Head of programme jobs

Venn Group is delighted to be supporting a cultural charity in the recruitment of a Head of Philanthropy for a 9 month fixed-term contract. This key role will lead the major giving strategy and oversee a high-performing team across individual giving, schematic giving programmes, and trusts & foundations, driving philanthropic growth and supporter engagement.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Oversee and drive strategy for individual major donor fundraising, including managing a personal portfolio of high-net-worth supporters
• Provide strategic oversight of the trusts & foundations fundraising activity, supporting team leads in delivering funding goals
• Ensure financial targets are met across major giving, schematic giving schemes, and trusts & foundations
• Lead and support a team of Philanthropy Managers across multiple income streams, promoting collaboration, inclusion, and development
• Ensure high-quality stewardship of all donors through tailored engagement, communications, and events
• Work with senior leaders and colleagues across the organisation to support integrated fundraising initiatives and shared goals
• Identify new fundraising opportunities and encourage innovation across philanthropic income generation
• Ensure accurate reporting, income tracking, and database management (e.g. Raiser’s Edge) across all philanthropic areas

Ideal candidate profile:

• Strong track record in major donor and/or trust fundraising, particularly in arts or cultural settings
• At least 5 years in a senior fundraising management role, with direct team management and performance oversight
• Strong strategic thinking, budget management, and project planning capabilities
• Persuasive, diplomatic communicator with the ability to build and manage high-level relationships
• Strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, professional development, and out-of-hours donor engagement

Agency reference number: J89252

Location: Central London

Duration: 9 month fixed-term contract

Salary: £52,000 - £61,000 per annum

Working hours: Full time

Working pattern: Hybrid (2 days per week on site)

This vacancy will be actively shortlisted so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.

Head of Services

Merseyside Society for Deaf

Liverpool, based out of Queen’s Drive office and community hub (L13 0DJ), with some travel to attend meetings and some flexibility for home working

Salary £35,000-£38,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Permanent

Full time, 35 hours per week with flexibility to meet needs of the role and the service with on-call rota system

Excellent benefits including 27 days annual leave per year, rising to 32 days after 5 years’ service, Employee Assistance Programme, pension with 3% employer contribution, professional development opportunities, 5 days paid study leave, sick pay

 Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for people, purpose, and operational excellence? Are you looking for a new role within a values-led, community-focused organisation where you will change lives, lead teams and develop your own professional skill set?

Charity People are delighted to be supporting Merseyside Society for Deaf (MSDP), a charity which advances equality for people with hearing loss across Merseyside and beyond, with their recruitment for a new Head of Services.

MSDP is a charity with a long history, with roots traced back to 1864, making them one of the oldest d/Deaf charities in the country. Communities are central to MSDP’s services and as a result, the charity are an important part of the d/Deaf and hard of hearing community in Merseyside. MSDP are devoted to helping Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing people achieve a full, active and influencing role in mainstream society.

The Head of Services is a senior role that plays a vital part in shaping and delivering MSDP’s mission. You will help lead the day-to-day delivery of services, ensuring they are effective, inclusive, and high-quality. Working alongside Service Managers, you’ll coordinate projects and contracts to meet the needs of the people and communities MSDP serves. You’ll help ensure services are delivered with integrity, impact, and compassion.

Key responsibilities

• Operational Leadership and Service Delivery: Oversee the effective day-to-day running of services, ensuring compliance, quality outcomes, confidentiality, and accurate record-keeping.
• People and Performance Management: Supervise and support Service Managers and teams, set performance standards, promote staff development, and ensure safe and effective recruitment practices.
• Project, Contract and Financial Oversight: Lead project delivery and contract management, monitor risks, support tender submissions, and manage budgets and resources in line with strategic and contractual priorities.
• Data, Reporting and Strategic Insight: Analyse and present key performance data to support service improvement and inform decision-making and prepare high-quality reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Legal, Risk and Safeguarding Compliance: Ensure robust safeguarding practices, manage operational risks, and uphold legal, regulatory, and confidentiality requirements across all service areas.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in managing operational services in health, social care or charity sectors, with strong project management and delivery experience. You will also have a strong track record in staff supervision and team leadership with excellent leadership and team motivation skills. You will understand safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection (DPA, GDPR) with knowledge of service performance frameworks and contract compliance. A strong communicator, you will be able to create reports and presentations and be able to analyse data and derive insights. You will have budget and resource management skills with strong planning, organisational and risk management experience. You will be able to work independently and manage time effectively with a flexible, adaptable and problem-solving attitude. You will be committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and to the values and mission of the organisation. A willingness to learn British Sign Language (BSL), if not already proficient, is essential.

