Terms of Reference

Programme Associate
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title Programme Associate
Section Programmes
Reporting to Director of Programmes
Supervised by Assigned Thematic Programme Officer – Grants Management
Coordinates with Other Programme Associates; supports all Thematic Programme
Officers (Grants Management); and Grants Administrator
Location Flexible – based anywhere in East or Southeast Asia, but preference
for Southeast Asia
Status Full-Time

Overview of Organisation

Women’s Fund Asia (WFA) is a regional women’s fund, committed to supporting women
and trans* 1 people led interventions, to enhance and strengthen their access to human
rights. The Fund started in 2004 as the South Asia Women's Fund (SAWF), operating in
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In 2016 the organisation undertook an
intense process of review and consultations, and on 8 March 2018 it was relaunched as
Women's Fund Asia, expanding its mandate across Asia and increasing its outreach from
5 to 18 countries.

The present programme team works out of four cities in South Asia and one city in
Southeast Asia to implement the Asia-wide programme, with a diverse pool of consultants
and experts rostered across the larger region. WFA’s headquarters is in Colombo, while
the Executive Director works out of the Liaison Office in Lucknow, and a satellite office is
located in New Delhi. Other team members work out of their home locations.

WFA seeks to recruit a Programme Associate (PA) to support its grantmaking and Linking
and Learning programme, both substantively and administratively. The PA will support the
Thematic Programme Officers (POs) in Grants Management as they build their respective
portfolios, and identify opportunities for learning and strengthening knowledge building
processes. The position requires a candidate with strong feminist values and principles, a

1
This document endorses use of the term trans* with an asterisk, denoting a placeholder for the
"entire range of possible gender identities that fall under the broad definition of trans."
good foundation in feminist analysis, excellent writing and communication skills in English,
and good knowledge of Southeast Asia.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

I. Grantmaking and Management

• Lead ongoing communication with all current and potential grantee-partners.

• Support grantmaking team in implementing grantmaking strategy and take the
lead on assigned substantive or technical components. This includes review and
analysis of applications, follow up with partners, and documentation.
• Undertake monitoring of grants as delegated by Programme Officers.
• Help identify grantee-partner support and accompaniment needs, as well as
support POs in grantee-partner relationship building, including but not limited to
field visits, translations, meetings and calls, and presentations.
• Coordinate with Grants Administrator and Finance to ensure efficient processing
of contracts and payments.
• Support Grants POs, MEL PO, and Grants Administrator in updating and
maintaining the overall MIS system.
• Coordinate other relevant components of the programme as required.
• Provide some guidance and work closely on a daily basis with volunteers/interns.

II. Other Programme support

• Develop and analyse regional, thematic, issue, and constituency-based

information that will feed into internal and external reports, as well as programme
and outreach strategy.
• Provide support to POs in external outreach spaces as well as spaces hosted by
WFA.
• Participate in cross-functional work-teams as required.
• Periodically represent WFA at events or meetings as instructed.

III. Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any of the social sciences, law, or any other relevant subject,
is required.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a feminist/women’s rights/trans* rights
organization. Previous work experience with regional and/or donor organizations
will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrable skills in research, writing, data compilation, and data analysis is
 required.
• Knowledge of feminist movements in Southeast Asia, and familiarity with regional
economic, political, social, and cultural trends.
• Excellent management skills with attention to detail and ability to multi-task,
manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English. Fluency in at least one
other regional language of Southeast Asia is required.
• Ability to work independently in a virtual office setting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is a must; familiarity
with database programs will be an advantage.
• Ability to work with mutual respect in a diverse and multicultural environment is a
must.
• Ability to undertake extensive local and international travel.

Terms and Conditions

• One-year renewable contract will be issued once selected. Ability to join

immediately is required (within a month of confirmation).
• Salary will be commensurate with experience of the candidate.
• There will be a six-month probation period, during which the contract can be
concluded through a notice of one week on either side. The incumbent will be
internally evaluated before being confirmed.
• The performance evaluation for this contract will be in line with 12 months, which
means that after confirmation on six months’ probation, it will be due with the
next contract.
• The contract can be ended by a notice of 30 working days or salary of 30 working
days in lieu of notice.