D. Team leadership and management
• Responsible for overall supervision of the Programme team
• Lead and manage staff, including setting goals, coaching, evaluating performance and measuring success
• Guide professional development of staff, including training and mentoring
E. External relationships
• Represent the World YWCA to relevant communities
• In coordination with the leadership team, present with commitment and passion the World YWCA’s vision, mission, values and goals to the worldwide donor community and other relevant audiences
• In coordination with the leadership team, represent the organisation at key forums, identify opportunities for visibility for World YWCA advocacy and programmes and cultivate effective relationships with relevant stakeholders
F. Other duties may be assigned by the General Secretary as the need arises.
Competencies and qualifications
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as social sciences, public health, political science, economics, international development or the humanities
• 10+ years of experience of working in a senior programme management capacity, including evidenced-based programming, monitoring & evaluation and fiscal management
• 10+ years of experience in stakeholder engagement; experience partnering with Governments and international NGOs
• Extensive working experience with community level organisations
• Several years of experience managing a small team of programme managers and associates
• Experience leading organisational learning, monitoring and evaluation of programmes to capture impact
• Experience overseeing and coordinating programmatic monitoring and evaluations
• Excellent leadership, management and supervision skills
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written
• Strategic thinking and operational planning capabilities
• Administrative and organisational abilities, including an eye for detail
• Proficiency in English, French and/or Spanish an asset
• An entrepreneurial spirit that values creativity, flexibility and risk taking in the creation of new programmes and in realising the full potential for existing efforts
General expectations of staff in this position
• To be knowledgeable and in sympathy with the purpose and function of the World YWCA
• To assist in interpreting the policies of the World YWCA and in implementing the Resolutions of the World Council and the World Board
• To work cooperatively to further the planned work of the World YWCA as part of a multi-cultural staff and volunteer team
• To possess a high level of personal and professional integrity, high personal standards of excellence and cross-cultural sensitivity
• To possess computer literacy and experience in using information technology and communications
• To have experience living and working in a country other than that of one’s origin
Terms and conditions of service will be commensurate with the post and will be discussed with short listed candidates. Subject to the primary need for competence, due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting personnel reflecting a diverse geographical and confessional basis, without distinction as to race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious conviction, HIV status, age, sexual orientation or handicapping condition.
Application process
Please forward your cover letter addressing the qualifications and competencies and curriculum vitae no later than 21 March 2014 by email marked to the attention of the Human Resources Officer.
Email: hresources@worldywca.org
No telephone enquiries, please. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
World YWCA Job Description
Head of Programmes
Position title: Head of Programmes
Department: Programme Department
Reports to: General Secretary
Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
About the World YWCA
The World Young Women's Christian Association (World YWCA) is a global network of women leading social and economic change in 125 countries worldwide. It advocates for peace, justice, health, human dignity, freedom and care of the environment, and has been at the forefront of raising the status of women since it was founded in 1894. The World YWCA develops women’s leadership to find local solutions to the global inequalities women face. Each year, it reaches more than 25 million women and girls through work in 22,000 communities. This grassroots development experience shapes the organisation’s global advocacy agenda. YWCA work is inspired by Christian principles and a commitment to women’s full and equal participation in society. It is a volunteer membership movement, inclusive of women from many faiths, backgrounds and cultures.
The World Office, led by the General Secretary (CEO), supports the governance of the organisation through the World Board and World Council and implements the World YWCA four-year strategic framework and work plan.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Office comprises a small, international staff team of 15 women, organised in three departments: programme, communications and finance and administration. The heads of department form the leadership team, which provides advisory and overall support to the General Secretary.
The position
The Head of Programmes contributes substantively to the development of the World YWCA strategic direction, especially pertaining to programming. She is responsible for the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing programme, including planning, organising, staffing, leading and quality control of programme activities, including monitoring and evaluation (M&E). She leads and coaches the programme team and manages the daily operations of the Programmes staff to achieve the organisation’s strategic goals. She works closely with the General Secretary and leadership team to help manage the organisation and ensure an integrated approach and cross functional work.
