Head of Program

Job Summary

1. Strategic Leadership:
• Lead the development of the strategic plan for the overall program at the country level.
• Support the WASSA Director and the Senior Management Team in developing strategic and operational plans.
• Ensure alignment of program priorities, strategies, and plans with the WASSA Strategic Plan.
• Provide leadership to the Program Team to achieve the objectives of the WASSA Strategy.
2. Fundraising and Donor Relationship Management:
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors.
• Lead the development of program ideas into quality grant proposals.
• Identify funding opportunities and write technical and funding proposals.
• Establish/maintain strategic partnerships with selected partners/donors.
3. Program Management and Implementation:
• Ensure quality implementation of all WASSA projects.
• Monitor projects in the field to ensure alignment with the WASSA strategy.
• Provide effective technical assistance to project implementation teams.
• Ensure timely submission of program and project reports to donors and relevant sectorial departments
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning, and Reporting:
• Lead the MEAL team by directly overseeing the MEAL department.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation plans for projects with clear impact indicators.
• Represent WASSA in program-related knowledge-sharing forums.
• Ensure compliance with approved program and project plans.
5. Policy Management and Compliance:
• Lead the development and implementation of WASSA policies in the program section.
• Review and update policies and procedures as necessary in the program section.
• Ensure staff compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
6. Partnerships and Networking:
• Represent WASSA in networks, clusters, and alliances.
• Strengthen network presence in collaboration areas.
• Ensure effective communication with stakeholders, partners, and donors.
7. Financial Management:
• Develop and monitor the Program department's activity and work plan in a way to ensure that it attains its objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently (value for money)
• Review projects budget for donor submission including budget revision.
• Review and approve program/projects financial requests.
• Manage the expenditure and disbursement of resources for projects.
8. Human Resource Management:
• Lead and manage the program team and Project Managers.
• Create an empowering work environment and encourage team productivity.

Participate in core staff recruitment, performance appraisal, and training/capacity building planning and implementation

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field is required.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in program management within an NGO, humanitarian, development, or similar organization.
• At least 3 years of experience in a senior program management or leadership position, with responsibility for managing projects, teams, budgets, and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, project implementation, quality assurance, and strategic planning.
• Proven experience in fundraising, proposal development, donor communication, and identifying funding opportunities.
• Experience in managing or overseeing MEAL, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning, and reporting functions.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, donors, government stakeholders, clusters, networks, and other partners is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, including Project Managers and program staff.

Technical & Management Competencies

• Strong knowledge of humanitarian and development program management principles and project cycle management.
• Strong skills in developing and reviewing project proposals, budgets, workplans, indicators, reports, and program strategies.
• Strong financial and resource management skills, including budget review, expenditure monitoring, and ensuring value for money.
• Strong leadership, team management, mentoring, coaching, and staff capacity-building skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, coordination, negotiation, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and representation skills, with the ability to effectively engage donors, partners, government authorities, clusters, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work strategically while maintaining close oversight of project implementation and program quality.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is highly desirable.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and professional use of email and online collaboration platforms.
• Willingness and ability to undertake regular field visits and travel as required.
• Commitment to WASSA’s values, mission, safeguarding principles, accountability, inclusion, and professional ethics.