Interim Vice President, Impact & Quality (Parental...

Interim Vice President, Impact & Quality (Parental Leave Cover)Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and leading a global Program Quality & Impact (PQI) team, the Interim Vice President, Impact & Quality is primarily responsible for driving forward organizational strategic priorities to:Elevate children and young people’s learning and well -being through playBuild evidence on the impact of play to influence policy and systemScale impact through partnership, collaboration, and innovationDeliver programs that respond to a rapidly changing world and climateThe Vice President, Impact & Quality serves as a critical member of the Executive Team at Right to Play International’s Global office. You will steward the organizational strategy (2024-2026) and Theory of Change and drive the development and delivery of programmatic strategies. You will lead the PQI team, who in turn provide technical support in relation to program delivery, training, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning to 14 country teams.You will work closely with colleagues across the Executive Team, including the Vice President, Country Offices and Vice President, Fundraising to help promote and diversify funding through effective resource stewardship and relationship building with Senior Management Teams in countries of operation. You will provide mentoring, guidance, supervision, and professional development to PQI and country program and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) teams, ensure that departmental and organizational objectives and operating requirements are met and align with the mission of Right To Play operating as a highly integrated global organisation. Up to 10% international travel is anticipated, but this is negotiable depending on the candidate’s circumstances. Travel will include visits to Right To Play’s program countries, Global offices (London, UK and Toronto, Canada) and to undertake external representation opportunities.ABOUT USRight To Play is a global leader in delivering play-based programs that promote children and young people’s learning and well-being. Established in 2000, Right To Play reaches children through experiential programming in 14 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These programs are supported by our headquarters in Toronto, Canada; London, UK and seven national offices across Europe and North America.We put children and young people at the centre: We strive for inclusive and meaningful participation of children and young people in all their diversity. We engage children through participatory approaches that amplify their voices and experiences.We have a 24-year track record: Since 2000, we’ve been using playful approaches to improve outcomes for children and young people. In that time, we’ve fostered strong partnerships and established credibility with the communities we serve across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Canada.We know that playing is learning: Play is a universal language. Children across cultures make sense of the world by playing. We have experience offering adaptable play-based approaches that have a proven impact on children’s holistic development.OUR MISSIONTo protect, educate, and empower children to rise above adversity using the power of play.OUR PROGRAMSOur four core programs focus on:OUR CULTUREWith a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusionMake Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovateDisplay Courage – Act with integrityDemonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one anotherBe Playful – Have fun at workFor more information on our work and impact please read our Annual Report. Please also watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.WHAT YOU’LL DO1. Strategic leadership related to program quality and impact (30%)Steward Right To Play International’s organizational and programmatic strategies, ensuring best in class program delivery, cutting-edge innovation, continuous learning and improvement and collaborative partnerships to deliver impactful play-based programming for children and young peopleProvide effective, inspiring leadership, as well as stewardship of Right To Play’s resources, by being actively involved in and overseeing all programs and services offered by Right To PlayPlay a critical role in developing our thought leadership, promoting and supporting organisational learning and sharing successful/ innovative approachesProvide leadership for strategic planning processes with the CEO, the Executive Team, and Right To Play staff and International Board of DirectorsRepresent Program Quality and Impact function on the Executive Team and to the International Board of DirectorsContinue the roll out of organizational Theory of Change alongside programmatic strategies to drive the design and delivery of high quality and integrated interventions based on Right To Play’s strengths and evidence of what worksSupport country offices to deliver programs aligned with global strategic plan and priorities and indicators2. Team Leadership and Management (25%)Maintain a clear and compelling vision for the PQI team’s work; engage the team to develop ambitious but achievable goals and support the integration of the unit into the larger Right To Play teamsDevelop and manage strategic and operational plans for the global PQI teamCreate and sustain a continuous improvement culture of innovation, achievement, support and learning within the team, country offices and programsProvide ongoing leadership and mentorship for the team including core management duties (performance management, development planning)Oversee work planning, performance management, and professional growth and development for the PQI team and support development of professional development plans for country Programs and MEL staffBuild relationships and share learning and best practice with functions that utilize evidence including fundraising, communications and country offices3. Program Development and Operational Excellence (20%)Oversee the development and implementation of program strategies, and establish and monitor progress against program and organisational metrics and milestones, regularly updating leadership teams on progress against targetsGuide and integrate efforts to align all business processes and reinforce a “One Right To Play” organizational structure and culture to ensure the effectiveness of major programs and initiatives by focusing energies and operations to achieve Right To Play objectivesAssist in the development, implementation, enforcement, and monitoring of program policies and procedures for effective grant compliance and deliveryPrepare and submit an annual operational budget for review and board approval, manage effectively within this budget identifying opportunities for cost savings and cost effectiveness, ensure continued financial viability of program