You may have experience working with or in Deaf or disability services and familiarity with Deaf culture and BSL. The ideal candidate would have experience in tender writing and funding applications, experience of contract management and reporting to commissioners and funders, and knowledge of adult social care commissioning, but these are desirable criteria. A willingness to learn British Sign Language (BSL) if not already proficient is essential.

Being part of the MSDP team is hugely rewarding, and what makes MSDP different is their culture and specialisms. Most of the staff team are Deaf and they have frontline staff who are able to communicate in British Sign Language and Deaf-Blind Manual/Hands on. New staff will benefit from learning about deafness, the inequalities that exist in access to mainstream services and the impact of those barriers on our beneficiaries. Meetings are fully accessible so we welcome people from across the d/Deaf and hearing communities to apply. The role is based in Liverpool and you will need to be able to travel across Merseyside and surrounding areas.

How to apply

The application process is via an Application and Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. Please click apply to be directed to the MSDP website to download the application pack.

If you have a query or would like to request an informal conversation with by phone or video call with the CEO, please follow the instructions on the last page of the recruitment pack to email the MSDP Recruitment Team.

The closing date is 4pm on Wednesday 9 July 2025. Interviews will take place week commencing 21 July.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.

We’re looking for a strategically-minded leader to take forward our work in schools, including managing our new ‘Creating Supportive Environments’ project over the next three years. With knowledge and experience of the secondary school context in particular, the Programme Manager will lead on the development, delivery, and evaluation of new interventions in schools to sit alongside our ongoing delivery of the Rainbow Flag Award in the East of England.

Brixton House seeks a fixed term interim Head of Production.
 
As Interim Head of Production, you will lead the technical and production delivery of Brixton House’s performing arts programme, hires and events and creative activity across all spaces. Working closely with artists, visiting companies, and internal teams, you will ensure the highest quality production standards across all performances, events, and participation projects. You will also uphold the strategic planning and support the venue’s continued reputation for innovation, collaboration, and excellence in the arts. 
 
Location: Brixton House, London
 
Reports to: Executive Creative Producer, Chief Operating Officer and, Commercial Director  
 
Works most closely with: Head of Commercial partnerships and events, Head of Creative Engagement and the Senior Producer.  
 
Responsible for: Technical Manager, Senior technician, Technicians, freelance and sessional staff 
 
Salary: £45,500 
 
Contract Type: Interim, 6 months fixed term (potential for extension) 
 
Ideal start date: July 2025 – Feb 2026
 
Hours: Full-time, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends
 
Location: On-site at Brixton House, one day hybrid working. 
 
REF-222 269

The Programme Operations Manger is a new position at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. We are looking for someone who can lead and coordinate expert teams across two different work programmes, our Hebridean Whale Centre and whale research boat, Silurian. 

If you are looking for an exciting challenge, based on a beautiful island, with a fantastic team then we would love to hear from you. You do not need maritime experience to succeed in this role.

We are seeking an organised, responsible, and self-motivated person to head our Hebridean Whale Centre operations and lead our boat team.

We are looking for someone with a passion for our seas and wildlife and significant experience in people and project management.

Our ideal candidate will have excellent communication, coordination, and time management skills and be experienced in leading diverse teams.

