Stephen McCubbin
West Palm Beach
Summary
International development and sport-for-development professional with 10+ years of experience managing multi-country programmes, grant portfolios, and donor-funded initiatives. Proven expertise in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), safeguarding, and institutional grant compliance. Strong track record of working with global stakeholders, trusts and foundations, and community-based organisations to deliver measurable impact for young people. Commonwealth Award recipient with a focus on youth development, violence prevention, and sport as a tool for social change.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Manager
FLIPANY
USA
01.2024 - Current
- Manage delivery of youth-focused programmes, reaching 1,000+ beneficiaries annually, ensuring alignment with organisational and donor objectives.
- Lead monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, improving programme performance and reporting accuracy by 25%.
- Oversee programme budgets and ensure compliance with grant and funding requirements.
- Produce donor-ready reports, impact narratives, and presentations to support fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
- Strengthen partnerships with community organisations through capacity building and technical support.
Commissioner
National Council on Violence Prevention
Jamaica
06.2019 - 01.2024
- Directed national violence prevention programmes impacting multiple high-risk communities across Jamaica.
- Developed and implemented a 10-year national action plan, aligning policy, funding, and programme delivery.
- Conducted impact evaluations and cost-benefit analyses, informing government and donor investment decisions.
- Managed cross-sector partnerships with NGOs, government, and international agencies.
- Strengthened safeguarding and social protection frameworks, improving outcomes for vulnerable youth populations.
Chief Executive Officer
Cheer Sensation JA Ltd
Jamaica
07.2011 - 12.2023
- Founded and scaled a sport-based organisation, increasing revenue by 300% over five years through fundraising, sponsorships, and donor engagement.
- Managed programme delivery and partnerships impacting hundreds of young people annually.
- Secured funding from corporate sponsors, community donors, and grant opportunities.
- Led organisational strategy, staff management, and programme expansion.
- Built sustainable partnerships with schools and community organisations.
Coordinator
Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development & Peace Network
02.2021 - 02.2023
- Coordinated a global network of 270+ organisations across 64 countries, supporting sport-for-development initiatives.
- Delivered capacity-building programmes and knowledge-sharing platforms for grassroots partners.
- Supported grant reporting, stakeholder engagement, and programme alignment with international development goals (SDGs).
- Facilitated collaboration between funders, NGOs, and implementing partners.
- Contributed to development of strategic partnerships with international donors and foundations.
Policy Advisor
Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica
Jamaica
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Conducted policy research, programme evaluation, and stakeholder consultations.
- Provided recommendations to improve youth development programmes and national policies.
- Supported implementation of initiatives aligned with international development frameworks.
Education
BSc - Public Policy and Management
University of the West Indies
JamaicaCertification - Policy Making for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
University of Cambridge
UKSkills
- Programme & Grant Management (Institutional & Trust Funding)
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Frameworks
- Donor Reporting (Comic Relief, Foundations, Institutional Funders)
- Safeguarding & Child Protection Standards
- Capacity Building & Partner Support
- Budget Management & Financial Oversight
- Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development
- Due Diligence & Risk Management
- Impact Measurement & Data Analysis
- Proposal Writing & Fundraising Strategy
- Sport for Development & Youth Programming
Certification
- Anti-Trafficking in Persons Certification
- First Aid & Concussion Management
- Sport Safety & Risk Management
- Safeguarding & Risk Management Training
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work (2020), Finalist, Commonwealth Youth Award – Young Person of the Year (2020), Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Youth Development (2018)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Experience working across Caribbean and global development networks
- Strong understanding of institutional donors, trusts & foundations, and grant compliance requirements
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English fluent; additional languages a plus)
- Willing to travel internationally and conduct programme monitoring visits
Timeline
Program Manager
FLIPANY
01.2024 - Current
Coordinator
Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development & Peace Network
02.2021 - 02.2023
Commissioner
National Council on Violence Prevention
06.2019 - 01.2024
Policy Advisor
Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica
01.2019 - 01.2021
Chief Executive Officer
Cheer Sensation JA Ltd
07.2011 - 12.2023
Certification - Policy Making for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
University of Cambridge
BSc - Public Policy and Management
University of the West Indies