Associate Director- Programs

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.