services, and report accurately on progress made and challenges encounteredProvide direction and support for all country office planning processes led by the VP, Country Offices and act as the champion for program quality and impact to continue to develop and improve program models and approaches through ongoing research, testing and innovation.4. Organisational Leadership and External Representation (15%)Drive delivery against organizational priorities as a member of Right To Play’s global Executive Team, including the development of organisation-wide strategic goalsSupport the CEO and members of the Executive Team in building relationships with international stakeholders, including government officials, fellow NGOs, and donors, as well as Board stewardshipCollaborate with Executive Team on critical organisational issues, represent programs at Board level, provide strong external fundraising representation with donors and stakeholders, promote internal collaboration between programs, fundraising and communications and other teamsRepresent Right To Play as a thought-leader at high-level fora, conferences, round tables, events and meetings; cultivate relationships and partnerships that can advance Right To Play’s mission and vision through our global advocacy effortBuild and maintain relationships with relevant thematic community practitioners and donors, thought-leaders, world experts, as well as development and humanitarian organisations, governments and partners.5. Performs other duties as required (10%)Promote and uphold high standards of safeguarding, participation and accountability across all of Right To Play’s workUnderstand and embed the principles of gender equality and social inclusion into project and program design, implementation and quality assuranceUphold a commitment to learn about, promote and embed play-based approaches to learningEngages in ongoing learning and upskilling related to gender equality and social inclusion through play-based learningWHO YOU ARE:You are a big-picture thinker who is passionate about bringing your skills and experience to Right To Play and you are highly motivated by our mission and working in a values-based organization. You are a driven and innovative senior leader who is a playful learning advocate. You have a combination of strategic and practical skills to ensure the highest quality and impact of evidence-based programs. You build a ‘culture of learning’ and inform decisions by generating evidence of what works. You are a highly collaborative leader energized by working across teams, geographies and levels to support a shared mission. You maintain an inclusive, supportive and happy team and are able to inspire and motivate those you manage.QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:Be a passionate advocate for the power of playful learning and a demonstrated ability to communicate this passion and impact to inspire othersA minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in a NGO, nonprofit, government, or philanthropy, overseeing global programs serving children and youth ideally in an international development context (preferably with lived experience in a program country context)Master’s degree in social sciences, international development or equivalent practical experienceDemonstrated experience managing a high-performing team in a global structure with a deep commitment to the values of diversity, inclusiveness and empowermentExceptional leadership and interpersonal communication skills required to lead, support, and inspire an international and multidisciplinary teamStrong research and analysis skills and an ability to utilise evidence to make decisions and drive quality improvementsComprehensive working knowledge of program planning, organisational structure, budgeting, administrative operations and fundraisingExcellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to represent the organisation externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituenciesComfortable being a thought leader and advancing the frontiers of knowledge in an innovative organizationStrong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholdersFlexible and open to new ideas; adaptive; eager to learn; comfortable with taking risk; full of initiative; and inquisitive yet decisiveA good sense of humor; listens to others, and accepts different opinions; is a leader and a team player; is cooperative and able to build bridges; has a deep respect for different culturesFluency in oral and written EnglishFluency in a second language (French, Arabic, Portuguese) an assetWHAT YOU’LL GET:The opportunity to collaborate with an innovative global team who are passionate about working with children and youth. You will gain experience working for a globally recognized organization with a healthy culture premised on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care and be playful). You will be immersed in an environment where learning and development is encouraged and valued, and “play” is appreciated as a core avenue to building community.Competitive salary and benefitsFlexible work arrangements (e.g. work from home and flex hours)5 personal learning and development (L&D) days per yearAnnual learning weekAnnual staff recognition awardsOpportunity to connect with employees across our offices (Global Buddy Chat, Facebook Workplace)Opportunity to engage in global projects and initiativesWellness programsPlayful activities and eventsIf you are interested in applying for this position, please apply with your resume and cover letter in English via the application link.While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Shortlisting of applications will begin immediately, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.Right To Play provides equal employment opportunities to employees regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. As such, we encourage groups who have been historically disadvantaged with respect to employment to apply for positions at Right To Play. We offer a family-friendly environment that allows for flexible work arrangements in order to support staff diversity and ensure a healthy work-life balance.We value and promote a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Should you require any accessibility related accommodations or specific adjustments to ensure fair and equitable access throughout the recruitment and selection process, and thereafter, please reach out to the People & Culture team by email at [email protected] . All information provided will be treated as confidential and used only to provide an accessible candidate experience.We are a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening or equivalent criminal check as a condition of employment.If you have any enquiries relating to this role, please contact Alecia Ng, Global Talent Acquisition Specialist at [email protected] .To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com . #J-18808-Ljbffr