Based in Tobermory the role includes responsibility for managing the charity’s retail operation and taking the lead on fundraising for the Centre and boat activities. Therefore, proven successful experience of charitable fundraising and knowledge of gift shop/charity retail activities would be an advantage.

The ability to ensure the effective co-ordination and delivery of the charity’s boat and centre operations, on time and within budget, as well as being able to work effectively with the wider team of staff, trustees, volunteers, and external contractors is central to all tasks.

A genuine interest in cetaceans and marine conservation is essential and an understanding of the workings of the third sector would be an advantage.

This is a varied role which differs from season to season and day to day. One day you might be debriefing with our expedition crew aboard our research vessel, the next developing new retail partnerships and promoting the Hebridean Whale Centre.

The role is based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull which is also where the charity's office, Centre and boat mooring are located. The Programme Operations Manager will work from the office in Tobermory and remotely from home as required to deliver the objectives of the role.

You need to have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role. As a small charity HWDT are unable to sponsor visa applications for international workers at this time.

The University of Bath is a place of energy and ambition, where academics, students and supporters alike drive to challenge ideas, push boundaries and create solutions that change lives. It’s exactly this spirit that makes Bath special. With top 10 league table rankings in 2025 and a string of recent accolades and awards, Bath is one of the most innovative and high-performing universities in the UK.

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor, took up his post in 2024, and a new Director of Advancement joined in 2025. As the University approaches its 60th anniversary, we are reflecting on our many successes and looking ahead to what’s next, ensuring that Bath remains at the forefront of research in digital, sustainability, and health and wellbeing – areas which already have had a global impact.

 
Advancement is at the heart of making that vision a reality, and we are building a high-performing team with the ambition and determination to match. With new leadership and a strong history of inspiring and developing teams, we are setting the stage for success. This is a department where you will be encouraged and empowered to make a significant mark and build your own career impact.  

For the Head of Philanthropy, this presents an opportunity to engage with an untapped, high-potential prospect portfolio. There are major gifts in the seven and eight figure range that we know are within our reach. We also have inspiring programmes and projects where funding partners can continue to shape and contribute to solving key societal challenges. 

This is an especially exciting time for us. We are preparing to welcome a new Chair of Council, who will play a pivotal role in shaping our governance and strategic direction. Alongside this, we are launching a new university strategy, designed to drive excellence in education, high-impact research and global partnerships. 

Joining our team means stepping into an environment where learning and development are at the forefront. You’ll be supported through a tailored L&D programme, created and led in collaboration with impressive sector leaders. Just as importantly, you’ll be working alongside committed and supportive colleagues who value collaboration and shared success. 
 
What do we stand for as a department? We believe in ambition, integrity and creating meaningful connections that drive real change. We’d love to see a colleague join us who is keen to stretch themselves, willing to learn from others, ready to share their experiences and committed to contributing positively to both Advancement and the wider University mission. 
 
So, if you thrive on building relationships, love the challenge of philanthropy, and want to be a key part of shaping Bath's future of research and innovation, we want to hear from you. 

For a confidential conversation about this exceptional opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners at Richmond Associates. For further information, key dates, and how to apply, please visit our website by clicking APPLY.

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to help you in your application or with our recruitment process.  

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment. We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. 

Closing date for applications: 09:00 on Monday 14th July 2025

Head of Funding and Green Finance - Western Forest

This is a rare, unique and exciting opportunity to take a lead role in developing the programme and setting the strategic path for the Western Forest – the first new national forest in over 30 years.

The Western Forest is a brand-new programme launched, with national and Ministerial profile, in March 2025. The Forest will support over 2.5 million people, cultivating a greener, more connected future by creating a landscape with trees and woodlands at its heart. The Western Forest will deliver landscape scale change and real green investment, connecting people and nature across three regions – Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the West of England (including North Somerset).

The Western Forest’s Head of Funding and Green Finance will drive, direct and manage the delivery of a diverse range of funding sources to deliver the new national forest. They will ensure the development of sustainable income streams and models of delivery by 2030. This role will be responsible for the development and delivery of the Western Forest’s fundraising strategy to generate £13mn or more in additional income over the next five years to ensure effective long-term delivery of our strategic plan.

