Education Programme Manager, Myanmar

Location: Myanmar Country Office in Yangon with regular (up to 30%) field trips to Programme focus areas and to Naypyitaw. Occasional international trips are also envisaged. Some weekend and evening work will be expected depending on when key meetings and events are happening (time off in lieu of hours worked will be available for additional hours)

Contract type: Permanent

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits

Closing date: 5:00 pm (Myanmar time) on October 9th, 2016

Interview date: applications will be reviewed while received and interviews might start before the closing date

Introduction to VSO

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organization that works through skilled volunteers to fight poverty. Specializing in long-term capacity development, we place skilled and experienced volunteers with partner organizations to transfer technical expertise, share learning and build networks. Through our volunteers, we harness the talents, enthusiasm and skills of ordinary people to bring about lasting change.

The Myanmar VSO Education programme involves active engagement with and support to the government education sector as well as civil society, and education provision to disadvantaged children. For more information about the Programme please visit: https://www.vsointernational.org/fighting-poverty/where-we-fight-poverty/myanmar/education-programme-myanmar

The role

Job Description: / Education Programme Manager / Responsible to: / Country Director, Myanmar
No. of direct reports: / n/a / Location, Group & Function: / Myanmar Country Office in Yangon with regular (up to 30%) field trips to Programme focus areas and to Naypyitaw. Occasional international trips are also envisaged. Some weekend and evening work will be expected depending on when key meetings and events are happening (time off in lieu of hours worked will be available for additional hours)
Role Purpose: / To manage the strategic development, implementation and successful delivery of the Education Programme, supporting all of VSO’s work in Myanmar in order to optimise the contribution towards reducing poverty.
Responsibilities / Key Performance Indicators / Competencies / Skills Required
1. Raise VSO’s profile and build strong partnerships by ensuring that VSO has positive visibility among key stakeholders working in the education in Myanmar, and by building strong partnerships to support programming. This includes regular attendance to relevant meetings and working groups with national and international organizations and Government entities in Yangon, Naypyidaw, and in VSO areas of interest and the willingness to research well-informed and updated information on how the education work is developing in the Myanmar context.
2. Partnership Development and Management: constantly assess, negotiate, maintain and review relevant partnerships during and at completion of volunteer placements by regular meetings and review visits as required.
3. Programme strategy and management: Continue on the job by done by the exiting Programme Manager to consolidate a strong education programme in Myanmar, in line with VSO’s global and regional strategy. Support volunteers and partners to achieve placements’ objectives and, ultimately, country objectives.
4. Fundraising: With help from the VSO fundraising team, proactively identify and aggressively pursue funding opportunities for programming at scale, maintaining close working relationships with the donor community. Effectively manage grants.
5. Budgeting and Forecasting: Develop realistic programme and project plans and budgets, ensuring compliance with donor requirements. Develop, maintain and regularly review financial plans to deliver programme and projects objectives including full participation in the annual budget preparation process.
6. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: with support from the Regional M&E Manager, design and deliver appropriate monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks and processes to ensure learning results in evidence-based programming and high quality reporting.
7. International Volunteer Management and Support: work with the programme support team to induct and provide on-going support to International volunteers working under the Programme, ensuring they are equipped to support VSO’s objectives and ensuring duty of care commitments are met.
8. Other Duties: Assist or take leadership in emergencies as required, working closely with peer programme managers or Country Director and other team members. Fulfill other appropriate level responsibilities as defined by VSO Country Director when required. / 1.1 Guarantee VSO’s attendance and quality of inputs in Government, donors and NGO/INGO working groups;
1.2 By building on the work done by the exiting Education Programme Manager, ensure a dynamic, transparent and effective network exists between VSO and key stakeholders (volunteers, present and potential partners, donors, Government and other key stakeholders).
2.1 All active Annual Partnership Reviews and Programme Area Reviews are conducted;
2.2 Beneficiaries, partners and volunteers are integral to review of VSO programmes;
2.3 Current partnerships are working effectively. New strategic and programmatic partners are identified and effective partnerships developed.
