We are seeking a highly motivated individual to fill the position within our dynamic team. The selected candidate will play a key role in driving our organizational objectives forward while collaborating closely with cross-functional departments. This position requires a strong background in [specific field or industry, if applicable], with a minimum of [X years] of relevant experience. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional analytical skills, the ability to multitask effectively, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines. Key responsibilities include [list key duties, e.g., project management, stakeholder engagement, or data analysis], ensuring seamless operations and strategic alignment with company goals. Proficiency in [specific tools, software, or methodologies] is essential, along with outstanding communication and leadership capabilities.
The Head of Program Design and Quality offers strategic and technical direction to uphold excellence in evidence-based, fundable program development across Girls Not Brides’ Country Impact portfolio. In close collaboration with Regional Heads, the Development team, and other essential stakeholders, the position advances program quality, reinforces design methodologies and systems, and facilitates the creation of donor-ready, high-impact initiatives spanning Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean.
This position spearheads cross-regional collaboration, fosters organizational learning and programmatic excellence, and manages global member engagement while strategically overseeing coalition grant portfolios to guarantee alignment, high standards, and measurable impact.
ABOUT YOU
You possess substantial expertise in program design and quality assurance, with a proven ability to deliver high-caliber, donor-funded international development initiatives. Your skill set encompasses program design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), theory of change development, proposal formulation, and rigorous program quality control, supported by extensive experience across diverse geographic regions or countries.
As a collaborative and strategic leader, you adeptly convert organizational strategy into fundable initiatives, enhance systems and operational frameworks, and deliver pragmatic technical guidance to varied teams and partners. Your strong communication skills, relationship-building acumen, and problem-solving expertise enable you to drive meaningful impact through evidence-based approaches, ongoing learning, and relentless pursuit of improvement.
As part of a global team, team members at Girls Not Brides may occasionally need to work outside standard hours—such as early mornings or evenings—to facilitate collaboration across different time zones. This is not a frequent requirement but arises as needed to align with the schedules of colleagues in other regions.
Frequent international travel may be necessary for this position.
We offer a competitive salary bracket between $[X] and $[Y] annually, contingent upon qualifications and experience. The role requires a minimum of [Z] years in [specific field/industry], along with proficiency in [relevant skills/tools]. Responsibilities include [specific tasks], ensuring adherence to [industry/regulatory standards], and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve [key objectives]. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Market-competitive compensation is determined through a comprehensive Birches Group survey of comparable national NGO salaries across selected locations, with remuneration disbursed in the local currency of the designated workplace.
Crafting and executing legally binding agreements falls within your purview as you oversee the terms, conditions, and obligations outlined in each contract. Your responsibilities include meticulous negotiation, thorough review, and ensuring full compliance with organizational policies and applicable laws. Additionally, you will collaborate with various departments to address contractual inquiries, mitigate risks, and resolve disputes efficiently. A keen eye for detail and strong analytical skills are essential to identify potential issues and propose viable solutions. Familiarity with contract law principles and prior experience in contract administration or management are required, along with the ability to draft clear, concise, and enforceable agreements.
This role is offered on a fixed-term basis, with a contract duration of two years.
The ideal candidate must possess the legal authorization to work in Kenya, India, Mexico, or the UK throughout the application process and for the entire duration of the initial two-year contract period.
KEY RESPONSIBILTIES
Demonstrates strong technical leadership while ensuring the highest standards of program quality. Guides teams through complex technical challenges, fostering innovation and efficiency. Oversees the implementation of best practices to maintain robust and scalable solutions. Ensures alignment with strategic objectives while driving continuous improvement in performance and delivery.
Oversee and enhance program quality management initiatives within our Country Impact operations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Spearhead the creation, alignment, and implementation of program tools, frameworks, and processes throughout the entire project lifecycle, encompassing activities such as country analysis, project design, theories of change, and grantee selection.
Deliver strategic direction and stringent quality oversight to uphold coherent, consistent, and high-impact programs across Accelerator and Strategic Engagement (SE) countries, in strict alignment with organizational strategic objectives and established quality benchmarks.
Enhance the ability of the organization and its team members to effectively oversee larger and increasingly complex restricted programs, thereby improving overall delivery standards across all portfolios.
Coordinate technical support packages—such as tools and training sessions—for member coalitions, ensuring comprehensive support in project design, management, and organizational strengthening to uphold delivery standards.
Collaborate closely with the MEAL team to enhance theories of change, refine results frameworks, and apply results-based design methodologies for improved implementation and reporting.
Designing and developing fundable programs is a key responsibility of this role. This entails creating innovative program designs that align with organizational goals and donor requirements, as well as crafting proposals that effectively communicate the program’s objectives, strategies, and anticipated impact to secure funding. Additionally, the position requires staying current with funding trends and guidelines to ensure proposals meet the necessary criteria and stand out in competitive grant processes.