Reporting directly to the Western Forest Director, the Head of Funding and Green Finance plays a key role, helping to set the direction for the Western Forest.

Salary: £50,000-50,146, with annual pay review

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Bristol with the option of hybrid working. Travel and meetings across the Western Forest area and working at partner offices will also be required.

Benefits include: Staff pension, Employee Assistance package, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, volunteering days and staff training and social events.

Closing at 5pm on Monday 30th June 2025

Interview: Week commencing 14th July

***Home based with regular national travel expected***

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) is the national governing body for the game of wheelchair rugby in England, Scotland, and Wales, is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, and is a full member of World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) and of the British Paralympic Association (BPA).  

In the last ten years, GBWR has grown the paralympic discipline of the sport from a domestic league with a single division comprised of seven teams, to one which now has three leagues providing competition opportunities for 22 teams. The domestic league is internationally recognised for its high level of competition, where it regularly sees international players from Europe joining domestic teams and strengthening the level of competition.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and driven Head of Community and Participation to lead the development and implementation of strategies aimed at significantly increasing participation in wheelchair rugby across Great Britain. This pivotal role will be responsible for designing and delivering impactful community outreach programs, engaging with local clubs and organisations, and developing innovative approaches to reach new participants, particularly those that are classifiable for wheelchair rugby (Paralympic discipline).

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in community development, sports development, and marketing, with a strong understanding of how to build sustainable participation pathways. While experience within disability sports is advantageous, it is not essential for an individual with the right blend of skills and passion. 

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please see the attached document of visit our website

224 Youth Zone is set to be a significant new part of South Bristol’s play and youth landscape – and we’re looking for a bold, experienced, and inspiring Head of Play, Youth & Partnerships to lead the charge.

As we scale up towards opening, this is your opportunity to shape a high-impact, seven-day-a-week frontline offer for up to 250 children and young people each night – energising a team, building a culture, and delivering at scale.

This senior leadership role sits at the heart of delivery, partnerships, and safeguarding, with the power to help shape the future of inclusive, relational, and values-led play and youth provision in the city – working alongside an incredible network of partners and community organisations.

What you’ll be doing:

· Lead the strategic development and operational delivery of our open access play and youth programme 40 hours a week of activities that are responsive, inclusive, and exciting!

· Line manage Team Leaders and oversee a large team of part-time and sessional staff, embedding a culture of reflection, excellence and relational practice

· Shape a delivery model rooted in Play Work and Youth Work theory, focused on progression, relationships, and personal development

· Be the Designated Safeguarding Lead ensuring all children and young people are safe and supported

· Build powerful partnerships with local organisations, schools, and services to strengthen our reach and offer

· Champion the use of CRM and data systems to track, evidence and grow our impact

· Play a vital role in organisational planning and decision-making as part of the Senior Leadership Team

What we’re looking for:

· A dynamic, experienced leader of services for Children and Young People, passionate about relational, inclusive, high-quality delivery

· Confident in staff management and programme design – able to motivate, support and inspire large teams

· A safeguarding expert, with a strong understanding of duty of care and safe practice

· A strategic thinker with the ability to lead both day-to-day operations and long-term vision

· Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, purposeful environment and believes deeply in the power of play and youth work

If you’re a thoughtful, values-led leader who puts children and young people at the centre and brings both strategic insight and a strong sense of purpose to your work, we’d love to hear from you!

For Further information please check out our website:Youth Moves

London Youth Gateway is a sector leading service supporting 18-25 year-olds facing homelessness or rough sleeping across the capital. Our mission is to make sure young Londoners bounce back quickly and safely in times of crisis and to prevent or solve their homelessness for good. You will be playing a leading role in helping to shape the work of the partnership, its collaborative processes as well as its connections with each of the London local authorities.

