Head of Programs

ForAfrika is an African-rooted, globally connected organisation dedicated to empowering communities across the continent through sustainable development and humanitarian aid. With over 40 years of operational experience, ForAfrika works in environments that vary from emergency relief settings to long-term development, ensuring that every initiative is contextually aligned with the needs of the people it serves. Through a deep love for Africa and unwavering commitment, ForAfrika delivers programmes that transform lives by embracing an integrated approach to development. This includes enhancing education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, food security and livelihoods, economic empowerment, and more, building environments where all Africans can thrive.

Position Summary
The role is responsible for ensuring that programs are designed, implemented, and monitored to deliver high-quality, impactful, and sustainable results that align with ForAfrika’s vision of “a thriving Africa where no one is left behind.”
The HOP will work closely with the Country Director, Program Managers, Technical Advisors, and partners to ensure effective planning, resource mobilization, donor compliance, monitoring, and integration of multi-sectoral interventions including Health & Nutrition, WASH, Education, Food Security & Livelihoods, and Emergency Response.

Key Roles and Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Program Development
-Lead the design, development, and implementation of the Country Program Strategy, ensuring alignment with ForAfrika’s global strategic plan.
-Provide technical guidance and oversight across all program sectors, ensuring coherence and integration.
-Drive business development by identifying funding opportunities, leading proposal development, and strengthening donor relations.
-Foster partnerships with Government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to expand program impact.
2. Program Management & Implementation
-Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all projects to ensure quality, accountability, and impact.
-Ensure program activities are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, meeting donor and organizational standards.
-Supervise program managers and provide regular performance management, coaching, and mentoring.
-Lead the roll-out of systems and tools for project management, reporting, and accountability.
3. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)
-Ensure robust MEAL systems are in place to track program results and inform adaptive management.
-Promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing across programs and with external stakeholders.
-Lead the development and implementation of accountability mechanisms to ensure community feedback informs programming.
4. Financial & Operational Oversight
-Work with the Finance and Operations teams to ensure effective budget development, expenditure tracking, and financial accountability across programs.
-Support cost efficiency measures and identify opportunities for optimizing resources without compromising program quality.
-Ensure compliance with donor regulations, national legislation, and ForAfrika policies.
5. Team Leadership & Capacity Building
-Provide strong leadership and direction to the programs team, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and deliverables.
-Build staff capacity through training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
-Foster a culture of teamwork, inclusivity, innovation, and accountability across the programs unit.
6. Representation & Advocacy
-Represent ForAfrika Angola in coordination forums, government meetings, donor briefings, and external platforms.
-Advocate for the needs of vulnerable communities in Angola and contribute to shaping policies in line with ForAfrika’s mission.
-Position ForAfrika Angola as a thought leader in humanitarian and development programming.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Master’s degree in international development, Public Health, Social Sciences, or related field.
2. Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in program management within international NGOs, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
3. Proven experience in multi-sector program design, management, and evaluation (health, nutrition, WASH, education, livelihoods, emergency response).
4. Demonstrated success in donor engagement, fundraising, and proposal development (UNICEF, WFP, USAID, EU, etc.).
5. Strong financial management skills and experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets.
6. Knowledge of Angola or Southern Africa humanitarian and development context is highly desirable.
7. Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.
8. Fluency in English and Portuguese
9. Strategic thinking and decision-making.
10. Strong partnership and stakeholder management.
11. High integrity, accountability, and results orientation.
12. Cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
13. Ability to thrive in complex and challenging environments.