Position Purpose:

The Manager –MEAL & Partnerships will provide strategic and technical support to strengthen the quality, effectiveness, and accountability of ACT International’s programs and projects. The position will ensure quality assurance of program design, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and learning processes while strengthening donor communication, resource mobilization, and partnership management.

The role will work closely with Program Teams, MEAL/M&E Unit, Finance, and Program Development Unit (PDU) to enhance proposal quality, compliance, donor engagement, and overall program performance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Lead quality assurance reviews of ongoing programs and projects to ensure alignment with organizational standards, donor requirements, and best practices.
• Review and provide technical input on project design, Logical Framework Approach (LFA), Theory of Change, indicators, targets, and monitoring frameworks.
• Ensure program interventions are aligned with approved proposals, budgets, donor agreements, and expected outcomes.
• Identify gaps in program implementation and recommend improvement actions.
• Develop quality assurance tools, checklists, and review mechanisms for program improvement.

2. Program Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEAL) Support

• Provide technical guidance for strengthening program monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Review program quality indicators, outcome measurements, and evidence-based reporting.
• Support learning initiatives by documenting lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with MEAL teams to improve data quality, analysis, and utilization for decision-making.

3. Donor Reporting & Relationship Management

• Review and ensure quality of donor narrative reports, financial reports, and project updates before submission.
• Ensure reports demonstrate program achievements, impact, challenges, risk mitigation, and learning.
• Support effective communication strategies with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Maintain professional relationships with existing and potential donors.
• Support donor meetings, presentations, and program updates.

4. Risk Management & Project Quality Improvement

• Develop and maintain program risk management frameworks and risk matrices.
• Identify operational, financial, compliance, and implementation risks.
• Support program teams in developing mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Monitor emerging risks and recommend corrective actions.

5. Resource Mobilization & Fundraising Support

• Contribute to resource mobilization strategies and donor engagement plans.
• Support identification of funding opportunities and donor mapping.
• Provide technical inputs for concept notes, expressions of interest, and funding proposals.
• Support development of high-quality proposals aligned with donor priorities.

6. Support to Program Development Unit (PDU) – 20% Allocation

• Provide technical support to PDU for development of quality proposals.
• Review proposal narratives, logical frameworks, indicators, implementation strategies, and budgets.
• Support development of innovative program approaches and project concepts.
• Ensure proposals meet donor standards and organizational priorities.

7. Program Strategy & Organizational Learning

• Contribute to strengthening ACT’s program quality framework and standards.
• Support development of program strategies, guidelines, and operational approaches.
• Promote evidence-based programming and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate coordination between Program, MEAL, Finance, and PDU teams.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Project Management, Social Sciences, International Development, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in program management, quality assurance, MEAL, donor relations, and proposal development.
• Strong experience working with INGOs, donors, and development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in reviewing LFAs/log frames, donor reports, and program quality standards.
• Experience in resource mobilization, fundraising, and donor communication.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and strategic planning skills.

Key Competencies:

• Program Quality Management
• Donor Compliance & Relationship Management
• Proposal Development
• Risk Management
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Strategic Communication
• Partnership Building
• Report Writing & Analysis
• Leadership and Coordination Skills

Expected Outputs:

• Improved quality of ACT programs and projects.
• Stronger donor communication and reporting standards.
• Enhanced proposal quality and funding opportunities.
• Strengthened monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems.
• Improved risk management and program accountability.

 ACT follows a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, or any form of misconduct