The Director, Program Quality (DPQ) is a member of CARE Poland’s CORE Management Team (CMT) and will support relevant CO initiatives and assume overall responsibility, leadership and management of the CO’s Program Quality Unit. The DPQ is expected to provide strategic leadership in the areas of program development, monitoring and evaluation coupled with identification and establishment of strategic partnerships that ensure CARE Poland’s programs/projects make a significant contribution to refugee crisis response.
S/he will lead the development of a coherent approach and set priorities to advance CI’s Global Vision and Mission and Regional and Country Office priorities. The incumbent will oversee program quality for both the Cross Border and Refugee Program including (i) the design and coordinating the development and implementation of relevant CO strategies and EPP, (ii) leading the process of organizational change as needed, (iii) Knowledge management, program design and development, and (iv) program quality: monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact measurement. This position will contribute significantly to the Country Office’s commitment to effective humanitarian response, quality programming by identifying and mobilizing resources, maintaining relations with critical stakeholders including partners and leading the design of new programs, in addition to contributing to strategic planning, and advancing impact measurement. The person in this position will be expected to lead technical improvements in program design and development to ensure quality and adherence to programming standards and CARE’s programming principles. S/he will manage a team of professionals focused on the design, funding, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects, partnership cultivation and management, research, advocacy and communications that is informed by lessons learnt and realities on the ground.
S/he will ensure that our approaches are based on sound contextual and needs analyses, in coordination with and support from CARE wide technical teams and in collaboration and coordination with the CARE Ukraine CO as and when needed. S/he will demonstrate that the CO programs are achieving impact against agreed upon indicators and that the impact is being measured and reported. S/he will be accountable to provide feedback, support and guidance to both Program and Program Quality units as well as Partners and arrange for training and/or capacity building in areas identified as priorities. The position, will be based in Warsaw, will report directly to the Country Director and may be required to act when she is out of the country or office.

Responsibilities:

1. ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES
   • Lead the development and implementation of viable CO program strategies for the CO and its main program priorities, and thereafter assist the programs in advancing those priorities.
   • Ensure that the CO Humanitarian programming is aligned with the CARE Humanitarian strategy and designed to meet the emerging needs on the ground and donor priorities.
   • Support development and ongoing monitoring of Strategic Plans. Ensure alignment and coherence with CARE International (CI), regional and national priorities. Review and support COs in aligning to Regional Road-map priorities.
   • Assist CO in carrying out program reviews and making necessary adjustments to ongoing programs to better align them with organizational priorities including any critically identified Strategies for the region.
   • Promote the development and implementation of robust contextual analysis
   • Work with Programs and Partners in identifying opportunities for innovation
   • Seek strategic partnerships necessary to promote CARE’s vision and programming principles and ensure that thoss partners understand the COs program strategies.
   • Assist CD in the development and regular updating of an appropriate emergency preparedness plan and work with program teams to oversee the development and implementation of a CO Advocacy and Communications agenda.
   • Ensure that GED and gender mainstreaming is appropriately considered and addressed in all programs and by partners too
2. IMPACT MEASUREMENT & PROGRAM PERFORMANCE – Develop & maintain exceptional PQ
   • Direct the design, development, monitoring and evaluation of CO programs and projects in line with strategic plans and program strategy.
   • Ensure systems, plans and competent staffs are in place to guarantee the design and monitoring of high quality programs/projects.
   • Provide leadership in identifying and securing funding for CO interventions (project, programs etc) by engaging staff & partners
   • Ensure timely and quality provision of technical support by and to PQ Unit team members and to partners and CO interventions.
   • Develop and implement strategies to maximize the synergies among program areas and with program support elements.
   • Ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation and accountability systems are in place to demonstrate impact and that program lessons are being used to promote improved programming and learning.
   • Ensure timely and quality donor and government reporting per requirements by ensuring proper capture, measurement, evaluation and reporting of impact.
   • Facilitates the use of organizational performance systems (PIIRS) to improve program quality and impact.
   • Review CO impact data on a regular basis to ensure accuracy and completeness.
   • Lead the establishment of a robust and effective remote management and monitoring system with capable staffs in place.
3. CREATE & MAINTAIN A CULTURE OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE, LEARNING & KM
   • Ensure creative reflection, knowledge sharing, learning and accountability within and outside the CO through strengthening existing mechanisms and establishing others as required. This will also be adopted and applied to Partners as well.
   • Ensure the CO actively participates in organization wide and regional learning initiatives related to CARE’s priority program themes and approaches.
   • Develop and implement strategies for the consistent consolidation and use of lessons learned to improve program performance.
   • Lead the dissemination information generated by the Programs to the wider organization and external audience including using the power of story telling techniques and appropriate communications materials
   • Collaborate with the senior management team to develop and implement mechanisms of continuously ensuring the CO’s viability in the national and international operating context.
4. STAFF MANAGEMENT
   • Provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated Program Quality team.
   • Ensure the proper implementation of CARE’s performance management system for direct reports, including job description and development plans, regular feedback, mid-term reviews and annual performance appraisals.
   • Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive and honest feedback and coaching.
   • Identify necessary staff development, career development and succession planning strategies for direct reports.
   • Ensure that space and incentives are available to allow staff to develop and innovate.
   • Oversee the recruitment and orientation of new senior program staff.
   • Ensure that the CO program remains dynamic, with opportunities for innovation and personal growth by promoting a culture of, and mechanisms for, reflective practice and learning at all levels
   • Establish a reward system and model a culture that recognizes and supports innovation, risk taking and learning and coaching and mentoring as needed
5. EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
   • Develop and enhance relationships between the CO and other parts of CARE and external organizations so that CARE can maximize its impact on timely, relevant and effective humanitarian response.
   • Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant – counterparts, CI members, the locally-represented multi/bi-lateral donors, foundations, international and national NGOs and other civil society organizations.
   • Identify issues to be addressed to heighten and maintain a positive image and good visibility for CARE amongst donors and peers.
   • Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks and social movements.
   • Contribute to national dialogue on poverty reduction strategies, humanitarian response and related issues.
   • Ensure timely reporting and communications with CI members, donors, government and other key actors.
   • Ensure cordial relations and support the Communications and Advocacy Focal Points for the WOS program with the relevant and needed information and analysis
   • Identify and solicit partnerships that are viable and critical to work inside Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

Qualifications:

• Develop and enhance relationships between the CO and other parts of CARE and external organizations so that CARE can maximize its impact on timely, relevant and effective humanitarian response.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant – counterparts, CI members, the locally-represented multi/bi-lateral donors, foundations, international and national NGOs and other civil society organizations.
• Identify issues to be addressed to heighten and maintain a positive image and good visibility for CARE amongst donors and peers.
• Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks and social movements.
• Contribute to national dialogue on poverty reduction strategies, humanitarian response and related issues.
• Ensure timely reporting and communications with CI members, donors, government and other key actors.
• Ensure cordial relations and support the Communications and Advocacy Focal Points for the WOS program with the relevant and needed information and analysis.
• Identify and solicit partnerships that are viable and critical to work inside Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.
• At least 5 years experience in strategic and operational management – including humanitarian assistance, strategy design and implementation.
• Skilled in coordinating networks and building synergies across teams. Advanced communication, facilitation and consensus building skills.
• Strong demonstrative experience in change management including strategic and business planning and leading organizational transformation coupled with a sound knowledge of program quality, program development and implementation and partnerships, remote management and monitoring and GED.