This is a key role in our organisation, and we are looking for someone with demonstrable experience in partnership and stakeholder engagement who knows how to get and keep people on board to meet mutual or differing needs. The ideal candidate will be a confident communicator and persuasive negotiator with an eye for detail. You will be able to facilitate multi-agency meetings and collaboration, hold responsibility for regular reporting to the commissioner, and contribute to our broader policy and influencing work. We have big ambitions for an organisation our size, so we are on the look-out for someone who can work at their own initiative, support our different teams, and is not afraid to get hand-on with administrative tasks, while tuning into partner priorities and sniffing out great opportunities to connect.

 

Want to play your part in transforming society?

You’re in the right place.

Resurgo and Citizen Church are partnering to establish a new charity, which will oversee the Spear South Wales programme. Initially, successful candidates will be employed by Citizen Church for a fixed term of six months while the charity is set up, following which they will transition into permanent roles, employed by the new Spear South Wales charity but still with a close connection to Citizen Church. This new structure will give the Spear programme long term stability and exciting opportunities for growth, and enable the new coaches to contribute to and shape the future strategy for the Spear South Wales programme at this key time.

­­­­­

The important stuff 

Salary: £23,000 

Hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm, Tuesday –Thursday, Part-time, (with some flexibility and occasional evening or weekend work for events such as Spear Celebrations)

Location: Citizen Church, Cardiff

Closing date: Friday 4th July (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate)

Download the application pack for more information.

Personal qualities we’re looking for:

• An active Christian, able to personally represent the values and beliefs of Resurgo and Citizen Church, and a commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader
• A confidence in group facilitation, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques
• Passion for social justice and for working as part of the church to transform communities, especially supporting young people in employment or education
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!

Key Responsibilities

Spear Programme

• Lead group sessions of up around 10 young people, using coaching skills to transform their attitudes to their own ability and the workplace, and to raise their awareness and maximise potential in stepping into the world of work
• Prepare and deliver coaching sessions on a weekly basis and find creative ways of developing ongoing relationships with Spear Trainees. This includes running application workshops with past Trainees as well as maintaining records and reporting on statistics

Relationship management

• Build and manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including referrers, local businesses, and other organisations
• You will support with job fairs, mock interview days and welcoming external visitors to the centre

Church Community

• Spear South Wales is run in partnership with Citizen Church, meaning you will work alongside a vibrant church staff team and have the support of the church in the running of the programme
• You will be required to establish a personal presence within the community, and build a strong and committed network of supporters in the partner church. While it's desirable that this is your regular place of worship, we would consider candidates already in other local churches who are unable to move

Purpose of the job

The Head of Operations ensures UK Youth runs efficiently, compliantly, and with impact. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations and working closely with Assistant Directors, the role drives core operations, systems improvement, performance reporting, and policy oversight.

Overseeing IT, CRM, project delivery, governance, and administration, the postholder also co-leads the development of an Organisation Performance Dashboard with the Finance Director to track KPIs and inform decision-making.

Key responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
• Policy & Process Management
• Performance Monitoring & Business Intelligence
• Annual Planning Support
• Digital Systems & Infrastructure
• Safeguarding, Risk & Compliance
• Team Leadership & Financial Oversight

Who we are

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes.

UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. To find more about us and how we make an impact, please visit UK Youth Website.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes. UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)
• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity
• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development
• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)
• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary
• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally
• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.
• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract
• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 27th June 2025 @ 11:59pm (midnight)

Interview Dates: w/c 7th July 2025

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Location:  Hybrid working between the Aldgate, London office and home.

A great opportunity has risen for a Head of Supporter Giving + Legacies to join our team. This role will shape the future of supporter engagement and legacy giving at one of the UK’s most impactful health charities.

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

We’re looking for a visionary Head of Supporter Giving + Legacies to join our talented team. This is a great opportunity to lead and grow a diverse portfolio that includes regular giving, direct response, in-memory giving, payroll giving, the online shop, and legacy fundraising.

