Job Posting Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning - HQ Closing Date: Friday, July 17 th 2015 Organization: Department/Division: Work location: Authorized to Work in: Right To Play International Headquarters/ International Programs Toronto, Canada Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen or permanent resident) BACKGROUND: Right To Play is a global organization, using the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps over one million children learn through play to create better futures, while driving lasting social change in more than 20 countries each week. Founded in 2000 by social entrepreneur and four-time Olympic gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national fundraising offices in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Regional offices are in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 16,400 local volunteer Coaches. JOB SUMMARY: The Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), reporting to the Senior Director, Global Program Development and Quality (GPDQ), is primarily required to enable the research, analysis, evaluation and learning outcomes that provide an ongoing stream of program evidence that can be communicated to donors, fundraisers, program staff, partners, management and the Board. This role is responsible for guiding and leading all internal and external evaluations at Right To Play. There is a considerable amount of knowledge and scientific expertise required particularly as it relates to working in developing countries. Overseeing the MEL team at headquarters and the field, the role will require consultation and collaboration at many levels of the organization. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Job Responsibility #1: Team Leadership and Management (20% of Time): Creates a clear and compelling vision for the team s work; engages the team to develop ambitious but achievable goals and supports the integration of the unit into the larger International Programs and Right To Play teams Develops and manages strategic and operational plans for the global MEL team Creates and sustains a continuous improvement culture of innovation, achievement, support and learning within the team
Provides ongoing leadership and mentorship for the team including core management duties (performance management, development planning) Job Responsibility #2: Monitoring and Evaluation (20% of Time): Oversees/leads all internal and external program evaluations to develop and promote a learning agenda that build the knowledge necessary to inform program planning, funding decisions, and strategic directions for the organization Oversees all major donor evaluations, ensuring evaluations are balanced across core evaluation principles, including accuracy, propriety, feasibility, and utility Ensures that evaluation variables are strategically identified and donor requirements are measured Oversees the design, data collection methods and process, data analysis, and representation of findings using the highest scientific rigor and contextual relevance as possible Manages proofpoint work, including preparing regional and country offices to undertake this level of rigor, building partnerships to support in evaluations, ensuring the necessary tools and systems are in place, and overseeing proofpoint assessments and evaluations Provides technical oversight to the global M&E and program teams to ensure effective implementation of internal monitoring and evaluation practices Job Responsibility #3: Monitoring Systems and Organizational Capacity Building (15% of Time): Manages transformation of Right To Play into a learning and evidence-driven organization Leads on the assessment of organization s capacity needs and opportunities in MEL Ensures effective systems and processes that enable the success of the measurement strategy by overseeing the strengthening and periodic review of measurement tools and processes, data management and utilization systems, MEL standards and guidelines Coordinates with program teams to ensure best practices in monitoring, evaluation, research, and advocacy are integrated in RTP s work Oversees development of comprehensive M&E frameworks and systems for international programs and continually refine the framework and systems. Ensures a system of monitoring is in place that regularly gathers and consolidates data at an organizational level Leads, mentors, trains and provides technical support to the M&E Team (including Field Offices) to build capacity in M&E systems and to enhance M&E vision and systems Assesses the capacity of RTP staff and partners with respect to program delivery, evaluation and learning Job Responsibility #4: Implementation of the Measurement Strategy and Planning (15% of Time): Ensures quality implementation of the organizational measurement strategy, monitors and reports on performance indicators and variances Develops and manages MEL strategy, annual plans and budgets for implementation of Global MEL priorities and change projects
