About the associate role: 

Spring Impact is implementing the Scale Accelerator: Solid Ground for Children programme in Bulgaria with the support of Tanya’s Dream Fund. This programme provides a solid ground for children in Bulgaria by doubling the number of families benefiting from interventions that tackle unnecessary family separation. It seeks to identify and scale up solutions that are preventing unnecessary family separation in Bulgaria; innovate new ideas that will prevent family separation in the Roma community; advocate for change nationally towards an environment that supports children to stay with their families where possible; and share learning & ideas throughout the family and child support sector in Bulgaria. 

We are looking for individuals with experience in the Bulgarian civil society sector to take on the role of Learning and Programme associate. The role will support with activities across the programme, primarily supporting the innovation lab and our learning aims.

Purpose: 

The Learning and Programme Associate is a new role. It will provide a crucial link between Spring Impact’s programmes team in the UK and the “Scale Accelerator: Solid Ground for Children” programme (“the Programme”), taking responsibility for several key parts of the Programme. The first is to support the learning and influencing aims of the Programme, and the second is to provide programmatic and administrative support. The associate will work closely with Spring Impact’s Programme Manager and will undertake regular tasks across the whole Programme as required. 

The role will naturally vary in intensity based on the Programme but we anticipate an average of between 3 - 5 days per month. The contract will initially be for 12 months, ideally beginning in early July 2024. The contract will be renewable annually subject to programme needs.

Key responsibilities: 

• Locally coordinate the learning and influencing aims of the Programme under guidance from the Programme Manager

• Monitor and support local delivery of the Programme - particularly the innovation lab and learning events - in coordination with the UK-based Programme Manager, Scaling Facilitators and wider Spring Impact team

Tasks:

• Develop programme learning and share within the project team and partners

  • Take responsibility for gathering learning from different elements of the Programme, particularly the Innovation Lab implementation

  • Identify and share learnings that are relevant for the project implementation teams or that supports our wider influencing work for the Programme 

  • Work closely with our Innovation Lab partner in Bulgaria, Open Space Collective, to ensure outputs and learning from implementing the Innovation Lab  are captured as needed

• Support the influencing aims of the Programme, promoting attitude shifts related to preventing family separation in Bulgaria and enthusiasm for scaling solutions that have impact in this area:

  • Identify opportunities to engage Government, civil society and other interested stakeholders with the Programme aims and learning

  • In liaison with the Spring Impact team, conduct influencing and knowledge sharing activities which promote both the Programme aims and interest in scaling work amongst local actors. This could include coordinating learning events with stakeholders; preparing blogs and articles for local networks; gathering case studies; and identifying opportunities for partners to learn from each other. 

• Support local delivery of the Programme

  • Monitor implementation of the Programme activities in liaison with the UK-based Programme Manager

  • Support management of the Programme Advisory Board

  • Share concerns, achievements and general updates related to the Programme with the UK team, particularly raising any emerging or increasing risks

  • Locally take the lead on collecting and analysing data on Programme progress, outputs and impact in coordination with the Programme Manager

  • Support due diligence and local monitoring

• Acting as the Programme’s point of contact in Bulgaria:

  • Coordinate local events on behalf of the Programme, including visits from the UK team.

  • Share relevant information about the local context, donor landscape or legislative/policy change that is of interest or relevant to Spring Impact or the Programme.

  • Provide administrative and logistical support to all Programme activities as required. 

Person specification:

We are keen to hear from people with an interest in experiencing and learning about a community-driven approach that differs from usual project formats implemented by NGOs.  

All candidates need to demonstrate how they meet the essential criteria below. Please also include if you meet any of the desirable criteria, though we recognise that these are learnt knowledge and the right candidate will be able to learn these over time if needed. 

Given the focus of the role in supporting the Innovation Lab we particularly encourage applicants from a Roma community or deep experience of living or working in these communities to apply. 

Essential

• You have demonstrated an ability to effectively manage programmes/projects: 

  • Excellent organisational and administrative abilities

  • You can prioritise and complete tasks within deadlines

  • Good monitoring and evaluation skills

  • Good budget monitoring skills (desirable) 

• You have supported or led the management of events, including coordination, logistics and stakeholder engagement

• You have been able to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders

• Good written and verbal communication skills that can share information and learning, and build interest in a topic

• An interest in learning about scaling impact and how this could support the wider civil society sector in Bulgaria beyond the lifetime of this programme

• A strong commitment to the inclusion of marginalised, disadvantaged, Roma, disabled or otherwise discriminated groups in their work and promoting their involvement in the work of others

• A questioning and curious approach to their work driven by a desire to learn

• Ability to work flexibly and responsively, taking initiative to address challenges and opportunities as they arise

• Excellent written and verbal English and Bulgarian language skills

Desirable 

• You have captured and collated learning from a programme to identify patterns and suggest improvements

• Experience of designing, planning and managing learning events

• Knowledge of the support, networking and funding available to civil society in Bulgaria

• A broad network amongst government and civil society actors involved in work with children and young people, particularly the prevention of family separation

• Experience of working within or alongside the Bulgarian government

• An understanding or lived experience of Roma culture and language

• An understanding or lived experience of issues related to disability