Serve as the Program Lead responsible for crafting concept notes and proposals, guaranteeing submissions of the highest quality, competitiveness, and strategic alignment with donor expectations in close collaboration with the development team (DOT) and Regional Heads.
Drive the development and coordination of program design initiatives across multiple regions, guaranteeing uniform standards and methodologies, while ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic objectives and donor requirements.
Collaborate with regional teams to translate organizational strategy into well-defined, financially viable program designs within Accelerator and Strategic Engagement countries.
Design and implement practical program design tools while facilitating participatory design processes in collaboration with regional teams, coalitions, partners, and relevant stakeholders.
Enhance the organizational and team capabilities to design intricate and highly constrained programs, thereby elevating both program quality and preparedness for funding acquisition.
Offer expert insights on the implementation of consortium-based methodologies in program design initiatives.
Cross-regional coordination ensures seamless alignment of initiatives across diverse regions, fostering collaboration and consistency in portfolio management. This role involves harmonizing global membership strategies to enhance cohesion and maximize collective impact, driving unified execution of organizational objectives. Responsibilities include facilitating communication between regional teams, identifying opportunities for synergy, and ensuring adherence to overarching strategic frameworks while supporting scalable and sustainable growth initiatives.
Ensure that learning and evidence are methodically documented and integrated into program guidance and practice across all regions, thereby supporting the ongoing enhancement of Girls Not Brides’ Accelerator and Strategic Engagement country models.
Strengthen and coordinate cross-regional initiatives, leveraging shared frameworks, methodologies, and tools to ensure consistency while accommodating regional customization.
Girls Not Brides’ grant portfolio to coalitions falls under your purview, where you will ensure strict alignment with organizational objectives, established timelines, and allocated budgets while upholding exceptional grant management standards. This role demands proactive guidance, meticulous oversight, and effective line management of the Senior Grants Officer to maintain consistency and high-quality execution throughout the process.
Oversee the global member engagement strategy, maximizing the value derived from tools and learning initiatives developed across the organization and ensuring their effective dissemination to members. Additionally, manage global membership communications, systems, and processes, with direct line responsibility for the Senior Officer overseeing Membership and Partnerships.
Ensure strategic alignment and quality control across cross-regional inputs—including planning, methodologies, and narrative reporting—by consolidating efforts to maintain consistency and coherence, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and seamless collaboration with relevant teams.
Seeking a candidate with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, preferably in a related field. The ideal applicant will hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or possess an equivalent combination of education and practical experience. Proficiency in industry-standard software, tools, or methodologies is essential, along with strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities are required to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Familiarity with compliance standards, regulatory requirements, or best practices pertinent to the role is highly desirable.
Essential
Proven expertise in designing high-caliber, fundable programs and projects, demonstrated through leadership and strategic development of intricate concept notes and donor proposals tailored to multi-million-dollar initiatives.
Demonstrated expertise in program design, management, and quality assurance, alongside the effective utilization of harmonized methodologies, frameworks, and tools throughout the entire project lifecycle. Proven capability to champion their adoption across diverse teams and regions, ensuring consistent implementation and alignment with organizational objectives.
With a proven track record of optimizing organizational frameworks, processes, and operational methodologies, you will drive improvements in program design, quality assurance, and large-scale implementation.
Proven track record of successfully collaborating across diverse international markets or regions, adept at steering and orchestrating cross-regional initiatives while maintaining uniformity and strategic coherence.
Experienced in driving the advancement of funded initiatives through program development, with a deep grasp of donor expectations, the nuances of competitive funding landscapes, and the key factors that enhance project attractiveness to funders.
Proficiency in collaborating with coalitions, civil society organizations, or membership-based networks, with a focus on capacity enhancement and provision of support.
Demonstrates a track record of delivering senior-level technical expertise and practical assistance to varied teams, partners, and stakeholders, adept at thriving within a matrix structure absent direct line management oversight, while driving informed decision-making across multiple organizational tiers.
Desirable
Hold a proven track record in the cessation of child marriage, the advancement of gender equality, the promotion of girls’ rights, or closely related fields.
Proven expertise in crafting and implementing expansive, cross-border initiatives that drive systemic change or influence policy at a high level.
Experienced in designing and executing sophisticated initiatives within coalitions, alliances, consortia, or other collaborative frameworks to ensure high-quality program delivery.
We seek a candidate with a proven track record in designing and leading collaborative program design initiatives, including the development of Theory of Change frameworks and hands-on program design workshops.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for leveraging learning, knowledge management, and evidence-based insights to shape and enhance program design.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