3.1 Programme development is informed by consultation with partners, volunteers, internal stakeholders and beneficiaries and it is evidence-based;
3.2 Effective linkages are made between other prpgramme portfolios (i.e. civil society and social accountability and health);
3.3 Signature package/s are developed for particular strands of work to facilitate fundraising efforts;
3.4 Ambitious programme plan is designed and meets the needs and expectations of the organization;
3.5 The programme is delivered on time, to budget, scope and quality standards specified with expected benefits realized.
4.1 Increase in VSO’s funding from donors, with an emphasis on seeking funding that allows us to work to scale;
4.2 Existing donor commitments fully reported on and fulfilled.
5.1 Programme Budget is monitored and appropriate action taken if required.
6.1 M&E activities are carried out, as per VSO guidance and used to inform programme and make decisions on future partnerships.
6.2 Learning is shared within country office and VSO.
7.1 Volunteers are supported in their placements, and empowered to work effectively with partners, and they actively engaged to achieve their placement objectives. / Working together - Strength
Successfully works as a team member and develops others’ team-working skills.
Communications and influencing - Strength
Inspires others by: advocating plans and ideas within and outside VSO; maintaining a wide, influential network; coaching.
Managing Knowledge - Strength
Leads initiatives that improve knowledge management; develops others’ knowledge management skills.
Striving for excellence - Strength
Leads initiatives to improve monitoring, evaluation and learning; is a role model for continuous learning and improvement.
Managing Resources- Strength
Leads others to pursue significant or innovative funding opportunities; finds creative ways to allocate funds and people on complex projects effectively.
Leading for the Future
Builds confidence and excitement in VSO’s work and vision, both internally and externally; leads innovative projects.
Thinking Strategically
Leads strategic projects, coaching others to consider global and long-term impact, and to consult within and beyond VSO.
Delivering Results - Strength
Effectively leads complex projects, generating a goal-oriented, problem-solving team mentality and ensuring timely, high quality results. / Essential:
Development and Education sector knowledge: Able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of development issues and experience of applying these at project or community level. Experience and knowledge of the Education Sector. Previous experience of influencing at a senior level for development goals.
Analysis and Creative problem-solving Ability to analyse, grasp fundamentals of an issue, finding innovative ways to solve or pre-empt problems. Able to develop multiple ideas to solve an issue or situation and to see opportunities in a complex field. The ability to be analytical and also to take a swift decision, including in a high risk situation.
Programme Management Experience of planning, designing and managing programmes with many stakeholders, delivering in challenging contexts to deadline. Ability to understand wider objectives of the programme. Good knowledge of techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling programmes. Experience of organisational assessment, planning and review tools and processes.
Communication Excellent oral and written communication skills in English with ability to vary communication content and style to suit audience to inform, motivate and inspire. Ability to build strong working relationships across the organisation at all levels, inspiring confidence and credibility with employees.
Financial management and fundraising: Proven experience of securing external funding and grants, including proposal and report writing, or contributing to grant development. Evidence of understanding the challenges of donor and contract management and the implications for programme management. Experience of the financial management of budgets, including building a budget, monitoring and managing expenditure. Previous experience of having compiled financial reports
Leadership: Leadership and people management skills, experience of developing, coaching and managing high performing teams Evidence of ability to provide effective support to volunteers.
Able to travel and work long hours, including work away from the home base for up to 30% of time, both within the country and occasionally internationally and some weekend and evening work. (Time off in lieu of hours worked will be available for additional hours).
Desirable:
Practical experience gained within a volunteering/NGO context and of managing a volunteer programme.
Confidence and experience in external representation.
Experience and knowledge of the country and region and post graduate in education;
Fluency in Myanmar language.

How to apply

Please apply online by following this link: https://www.vsointernational.org/about/careers

VSO is committed to a policy of equal opportunities, and seeks to have a diverse workforce.

Applications are welcome from people of all origins, ethnicities, religions, gender, age, sexuality and disability. Every application will be reviewed against the above requirements with the position only.

Due to a high volume of applications, only short listed candidates will be contacted.