You’ll set a clear strategic direction, drive innovation across the programme, and ensure our supporter experiences are engaging and rewarding. As a leader, you’ll provide support, guidance, and inspiration to your team, fostering a collaborative culture and high performance. By strengthening supporter loyalty and deepening engagement, you’ll play a vital role in delivering sustainable income growth to power our mission to transform lung health in the UK.

You’ll bring experience of leading successful individual giving and/or legacy programmes, ideally across a range of channels, along with strong team leadership skills and an inclusive, supportive approach. Strategic and results-driven, you can translate big-picture goals into clear, actionable plans, while keeping the supporter experience at the heart of everything you do.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, interest-free annual season Travelcard loan and pension scheme. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation committed to being the driving force behind the transformation of lung health.

Consultancy work (Afghanistan Programme)

Terms of Reference for a Final Evaluation and Report

ToR

Consultancy work: Final Evaluation and Report

Commencement date

4 July 2025

Duration

c. 8 weeks (subject to change)

Accountable to

CAFOD Afghanistan team – Grace How and Kitty Chevallier

 

Overview: Conduct a Final Evaluation for a project entitled ‘Provision of humanitarian and livelihood support’, also known as ‘HELA’ (Humanitarian and Economic Livelihoods Assistance’). The 3-year project is funded by Misereor / Katholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe (KZE), with co-funding provided by CAFOD. It is implemented by two local partners in Afghanistan, in three provinces, between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2025.

CAFOD has been supporting local organisations in Afghanistan, including the two implementing partners for this project, since the 1980s to help tackle issues of poverty and injustice and to respond to humanitarian emergencies.

Background and Context

Project Brief: This project is a result of partnership and joint work between CAFOD and the consortium members. The project builds on CAFOD’s existing programming in Afghanistan which strengthens the capacity of at-risk households by diversifying their livelihood options. The project focuses on meeting basic needs as well as promoting inclusive development, with the objective of strengthening resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable. As the project approaches the final few months of implementation, CAFOD is seeking to engage an external consultant to conduct a participatory final evaluation for this project. This will evaluate how effectively the project has been implemented, its major impacts and lessons learned, and recommendations for future similar programming. It is expected that the final evaluation will have a particular focus on the consortium partners’ ways of working: the strength of their collaboration, the efficacy and suitability of monitoring and evaluation approaches, and the benefit of learning events and strategies used through the project.

CAFOD and our partners are working with the same target group throughout the duration of the project, not only providing humanitarian and livelihood support, but also raising awareness amongst participants of families' rights from an Islamic perspective. Over the past two decades, much work has been undertaken to empower Afghan households and enable them to exercise their agency. Partners are taking a variety of approaches to further these aims in the project.

Ultimately, the project aims to support and ensure that the rights of poor and vulnerable people in Bamyan, Kabul, and Kunduz provinces are upheld and they have increased agency in their social and economic development.

Directly, the project has been planned to achieve programme outcomes:

1. The basic needs of targeted households are met.
2. Targeted participants have improved resilience through diversified livelihoods.
3. Targeted community leaders and members (male and female) are equipped and empowered with the knowledge and skills to promote and uphold their rights from an Islamic perspective.

 

Project Target Group and Location: The project will reach a total of 350 participants in three provinces of Afghanistan (Bamyan, Kunduz and Kabul) with a combination of humanitarian assistance, livelihoods training and other activities.

Project Duration: September 2022 – August 2025 (36 months)

Scope of the Final Evaluation:

The purpose of this final evaluation is to assess the overall performance and objectives of the completed project, in relation to the specified objectives, logical framework, and work plans. The evaluation will examine the extent to which project outcomes have been achieved, the quality and sustainability of results, and the relevance and appropriateness of strategies employed and ways of working. This participatory evaluation will analyse not only what has been achieved, but how it was achieved, how it was measured, and what could have been improved. This will include an examination of accountability measures, and how participants and other stakeholders were engaged throughout the implementation process, including how participants were given the opportunity and encouraged to share feedback and help shape the design of the project. The consultant will make and explain recommendations for consideration in implementing future projects of a similar nature.

