The Head of Program is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction, technical expertise, and overall management of programs to achieve organizational goals. This position oversees the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, donor requirements, and the needs of target communities. The Head of Program will play a key role in fostering partnerships, promoting innovation, and enhancing the impact and sustainability of the organization’s initiatives. As a senior staff in AEA,, Head of Programmes will represent AEA in different national and international forums to network and promote the image of AEA and its programmes.
Strategic Leadership
● Lead the development and implementation of the 2025-2029 country program strategy, ensuring alignment with the organization’s global priorities and local contexts; ● Identify and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges in line with organizational goals and beneficiary needs; ● Provide strategic guidance to ensure programs are evidence-based, innovative, and impactful; 2 ● Ensure all that staff under supervision have clear performance goals, indicators and development plans which enable them to succeed; ● Ensure that staff members are given opportunities for development and training, as discussed and agreed, and provide support to the capacity building planning for program positions; ● Ensure the effective management of the division’s resources (financial, technical and operational) in order to achieve the strategic objectives; ● Proactively lead a team to ensure a high standard of employee engagement; ● Support the compliance with all legislations and the organization’s policies and procedures.
Program Management and Development ● Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all programs to ensure they meet objectives, timelines, and budgets; ● Lead program design and proposal development to secure funding, working closely with the fundraising team and donors; ● Ensure high-quality technical input into program development and delivery across thematic areas; ● Strengthen the organization’s capacity in project cycle management, including needs assessments, planning, reporting, and evaluations; ● Assist the Team in preparing high-quality reports to meet with donors’ requirements. Facilitates the exchange of learning/experiences across local, national and international contexts, relevant to the country and region; ● Represent AEA externally to ensure our experiences helps shape the development agenda and remain abreast of developments in donor and peer agency approaches to development effectiveness;
Resources Mobilization ● Support the development and implementation of Resources Mobilization strategies; ● Lead/co-lead concept note, proposal development for institutional and other major funding agencies, and ensure adherence to specific donor requirements and organizational standards; ● Support in identifying and developing opportunities for emerging and innovative financing, and advise on appropriate strategies and approaches to seize them;
Partnerships and Advocacy ● Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, INGOs, local NGOs, donors, and community-based organizations; ● Represent the organization in key networks, coalitions, and forums to advocate for program priorities; ● Strengthen relationships with donors and partners to secure resources and increase program visibility.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) ● Oversee the development and implementation of MEAL frameworks to assess program performance and impact; ● Promote a culture of learning by documenting and sharing lessons learned, best practices, and innovations; ● Ensure accountability mechanisms are in place to involve and respond to the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders. 3
Compliance and Risk Management ● Ensure programs comply with organizational policies, donor requirements, and national regulations. ● Identify and mitigate risks related to program delivery and sustainability. ● Ensure robust financial management and accountability for program budgets in collaboration with the finance team.
Team Contribution ● Constructively contribute and collaborate with all colleagues to achieve the organizational goals. ● Deliver high quality work that provides a conducive environment to our operating environment. ● Compile with all legislations and the organization’s policies and procedures.
