Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Senior Director of Programs, Training and M&E, will play a critical role in helping Friendship Bench achieve its vision to provide high quality programs and support of international partners. Responsible for a variety of significant activities including internal program operations, strengthen and train the facilitator team, and program evaluation services. She/he will be instrumental in ensuring consistent and effective internal processes and communications in order to strengthen Friendship Bench’s programs and maintain quality of impact.

Responsibilities

Leadership of program development, quality and implementation: Oversee the program operations and day to day leadership of Friendship Bench programs in Zimbabwe; Provide the Country Coordinators with management guidance, strategies for growth and implementation, and operational assistance; Assist in the hiring programmatic staff; conduct yearly performance evaluations of the program coordinators and implement the appropriate professional development tools and training to maximise operational effectiveness and to ensure the achievement of employee goals and performance benchmarks; Coordinate and direct expansion strategies including hiring, training and lead the new region identification process and site development start-up efforts; help build strategic partnerships in existing and new regions in Zimbabwe; Oversee the development of new remote program delivery modalities including online, phone and text base programs.

Develop a Train the Facilitator Team: Recruit and manage train the facilitator team that can be deployed to new sites and partners; Supervise the training of facilitators in Zimbabwe across all programs and platforms (remote); Ensure the management of effective training materials to support the train the facilitator approach; Enhance organisational excellence by establishing operational benchmarks, timelines, and resources needed to achieve strategic goals, proactively recommending and driving improvements as necessary; set standards for accountability and measurements of success.

Lead Monitoring and Evaluation: Oversee Friendship Bench’s evaluation activities including data collection systems, longitudinal evaluation and all contracts and activities relating to program evaluation and measurement; communicate and prepare all data collection summary reports and evaluation updates for the Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff; Develop a knowledge management system that ensures maximum sharing of information and learning throughout the organization – including for the franchisee/affiliate network; create an environment whereby Friendship Bench is known as a best -in-class learning organisation.

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred; at least ten years of professional experience in a general management role, ideally in a training centred institution; Mental health or similar background and interest; Highly organised and ability to wear multiple hats in an ambiguous, fast moving environment; a driving force who manages toward clarity and solutions; A successful track record in setting priorities, shaping processes, guiding investment in people and systems, and developing an infrastructure that creates a stronger and more efficient organization; Thorough understanding of project management and implementation; able to work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines and goals; A consummate team player with a flexible and creative approach; Excellent communication and coalition building skills with an ability to balance, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; high level of knowledge and understanding, especially as it relates to program replication, connecting programs to funding, creatively generating other resources, and building strategic partnerships.