About Us
Free to Run’s (FTR) mission is to advance gender equity globally through running. We are a registered nonprofit/nongovernmental organization that has been operating community-led programs for adolescent girls and young women since 2014 in conflict zones. We are known for delivering long-term, youth-led, progressive running, leadership, rights, and health programs. However, the longer-term impact of our work is building enduring social change – decreasing barriers to public participation, increasing women in leadership, and making power structures more equitable and inclusive. Free to Run identifies as an organization working at the intersections of feminism, human rights, sport, development, and humanitarian interventions.
The organization is in a position of significant growth, in terms of our strategy, reach, impact, and operating budget. In 2024, we will embark on a new three-year strategic plan that positions us to reach 50,000 people by 2026, through direct service, capacity building for local, women-led NGOs, and building a movement of activists who are passionate about freedom and running.
Position Overview
The Global Programs Manager is responsible for holistically ensuring that Free to Run programs throughout the world successfully contribute to our mission. In 2024, our direct service programs are taking place in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine, with additional partner programs likely to be implemented in Central Asia and the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region. This will include significant work with in-country Programs Teams, as well as continual coordination and collaboration with our Global team. The position is full-time and can be done remotely anywhere in the world with frequent travel. This position reports to the (Global) Executive Director.
Core Accountabilities
- Develop and Manage an Effective and Informed Global Programs Strategy (10%)
- Envision a high-impact Programs strategy that aligns with Free to Run’s global strategy
- Develop and track key performance indicators related to strategy
- Participate in organizational strategic planning, budgeting, and performance reporting activities
- Lead Free to Run Programs (from a Global perspective) (30%)
- Lead the entire Program lifecycle for all FTR Programs globally – from ideation to design and scale
- Support in-country Program staff in implementing safe and high-quality programs
- Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture
- Support Country Directors and in-country Program Staff in developing trainings to ensure all programs are adequately staffed and resourced, support the professional growth and development of Program staff
- Revise/develop organizational policies (i.e. Safeguarding, Photography) policies and Standard Operating Procedures, audit and ensure adhesion to policy across programs
- Lead risk assessment, mitigation, and response processes from a Programs perspective
- Develop and maintain relationships with key Program stakeholders and partners
- Lead Growth by Equipping Partners to Deliver FTR-Inspired Programs (new) – (20%)
- Research and analyze market trends related to organizational capacity development (specifically, helping local, women-led organizations develop sport and gender programs)
- Revise/produce programmatic tools, such as curricula, surveys, and training guides that are rooted in Free to Run’s expertise and align with a ‘market’ need to support the development of similar programs within partner organizations
- Lead the development of Free to Run’s programmatic services, such as training of trainers, consulting, and advising based on organizational core competencies and ‘market’ need
- Develop impact measurement approaches/tools that align with tools/services designed to strengthen partner organization capacities
- Identify high-potential partner organizations who are interested and eligible for capacity strengthening work
- Broker partnership, manage MOUs/contracts
- Oversee Impact (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) Strategy Design and Implementation – (15%)
- Support the development of updates to the organizational Theory of Change and Impact Framework
- Ensure indicators of performance align across organizational strategy, donor requirements, and actual program impact
- Manage Impact and Learning Specialist – ensuring that data is adequately collected and analyzed and that learning is systematically shared internally and externally to prove and improve our programs
- Lead regular Program discovery, learning and sharing of program data with staff and stakeholders (donors, partners, etc.)