Accountable for alignment of MEL components of region-wide plans and major funding proposals, with organizational priorities and strategic directions Develops and recommends an evaluation strategy and related plans that ensures critical and timely knowledge acquisition and dissemination which adds strategic value to Right To Play Assesses industry-wide evaluation trends and standards of practice Recommends a comprehensive program of research that would advance the ability of Right To Play to contribute to the field of knowledge in our sectors of operation Job Responsibility #5: Program Design, Planning and Implementation (15% of Time): Leads on the development of strategic partnerships and networks with key universities, research institutions, and international NGOS for the purpose of advancing Right To Play s measurement strategy and contributing to a broader sector-level knowledge base (in collaboration with Institutional Partnerships and Policy and Advocacy teams) Manages the development and implementation of a multi-year research plan to advance the evidence and knowledge base of the sport for development and play-based learning movement Leads on the process for reviewing academic research proposals and determining suitability and degree of alignment with organizational priorities. Develop guidelines and protocols for academic research on Right To Play programs Prepares papers, reports and articles for external public consumption that may include academic journals, industry publications, advocacy forums, other NGO s etc. Accurately presents Right To Play findings at conferences, forums, special interest groups nationally and internationally Job Responsibility #6: Learning, Dissemination, and Data Utilization (internal and external) (10% of Time): Manages internal data communication and utility approach that ensures that staff across the organization are learning about and discussing findings from outcome assessments, evaluations, and research studies, and that key findings are informing ongoing planning and decision-making Oversees the planning for data communication (e.g. findings on impacts, measurement strategy communications) on the Right To Play website. Ensures MEL findings are continually communicated in a timely and relevant way, influencing key programmatic, strategic, fundraising, and communication initiatives Builds and maintains relationships with key evidence-based external organizations and individuals in Right To Play s sectors of operation including: o Universities, evaluation organizations, research organizations o Think tanks, thought leaders, world experts o Development and Humanitarian organizations o Right To Play partner organizations o Governments o Doctoral/Master s thesis students
Job Responsibility #7: Perform Other Duties (5% of Time): Perform other duties as assigned. EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION: Required (must have): Masters degree in social sciences or international development Training or certification in statistics and quantitative measurements Desired (an asset): Ph.D. in social sciences or international development Fluency in a second language (French / other languages used where RTP operates) Membership or certification in a professional evaluation association (Canadian Evaluation Society) EXPERIENCE: Required (must have): 10 years of experience in the International Development and/or Humanitarian sector (preferably with overseas experience) Experience in designing systems for capturing and assessing both impact and performance data that facilitate organizational learning and credible evidence Experience in managing program evaluation in the international development context Experience in the preparation of evaluation reports for different audiences technical, management, government, donors and other stakeholders Desired (an asset): Experience in managing projects with multiple stakeholders Minimum 2 years field experience in developing countries Experience managing teams, both local and remote COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: Advanced interpersonal and verbal communication skills, in particular to lead an international and multidisciplinary team Strong analytical and conceptual skills to think and plan strategically and the ability to translate this into practical and feasible operational program planning both in written and verbal formats Comfortable being a thought leader and advancing the frontiers of knowledge in an innovative organization
Compensation: Employment Start Date: Contract Duration: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package Immediately Indefinite Term HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to: hr@righttoplay.com and kindly include Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Right To Play is a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com. Right To Play - Human Resources Philosophy Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses the power of sport and play to improve the lives of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. We believe that all children have the right to play. Right To Play s human resources philosophy reflects the spirit that drives the organization. The philosophy influences the kind of people who are interested in working for us, the kind of people we recruit and how we treat our people. Right To Play s culture is entrepreneurial, where employees are encouraged and empowered to perform in the context of rapid international growth, and to aim for the highest quality and adopt global best practices in delivering our programs. Our employees are global citizens who are passionate about improving the world we live in through value-based grassroots activities. We work on the ground with and through people in the communities we serve to improve the lives of their children. By having a constant presence in these communities and helping them develop the resources and skills they need to help themselves, we aim for sustainable, long-term development. To translate our vision into action, our philosophy for delivering our programs is LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, LOOK AFTER ONE ANOTHER. Our employees are the backbone of this delivery, and the philosophy supports them by defining the desired outcomes of our human resources philosophy. This means that we pay competitive salaries, provide comprehensive benefits, encourage employee social events, provide development opportunities and a great work environment. We measure the success of this philosophy by indicators such as employee satisfaction surveys and staff turnover rate, as well as the overall success of Right To Play.