Overview

Job Title: Programme Director

Location: Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, or Zambia

Salary: Local terms and conditions apply

Contract length: Two-year fixed-term contract - renewable - in what is anticipated to be a 4.5 year programme 

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Programme Director to lead a transformative economic empowerment programme across Africa. This programme aims to advance inclusive development and empower young people with disabilities, with a strong focus on young women. By creating access to dignified and meaningful employment, the programme will dismantle historical barriers and promote economic opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Responsibilities

As the Programme Director, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for the programme, ensuring alignment with the donor’s vision and goals.
• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans, annual work plans, budgets, risk assessments, and results frameworks.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of programme activities across multiple countries and regions.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with donors, partners, financial institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, and private sector partners.
• Ensure technical delivery of economic empowerment interventions, including skills development, entrepreneurship, microfinance, financial literacy, vocational training, and market access.
• Establish and oversee robust systems for monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting.
• Lead on programme budgets, forecasts, and financial reports in collaboration with the Programme Manager and Programme Finance Manager.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations in all operational contexts.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with government agencies, the broader programme team, donor and client organisations, and others.
• Mentor, coach, and support programme staff and local implementing partners to build capacity and foster a culture of learning and innovation.

This is an involved role. Please see the full job description for further details

Skills and Experience

We are looking for candidates with the following skills and experiences:

• Significant experience in international development and managing large-scale, donor-funded programmes, including budgeting, compliance, and reporting.
• Experience in implementing labour systems strengthening programs and/or policy reform.
• Previous experience working with a wide range of donor organisations.
• Demonstrated capacity to operate within the international development community and function in a programme director or project leadership position, preferably with a focus on disability inclusion and/or economic empowerment.
• Proven ability to navigate complex partner dynamics, mediate differing priorities, and build consensus across organisations.
• Strong understanding of disability inclusion and gender equality principles.
• Excellent organisational, analytical, and IT skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build stakeholder consensus.
• Commitment to equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

Please see the full job description for a full list of requirements.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about driving systemic change and empowering young people with disabilities, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your application, including your CV and responding to all of the profile and job-related questions, detailing your relevant experience and your motivations for applying. Please do not provide a separate covering letter as there is an opportunity for you to provide all relevant information within the application. 

A role-typical task will form part of the assessment process, together with a presentation. 
Please note that this role is subject to successful donor funding and the job description is subject to change prior to finalisation, based upon specific programme requirements. 

Women and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 12 October 2025