- Manage Major Grants / Support Grants Acquisition – (20%)
- Support in framing the approach for grant applications, regularly liaising with in-country Program teams and Global Development / Executive staff
- Develop and manage project plans for major grants, and lead Programs to ensure the successful execution of proposed projects
- Ensure FTR complies with all donor policies and requirements
- Write reports for donors, with significant input from in-country staff
- Manage donor reporting calendar with accuracy and excellence
- Engage with the Free to Run Team (5%)
- Attend weekly team meetings and key events
- Manage consultants and staff as needed
- Participate in 1 on 1 meetings with manager regularly
- Participate in Performance planning, goal setting, and evaluation activities
- Liaise with key staff across functions of this position
- Support the advancement of the mission of the organization by participating in strategy/goal setting and planning processes
- Positively and proactively contribute to organizational culture, amplify and model Free to Run values
Location
The Global Programs Manager role is a fully remote position. Regular international travel is required (up to 50% of the time).
Working Hours
The Global Programs Manager position is a full-time role, estimated at 40 hours per week. Due to the nature of the organization’s business, hours may fluctuate outside regular core hours (to accommodate U.S., MENA, and Afghanistan hours at times), with the possibility of nights or weekends, depending on the needs of the organization.
Compensation
Based on experience. Aligned with the market rate for a mid-career NGO Programs Manager in the geography where the Global Programs Manager is located. Free to Run salaries are moderately competitive in the NGO market.
Generous benefits package includes paid time off for 10-20 public holidays and 10-20 vacation days (aligned with norms and laws in the country of residence), 10 personal health days, a technology stipend, contribution to health insurance (in geographies where it is standard practice for employers to contribute), and discounted pro deals on outdoor gear and apparel. Furthermore, one of the most powerful benefits of working at Free to Run is the opportunity to be part of a global team of people passionate about working in girls’/women’s/human rights through sport.
Education, Experience, and Competencies
Below is what we are looking for as we evaluate applications. Candidates don’t need to have all these experiences and competencies but should be able to display strengths across multiple areas.
Education: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required, higher graduate level work appreciated but not required.
Language: Fluent English (verbal and written) required. Arabic, Dari, and/or other languages are appreciated but not required
Experience
- Minimum 7 years of professional experience in relevant field (NGOs, gender, sports for development, humanitarian aid, MHPSS, leadership development, adolescent girls and young women-focused service provision)
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a leadership position
- Experience writing donor reports, and managing grant-funded projects, with a preference for managing government-funded projects
- Experience developing and implementing development or humanitarian-type programs in international settings (aligned with FTR program approach, preferred)
- Working cross-culturally (required), especially in countries where Free to Run operates or in conflict zones (preferred)
- Experience with human-centered design or participatory design methodologies (preferred)
- Experience developing and managing budgets
Skills and Competencies
- Microsoft Office and Google Workspace/Google Business (Gmail, Drive, Calendar)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English)
- Comfort with public speaking, ability to design and deliver training for cross-cultural staff
- Strong analytic abilities, including creative and strategic thinking and capacity for collaborative brainstorming
- Superb project management and organizational skills. Close attention to detail and follow-through, including time management and document flow.
- Deep understanding of program impact strategies – monitoring, evaluation and learning, designing and evaluating evidence-based programs
- Ability to make data-driven decisions and drive continuous improvement of program outcomes
- Ability to envision and build systems (see the ‘big picture’) while paying impeccable attention to detail in a fast-paced environment
Organization-wide Requirements
- Self-starting, industrious, and able to work independently towards clear goals
- Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced, and at times, ambiguous non-profit/NGO environments (the hustle factor)
- Interest in international girls’, women’s, and human rights and/or running/outdoor sports (preferred)
- Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and generational backgrounds
Free to Run is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don’t just accept differences — we celebrate, support and thrive on them for the benefit of our team, our programs, and our organizational strength. We are proud to be an affirmative action employer, committed to diversity, equity and inclusion of ALL people in our hiring and employment practices. We encourage applications from people who have non-dominant identities based on race, ethnicity, migration status, ability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, etc.
How to apply
**To Apply for this Position…**please prepare a cover letter and CV/resume in PDF form and submit your application here (https://forms.gle/KVdD74dGPUa72hiN6). Contact [email protected] if you have any challenges with your submission.
Closing date: 9 Feb 2024