POSITION SUMMARY
Care for Children is undergoing significant reform with changing government regulations across Africa and Asia and transitioning from Institutional Care to home and home like environments. Children with disabilities have often been the first to enter institutional care and the last leave. A number of Misean Cara members, primarily sister led congregations in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa, deliver disability services. Misean Cara is partnering with the the US-based GHR Foundation and the Catholic Care for Children International (CCCI) under the UISG to lead the development of an approach to preventing children with disabilities enterring care institutions and to transition disabled children from institutions back to home like environments in the community.
The Programme Coordinator will work with the member congregations to support project implementation and distil learning. The coordinator will research emerging best practice in the borader context, evalute and distil learning from the supported member projects, work with members to apply learning within their work and promote good practice within the Misean Cara network, the CCCI, wider catholic church institutions and the disability sector.
Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with Misean Cara members and CCCI is essential. The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of disability and development and excellent research, evaluation and presentation skills. The position will involve international travel.
This is a fixed term, three-year post.
REPORTS TO: Learning & Development Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The principal focus of this role is the management and oversight of the programme “Caring for Children with Disabilities: A Collaborative Initiative of Catholic Sisters in Africa”, jointly funded by Misean Cara (with funds from Irish Aid) and the GHR Foundation.
1. Liaison and Coordination
Liaise with representatives of the member organisations and projects involved, gathering and sharing information on project activities.
Promote a community of practice between the projects with a view to identifying and promoting learning and best practice.
Organise a regular sharing of information between participating projects, including convening virtual and in-person meetings.
Develop a network of key stakeholders beyond Misean Cara projects and including the country and international offices of the catholic care for children initiative, to promote the partnership as a community of practice around the provision of family and community-based care for children with disabilities.
2. Research and Analysis
Conduct an internal rapid assessment of members in respect of their capacity to deliver best practice care for children within families and communities, collaborate with key stakeholders and advocate with key actors in the field.
Analyse both gaps and strengths from this internal assessment into coherent learning report(s) for implementation.
Conduct an external rapid assessment (desk and field research) of the landscape of care in the countries of intervention.
3. Learning and Programme Development
Establish and manage a Programme Learning Group
Prepare a capacity development plan based on gap analysis for Misean Cara members.
Develop a programme of shared learning including workshops and webinars to promote best practice in the sector.
Identify and establish opportunities to strengthen the capacity of other key staff in care institutions.
Organise an end-of-programme conference to highlight key learnings and impacts (Year 3)
4. Reporting and Communications
Prepare narrative and financial reports for donors as required.
Contribute to Misean Cara’s annual suite of organisational-level reports
Provide case studies and stories of change for use in Misean Cara’s communications and media work.
Provide quarterly updates to the Misean Cara management team on the progress of the programme, identifying opportunities and challenges as they arise.
5. General
Contribute to cross-organisational initiatives as required
Work flexibly and undertake any other tasks and responsibilities in support of the overall work of Misean Cara, as may be assigned by the line manager or the CEO.
Work in a professional manner upholding the values and culture of Misean Cara.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
A degree-level qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline
At least five years’ experience in the development sector, including experience living and working in the Global South
Experience in the area of disability, including service delivery, lobbying and advocacy, with a particular emphasis on the care of children with disabilities.
Experience in monitoring and evaluation within the international development sector
A high degree of self-sufficiency and initiative, and the ability to innovate
The ability to work well in a team
Excellent writing skills in English across a range of styles
Excellent interpersonal, problem solving and listening skills
Excellent IT skills, particularly in the use of the MS Office suite
Willingness and availability to travel to project sites and to Ireland

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
An affinity with development work undertaken by missionaries
A masters-level qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline
Experience taking a participatory approach to development, particularly participatory monitoring and evaluation
Experience and skills in policy development and advocacy work
Experience of working in or with a membership-based organisation
Technical expertise in relation to IT-based data management systems
Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swahili, or any language spoken widely in the Global South

TERMS AND BENEFITS
Depending on the location of the successful candidate, the position may be based in Ireland or in one of the project countries (Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and South Africa) on a three-year fixed term contract. The salary range for this post is €37,000 to €50,000, depending on experience.
Please see job description.

To apply:
Please email your CV and a cover letter outlining how your motivation, experience and skills meet the requirements for the position, to jobs@miseancara.ie Please insert “Programme Coordinator” in the subject line.
Closing date: Wednesday, 12th July, 17:30 Irish time
Interviews: A first round of interviews will be held online on Wednesday 19th July. If required, a second round, which may involve face-to-face interviews, will be held on Wednesday 26th July.