Join a small and dynamic team dedicated to expanding the poor's access to responsible financial services and income generating opportunities. Specialising in microfinance, financial literacy, and livelihood development programs, Good Return (www.goodreturn.org)  is World Education Australia's (www.worlded.org.au) flagship program.

Good Return works where people in need are. We are a social enterprise that provides small loans to people in the Asia Pacific who want to start or expand a small business, grow their income, and change their lives for the better.

Title: Program Quality Lead

Responsible to: Program Director

Direct Reports: Program Coordinator (Philippines), Program Coordinator (Pacific)

Scope of position: The Program Quality Lead’s primary role is to strengthen the quality of WEAL / Good Return program activities through the development and management of a program quality and compliance framework, incorporating monitoring & evaluation, staff training, research and learning activities. The incumbent will also act as Relationship Lead for partnerships in the Philippines and the Pacific.

The location of the position is in Eltham Melbourne. However the role involves considerable travel, and requires an availability and willingness to spend up to 50% of time travelling overseas.

Applicants must have an appropriate visa to work full-time in Australia.

Initially a 12-month contract, the position is expected to become a long-term position within the organisation.

The role attracts a salary package of up to $80,000 (inclusive of 9% superannuation) depending on experience, with access to FBT tax benefits as we are a PBI registered organisation.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

1.   Developing and Managing WEAL’s Program Quality & Compliance Framework

• a.    Develop and manage the implementation of a Program Quality & Compliance Framework that ensures WEAL’s program activities continue to improve in quality and are implemented in accordance with relevant internal and external policies, legal requirements and guidelines.
• b.    Take ownership of WEAL’s Program Manual, revising form and content as needed, and ensuring its contents are effectively communicated to program staff.
• c.    Coordinate field research and continuous learning activities.
• d.    Coordinate program team professional development activities.
• e.    Prepare internal and external reports and provide program data for annual report.
• f.     Support program development efforts and other tasks as required.

2.   Relationship Lead for Philippines and the Pacific

• a.    Maintain good working relationships and regular communications with WEAL partners (min. monthly) and identify and pursue strategic opportunities in designated countries.
• b.    Participate with Program Director in annual in-country Partnership Reviews, and develop and manage annual plans and budgets.
• c.    Supervise in-country Program Coordinators, maintaining regular contact (at least weekly) and providing mentoring, support and performance management.
• d.    Facilitate communications between the partner agency and various WEAL / Good Return team members as required.
• e.    Meet with the head of each partner agency quarterly to review partnership status and progress against annual plans.
• f.   Provide status updates at monthly Program Management team meetings.

Essential

• A strategic thinker, with strong analytical skills and attention to detail                     
• A passion and personal commitment to working towards a world free of absolute poverty                    
• At least five years’ experience working in the international development sector                   
• A post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline                    
• Extensive monitoring & evaluation experience                   
• Experience living and working in a developing country                  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Desirable                      

• Research knowledge and skills                     
• Fluency in an Asian language                    
• Experience in training, livelihoods, microenterprise development or microfinance                   
• Experience working in the Pacific or the Philippines                    
• Familiarity with AusAID and ACFID policies and processes                   
• Experience managing small teams
• Proposal writing experience and success

Please submit your application with CV + brief cover letter which addresses the 'Responsibilities and Tasks' and 'Qualifications' using the green "I'm Interested" button below.

Applications are due by COB Monday 29th April 2013. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Any enquiries can be emailed to [email protected] with the position name in the subject.