Programme Lead (Enabling Freedom Network)

Position: Programme Lead (Enabling Freedom Network)

Reporting to: Programme Manager and CEO

Contract: 12-month contract with possibility of extension and promotion to Country Director subject to funding and performance. Full-time (35 hours per week). Flexible hours/days/job-share possible.

We are seeking a Programme Lead for our Enabling Freedom Network (EFN). You will oversee the introduction and expansion of our EFN work into South Korea. This will be the first time we have done any work in South Korea. You will have responsibility for engaging and building relations with stakeholders, establishing key parts of the programming in South Korea, and being the lead on engagement – informing, supporting applications, and onboarding - with North Korean escapees for our social leadership and scholarship programme and assist with the development of the programme, aligned to funding outcomes and an evidence-based framework. We are a small, ambitious team looking to deliver high-impact programming for and with North Korean escapees.

Job Description

The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for developing our EFN work in South Korea (and beyond).

You will:

• Develop partnerships and collaborations for the Enabling Freedom Network with Korea-based stakeholders, including embassies, non-profits, churches, government agencies, and educational institutions.
• Work with our Programme Manager to identify appropriate university partners and build strong relationships with them in order to offer a wider range of study options for our clients.
• Work with our Programme Manager to develop the social leadership training.
• Participate in fora and media opportunities to discuss our programming and the North Korean refugee community.
• Develop and oversee our post-programme support network for participants.
• Engage and build trust with North Korean escapees through concerted and ongoing outreach to inform potential beneficiaries of our scholarship programme, support their applications, arrange support for them to succeed on the programme (ESOL, mental health, etc), and onboard them on to the programme.
• Oversee the design and execution of the application process.
• Work closely with the Programme Manager to design, develop, and execute a robust monitoring and evaluation learning programme.
• Identify social issues within North Korean escapee communities to inform our programmatic strategy.
• Line-manage volunteers and service providers as necessary.
• Provide ongoing support to beneficiaries through the programme.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of best practice in the sector through attendance at internal and external events; the development of partnerships and networks; contribute to the development of quality improvement measures and resources and identify appropriate training needs and opportunities.
• Also help develop new forms of programming in South Korea as and when opportunities arise.

Essential skills and experience

• Ideally, experience working in the North Korean escapee support sector.
• Strong networks within the North Korean support field.
• Must have bilingual English and Korean.

Desirable skills and experience

• Knowledge of the education sector.
• North Koreans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Personal attributes

You must...

• Be friendly with a positive attitude, with empathy for others.
• Enjoy working as part of a team – including remotely, using phone, video calls, and online collaboration tools with colleagues when you and/or they are working in locations other than our main office.
• Have strong communication skills
• Have excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Be highly organised, able to push projects forward, act on own initiative, ensure deadlines are met and plans are actioned to achieve strategic objectives
• Demonstrate values and behaviours aligned with Connect North Korea’s mission, vision and values.

We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability (physical or learning), LGBTQI+ or relationship status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, gender or social class.

If you do not match all of the desirable criteria for this role, please don’t let that put you off applying, because we will provide training and support for the right candidate, to enable you to develop your skills.