The evaluation should include a review of the project’s monitoring data, secondary documents, a workshop with staff, and some direct data collection from key stakeholders including targeted participants taking part in the livelihoods training activities, as well as their relatives and community members. Findings of the evaluation will be used to guide and improve future project design and implementation. They should be written up into a final evaluation report (no more than 30 pages) which will be made available to CAFOD, Misereor and both partners.

As well as assessing progress towards logical framework indicators, the evaluation should focus on capturing, documenting and assessing lessons learned to inform future project design and implementation.

The assessment will be conducted in close coordination with CAFOD’s Afghanistan team, including the Country Programme Representative, Programme Officer, and Programme Support Officer.

Objectives of the Final Evaluation:

1. To assess the project and its effectiveness in meeting its three outcomes and supporting targeted Afghan households, through material assistance, livelihoods skill training and associated support, advocacy initiatives, and other activities.
2. To evaluate the strength and appropriateness of the projects MEAL systems:
   1. To what extent did project monitoring and evaluation help track project progress and achievements?
   2. How effectively was participation and accountability built into project design and implementation, and partners’ ways of working with stakeholders?
   3. How effectively were learning opportunities used throughout the project (including peer learning and exchange visits, learning workshops, regular progress workshops, etc.)?
3. To assess and review consortium functionality, partnership dynamics, and collaboration.
4. To capture and assess key lessons learned from the project from various stakeholders including project staff, participants, civil society groups involved in the project, community leaders and other community members.
5. To assess the sustainability and impact of project achievements, including:
   1. Changes in participants’ social and economic agency and participation
   2. Shifts in community attitudes and behaviours
   3. Capacity built among local partners and stakeholders.
6. To produce a high-quality report, no longer than 30 pages, which will be shared with CAFOD, Misereor and implementing partners.

Deliverables and proposed deadlines:

• Develop a short inception report with proposed methodology, plans and tools for collecting data from stakeholders, for the final evaluation (1st and 2nd week of contract), to be discussed and agreed with CAFOD and partners.
• Gather data from relevant stakeholders (3rd and 4th week of contract)
• Submission of draft report (6th week of contract)
• Review and revision of report based on feedback (6th and 7th week of contract)
• Submission of final report (8th week of contract)
• Presentation of report to CAFOD and partners– date to be confirmed.

 

Methodology:

• The evaluation should adopt a participatory mixed-methods approach, beginning with a desk review before integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure that data collected is triangulated and can be communicated, explained and contextualised.
• It is expected that the consultant will combine surveys/questionnaires with structured interviews, FGDs and KIIs. Note that to enable the open and unrestricted sharing of opinions and information, the data can be anonymised where relevant and appropriate.
• Evaluation team members are encouraged to use innovative methods to collect and analyse data. The qualitative component will allow for more in-depth data gathering to gain more insightful findings from relevant target groups regarding their experience of the project and its impact.
• Data is expected to be gathered from key project stakeholders, including:
  • Targeted participants (in vocational training, first aid training, and Local Leaders Committees).
• The midterm evaluation will be supported by two workshops: an initial developmental workshop in which the data collection methods will be discussed with CAFOD staff and representatives from partners to obtain feedback and input; and a feedback and validation workshop after submission of the draft report, to obtain input on findings and recommendations.
• The consultant(s) are expected to propose the most suitable method of sampling/randomisation and the sample size will be determined in collaboration with CAFOD and partners. Information shall be collected from across specified beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders.
• All data collected during the baseline study will be disaggregated by age, gender, disability, and location.

Ethical Considerations

The below ethical considerations will be adhered to during the midterm evaluation:

• The evaluation will be conducted by an independent and impartial external consultant.
• Quantitative data will be obtained from a randomly selected representative sample. 
• Participation in the study will be voluntary, and individuals must be able to curtail their participation in the study at any time. 
• The safety of participants and implementing partner staff will be paramount.
• Anonymity, confidentiality and safeguarding of study data (both during data collection and for data storage) will be guaranteed. 
• There will be no risks and benefits for individual participants.
• The culture, norms and traditions of study populations will be respected and laws of the country upheld.
• Participation in the evaluation will involve no additional security or safety risks for participants, in light of the current context in Afghanistan.
• The content of the evaluation will be treated confidentially and only shared with CAFOD, partners and Misereor.

