Role Overview
The Associate Director Programs will take charge of shaping and executing program operations over the next 5-10 years. This role involves streamlining processes, strengthening teams, and developing new initiatives, with a particular focus on preventing sexual violence. The ideal candidate combines operational expertise with strategic thinking and can drive high-impact programs at scale.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Operations & Execution
- Lead teams to optimise workflows, ensuring smooth delivery of programs.
- Transition from multiple independent initiatives to a cohesive program model with clear governance and accountability.
- Define and implement SOPs, reporting structures, and operational frameworks.
- Build and maintain partnerships with implementing agencies to co-deliver interventions.
- Enhance internal support mechanisms for fundraising, communications, and branding.
- Strengthen financial planning, tracking, and reporting processes.
2. Innovation & Data-Driven Insights
- Develop and pilot new approaches based on program learnings, collaborating across teams and with external experts.
- Set up robust Theory of Change and Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) frameworks to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Leverage technology and data to inform program improvements and scale impact.
3. Leadership & Capacity Development
- Foster a collaborative, mission-focused team culture with unified goals.
- Build leadership capacity across thematic areas and strengthen the second line of leadership to enable independent project ownership.
- Serve as a thought leader in the sector and represent the program externally.
- Work closely with HR to structure teams and build capabilities aligned with strategic objectives, embed culture and values in decision-making, and champion progressive people practices such as hybrid work, wellbeing, and inclusion.
Qualifications & Experience
- At least 12 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 5 years working on programs related to sexual violence, gender justice, or adolescent-focused interventions at scale.
- Minimum 5 years in senior leadership roles with end-to-end responsibility for large initiatives.
- Postgraduate degree in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Management, or a related discipline.
Desired Skills & Attributes
- Proven experience managing relationships with diverse stakeholders including government agencies, institutional and corporate partners, and funders.
- Strong track record in leading large, multi-location teams and programs.
- Ability to conceptualize, plan, and scale interventions nationwide.
- Deep understanding of gender justice and adolescent-focused issues.
- Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to challenges.
- Comfortable leading teams through ambiguity with strategic foresight.
- Demonstrated success in scaling national-level programmatic initiatives.