Main duties and responsibilities
A. Executive leadership
• Serve on the leadership team of the organisation.
• Contribute to the governance of the organisation, i.e. Board and World Council
• Provide vital input in the identification of short and long term programme strategies
• Ensure a global and integrated approach and execution of the World YWCA Strategic Framework through departmental and cross-functional work
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the World YWCA movement building strategy
• Provide leadership and proactive support in establishing a learning culture throughout the organisation
• Keep informed about trends, current and emerging, internal and external, that have an impact on the organisation and the movement
• Utilise knowledge of landscape, trends and players in the arena to build strategic partnerships
B. Programme
• Articulate, shape and implement a vision of the strategic role of the programme function at the World YWCA
• Develop and implement short and long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of programmes
• Provide the technical assistance for programme design, implementation and evaluation of the grants programme
• Develop the programmatic content of funding proposals for programmes to ensure the continuous delivery of services.
• Coordinates the programme monitoring and evaluation of the organisation
C. Advocacy
• Advocate for the implementation of key global commitments on women, young women and girls’ rights through relevant mechanisms, engaging the movement and partners in these processes
• Engage with global and regional networks to advance the rights of women, young women and girls and challenge harmful religious and cultural norms and practices
• Working in close collaboration with the Communications team, develop and promote material for World YWCA advocacy campaigns and events
• Participate in training and advocacy events and act as spokesperson for the World YWCA in Geneva and elsewhere
D. Team leadership and management
• Responsible for overall supervision of the Programme team
• Lead and manage staff, including setting goals, coaching, evaluating performance and measuring success
• Guide professional development of staff, including training and mentoring
E. External relationships
• Represent the World YWCA to relevant communities
• In coordination with the leadership team, present with commitment and passion the World YWCA’s vision, mission, values and goals to the worldwide donor community and other relevant audiences
• In coordination with the leadership team, represent the organisation at key forums, identify opportunities for visibility for World YWCA advocacy and programmes and cultivate effective relationships with relevant stakeholders
F. Other duties may be assigned by the General Secretary as the need arises.
Competencies and qualifications
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as social sciences, public health, political science, economics, international development or the humanities
• 10+ years of experience of working in a senior programme management capacity, including evidenced-based programming, monitoring & evaluation and fiscal management
• 10+ years of experience in stakeholder engagement; experience partnering with Governments and international NGOs
• Extensive working experience with community level organisations
• Several years of experience managing a small team of programme managers and associates
• Experience leading organisational learning, monitoring and evaluation of programmes to capture impact
• Experience overseeing and coordinating programmatic monitoring and evaluations
• Excellent leadership, management and supervision skills
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written
• Strategic thinking and operational planning capabilities
• Administrative and organisational abilities, including an eye for detail
• Proficiency in English, French and/or Spanish an asset
• An entrepreneurial spirit that values creativity, flexibility and risk taking in the creation of new programmes and in realising the full potential for existing efforts
General expectations of staff in this position
• To be knowledgeable and in sympathy with the purpose and function of the World YWCA
• To assist in interpreting the policies of the World YWCA and in implementing the Resolutions of the World Council and the World Board
• To work cooperatively to further the planned work of the World YWCA as part of a multi-cultural staff and volunteer team
• To possess a high level of personal and professional integrity, high personal standards of excellence and cross-cultural sensitivity
• To possess computer literacy and experience in using information technology and communications
• To have experience living and working in a country other than that of one’s origin
Terms and conditions of service will be commensurate with the post and will be discussed with short listed candidates. Subject to the primary need for competence, due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting personnel reflecting a diverse geographical and confessional basis, without distinction as to race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious conviction, HIV status, age, sexual orientation or handicapping condition.
Application process
Please forward your cover letter addressing the qualifications and competencies and curriculum vitae no later than 21 March 2014 by email marked to the attention of the Human Resources Officer.
Email: hresources@worldywca.org
No telephone enquiries, please. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
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