Required Competencies:

• A minimum master’s degree in social sciences or relevant field;
• Other training/certifications in thematic areas relevant to the project will be an asset (livelihoods, gender, behavioural change communication etc.);
• Other professional training on Research Methodology, Development Evaluation, and Impact Evaluation from recognised institutes/universities would be an asset;
• A proven track record of an ability to pragmatically apply in-depth knowledge and experiences of issues and practices in the fields of humanitarian, livelihoods and gender in Afghanistan;
• Strong computer and analytical skills with ability to write and review technical documents/ reports, conduct interviews as part of background research.

 

Demonstrable Skills and Experience:

• Record of publication of social research documents, evaluation reports, survey reports, study reports on livelihoods and rights issues is a strong asset;
• Experience of carrying out mixed-methods studies and evaluations and in producing high quality analytical reports (at least 2 recent reports should be submitted with the RFP);
• Strong background of statistical data analysis skills and strong proficiency with data analysis packages (in Stata or SPSS);
• Member of professional societies/forums (e.g. evaluation society) will be an asset;
• At least 6 years’ experience managing evaluations, baselines and/or assessments for community-based programmes, including since August 2021;
• Experience in delivering high quality assessments, research or evaluations for institutionally funded projects such as FCDO/DFID, EU or USAID;
• Experience working with and/or evaluating the work of national NGOs and CSOs in Afghanistan;
• A gender-balanced team (at all levels) is highly desired;
• Ability to adapt plans and approaches, sometimes at short notice;
• Fluency in English essential; ability to conduct interviews in Dari and Pashto essential.

 

CAFOD is committed to creating a safe environment for all project participants, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. The consultant will be expected to follow these commitments and sign and adhere to all relevant policies and procedures.

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following by 29 June 2025. Please see CAFOD website to email the documents requested below

• Updated CVs (lead consultant and associates if any)
• Technical proposal with proposed methodology and detailed work plan
• 2 examples of similar assessments, evaluations, research, analytical report writing in English
• Financial proposal: Up to a maximum of USD 14,000. This fee should include all consultancy costs, including data collection costs (travel, accommodation, food etc.) as well as all applicable VAT and Tax.

Submissions will be reviewed and scored according to a) the criteria and considerations listed in this Terms of Reference, b) the suitability of the project plan/method statement and c) value for money.

Management and Reporting Arrangements:

The recruitment and initial briefing to the consultant will be managed by CAFOD, in consultation with the project partners.

Both in-country implementing partners will provide logistical and administrative support and guidance, including supply of relevant documentation, and help with the organisation of meetings and interviews (the financial costs of this will be covered by the consultant). Additionally required costs such as refreshments for FGDs will be paid for by partners. The consultant will be responsible for working with partner staff to arrange interviews and field visits ensuring all relevant stakeholders are available at the place and time agreed; the consultant(s) will provide facilitation of workshops, FGDs, meetings and field visits.

Deliverables will be reviewed, appraised and accepted by members of CAFOD’s Afghanistan staff, in consultation with the relevant partner staff members. 

Summary Timeline (subject to change):

19 – 29 June

Circulation of TORs and Invitation to Submit Quotations

29 June

Closing date for applications

2 July – 3 July

Interviews with short-listed consultants

4 July

Final consultant selection and contract signing

5 July – 4 August

Planning, document review and fieldwork

14 August

Submission of draft report to CAFOD

15 - 23 August

Review, feedback and revision of report

31 August

Presentation of report findings and recommendations to CAFOD, partners, and Misereor.

 

The selection consultant(s) will be expected to fully agree to comply with all relevant CAFOD policies during the contracted period including the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, and provide references.