Regional Programme Director Africa

GOAL

Multiple Locations

Overview of the role

The Regional Programme Director (RPD) for Africa will be responsible for leading and supporting the development, implementation, and quality of GOAL’s programmes across the African region. The RPD will work closely with the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Africa to ensure strategic alignment, coordination, and coherence of GOAL’s country programmes. The RPD will focus on strengthening programmatic quality, building the capacity of programme teams, and ensuring compliance with GOAL’s policies and donor requirements. This role requires collaboration with GOAL’s global and regional teams to enhance operational efficiency, foster innovation, and ensure emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the region.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Delivery and Management
Oversight and Support for Country Programmes:
- Provide backstopping and technical support to Programme Directors and senior programme staff to ensure effective programme delivery and compliance with donor requirements.
- Support country offices with identify programme management tools and process needs across and work to harmonize through developing standardized approaches and resources that enhance consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness in programme delivery.
- Provide operational cover for senior programme positions as needed to ensure continuity in leadership and programme implementation.
- Oversee the implementation of GOAL’s risk management framework in the region, working closely with country teams to ensure that risks are adequately identified, monitored, and mitigated. Liaise with the Ethics and Compliance Department to address compliance issues and ensure adherence to donor requirements.
- Work with RD, DRD and Regional Security Advisor to support integration of security management systems, budgets and processes across all country programmes, with a focus on staff safety and programmatic continuity.
Capacity Building and Mentorship:
- Develop and implement capacity-building initiatives for Programme Directors (PDs), Chief of Party and other senior programme staff, focusing on programme management, risk management, strategic planning, and donor engagement.
- Actively support country offices promoting understanding and integration of GOAL’s systems approach into programme design and implementation where appropriate.
Programme Development and Resource Mobilization:
- In coordination with the DRD and the Business Development Coordinator - Africa, support country teams in developing high-quality proposals and securing strategic funding opportunities.
- In coordination with the PTT, Africa Regional MEAL Coordinator, provide technical guidance to country teams on programme design, needs assessments, partner liaison, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen programme impact and sustainability.
- Work with Programme Operations team in collaboration with GOAL Partnership Centre, and country teams to develop and expand the regional strategic partnership portfolio to support GOAL’s engagement with the localisation agenda.
Promote Best Practices and Compliance:
- Ensure country teams deliver programmes in compliance with donor requirements by adhering to funding guidelines, maintaining transparent financial and narrative reporting, and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to meet all contractual obligations and quality standards.
- Ensure that GOAL’s policies, procedures, and best practices are effectively implemented across country programmes while identifying gaps and opportunities to strengthen processes and systems relating to programme delivery.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing, learning, and the adoption of innovative approaches to improve programme quality and operational efficiency.
Strategic Coordination and Regional Alignment
Regional Partnerships and Representation:
- Represent GOAL at regional-level forums and coordination mechanisms with governments, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society networks.
- Support the expansion of GOAL’s regional and global partnerships to enhance programmatic impact and sustainability.
Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Preparedness & Response:
- Keep abreast of sectoral developments in humanitarian action and liaising with the Emergency Response Unit on potential response actions as required.
- Collaborate with GOAL’s Emergency Response Unit and country teams to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity in GOAL countries.
- Provide operational support for emergency response actions as needed, ensuring timely and effective humanitarian assistance.
Collaboration with Regional Director and/or Deputy Regional Director:
- Work closely with the DRD for Africa to align programme implementation with regional strategic priorities.
- Support the development and execution of regional coordination plans to foster collaboration, shared learning, and effective resource utilization across country programmes.
- Support the development and execution GOAL’s regional strategy plans to foster collaboration, shared learning, and effective resource utilization across country programmes.
- Work closely with the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director to develop and implement a cohesive regional strategy that aligns with GOAL’s global objectives, fosters collaboration across country offices, supporting the integration of GOAL’s regional priorities into programme design, delivery, and resource mobilization efforts.
Human Resources and Leadership Development
Staff Development and Performance Management:
- Support the RE and DRD in developing and implementing strategies for leadership development, performance management, and team dynamics among Programme Directors and senior programme staff.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and professional growth.
Mentorship and Support for Senior Programme Staff:
- Identify gaps and address through tailored mentorship and coaching to Programme Directors and senior programme staff equipping them with the skills and tools needed to manage complex programme environments and achieve high performance

Requirements

Essential:

Minimum 5-8 years of experience in senior programme management roles within an international NGO, with demonstrated experience in both humanitarian and development programmes.
Proven experience in programme development, strategic planning, and resource mobilization, including successful proposal development with major donors (e.g., USAID, EU, ECHO, FCDO, UN agencies).
Proven experience with applying resilience and systems programmatic approaches, and experience with cash-based programme modalities.
Strong leadership, capacity-building, and mentorship skills, with the ability to manage diverse and multi-disciplinary teams across multiple locations.
Demonstrated experience in risk management, compliance, and security management in fragile and complex contexts.
Excellent communication, representation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Willingness to travel frequently within the region, often to challenging and high-risk environments.