Programme Quality and Knowledge Lead
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
Job Description
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.
Do you have a Master’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, or a related field?
Do you have 6 years senior leadership and management in programme quality, MEAL, research, or knowledge management within development and/or humanitarian contexts?
Do you have Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations?
If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you.
The Role:
Oxfam is looking for Programme Quality and Knowledge Lead;
The Programme Quality and Knowledge (PQK) Lead provides strategic leadership for programme quality, MEAL, learning, evidence generation, and accountability systems across the SAF Cluster. The role ensures that programme implementation is underpinned by robust evidence, consistent quality standards, and effective learning systems, enabling adaptive programming and impactful influencing.
Programme Quality Leadership & Standards (18%)
Duties and Responsibilities
Provides strategic leadership to ensure consistent programme quality across the Cluster.
Establish and maintain harmonised programme quality standards and frameworks
Ensure consistency in programme design, implementation, and reporting across countries
Guide Programme Managers and Coordinators on quality assurance approaches
MEAL Systems Strengthening & Integration (18%)
Leads the development and integration of robust MEAL systems across the Cluster.
Design and oversee cluster-wide MEAL frameworks and tools
Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and results tracking across programmes
Strengthen integration of MEAL into programme design and implementation
Evidence Generation, Research & Knowledge Management (14%)
Strengthens the generation and use of credible evidence to inform programming and influencing.
Lead development of evidence generation and research agendas
Ensure programme data is translated into insights, analysis, and knowledge products
Strengthen knowledge management systems and processes across the Cluster
Learning, Adaptive Programming & Decision Support (10%)
Drives a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.
Establish structured learning loops across programmes and teams
Facilitate reflection, review, and adaptive planning processes
Ensure programme insights inform strategic decision-making
Integration with Influencing & Regional Policy Engagement (10%)
Ensures strong linkage between evidence, influencing, and policy engagement.
Work closely with: Programme & Influencing Lead, Advocacy & Communications Manager, and SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead
Ensure evidence informs: Advocacy strategies, Policy engagement, and Regional positioning
Support development of evidence-based policy briefs and advocacy materials
Partner MEAL Capacity Strengthening & Accountability (10%)
Strengthens partner capacity in MEAL, accountability, and evidence generation.
Support partners to develop and implement effective MEAL systems
Strengthen partner capacity in: Data collection and analysis, Learning and reflection, and Accountability to communities
Results Reporting & Donor Accountability (8%)
Ensures high-quality results reporting and accountability to donors and stakeholders.
Oversee development of programme reports and results frameworks
Ensure reporting is: Accurate, Evidence-based, and Aligned with donor requirements
Leadership & Management of PQK Function (8%)
Leads and manages the PQK team and function across the Cluster.
Line manage MEAL and knowledge staff where applicable
Build team capacity in: Evidence generation, Data analysis, and Learning facilitation
Systems Strengthening & Cross-Functional Coordination (4%)
Ensures PQK systems are integrated across all functions.
Work closely with: Programme teams, Business Development, and Operations
Strengthen alignment between: Programme delivery, Evidence systems, and Funding and reporting requirements
Qualifications and Experience
What we are looking for:
We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do.
An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:
Master’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, or a related field
Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations
6 years senior leadership and management in programme quality, MEAL, research, or knowledge management within development and/or humanitarian contexts
Demonstrated experience in designing and leading MEAL systems across multi-country or complex programme portfolios
Strong technical expertise in research methods, data analysis, and evidence generation (qualitative and quantitative)
Proven experience in integrating evidence and learning into programme design, adaptive management, and influencing
Experience working in partner-led programming models, including strengthening partner MEAL and accountability systems
Demonstrated experience in results reporting, donor compliance, and accountability frameworks
Experience operating in multi-country, matrixed organisational structures, with the ability to influence across teams without direct authority.
Experience of managing complex change processes and relationships involving a wide range of both internal and external multi-cultural stakeholders across a variety of disciplines and geographical areas.
Demonstrated experience in being a leader in promoting women’s rights and gender equity
How to Apply
