Senior Program Manager – Eritrea Full Time

• Do you want to do work that really matters? Help us end avoidable blindness.
• Fixed term, Full time role based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Flexible work from home arrangements available).
• Closing Date: Monday, 16th June 2025.

ABOUT THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION

The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international development organisation working to prevent blindness and restore sight. We continue to carry on the legacy of Professor Fred Hollows, who believed every person had the right to quality eye care, no matter where they live. The Foundation is known around the world as an organisation that works with purpose and determination. With a reputation for excellence, we are well known for making change happen.

The Foundation has grown to work in more than 25+ countries throughout Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, as well as Australia. The Foundation has restored sight to more than 3 million people worldwide. We have an ambitious five-year strategic plan that aims to take us even closer to realising our vision of a world in which no person is needlessly blind, or vision impaired and Indigenous Australians exercise their right to sight and good health. To find out more about our work, please visit our website https://www.hollows.org

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Program Manager for Eritrea is a strategic leadership position responsible for guiding the overall design, implementation, and quality assurance of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s programs in Eritrea. Working independently, the role provides vision and oversight to ensure alignment with the Country Strategy, Global Strategic Framework, and national priorities. The role requires strong programmatic and systems thinking, policy advocacy, partnership cultivation, and team leadership to deliver sustainable and high-impact eye health outcomes in a complex and evolving context.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Program Manager will own the outcomes of:

Strategic Program Leadership:

• Lead the strategic design, planning, and execution of programs to deliver sustainable, people-centered eye care aligned with national and global strategies.
• Provide hands-on leadership and independent oversight across all stages of the project lifecycle—from concept development through implementation, review, and adaptive management.
• Direct and technically support the implementation of key initiatives, including health systems strengthening, capacity development, and service delivery reform.
• Manage the overall country program budget ensuring that the Foundations resources are used efficiently and, in the areas, they will achieve the most impact.
• Oversee pilot and innovation projects, ensuring alignment with broader sectoral reforms and evidence-based approaches.
• Ensure results-based program management, with clear accountability for outcomes, learning, and value-for-money.
• Steward effective delegation, coaching, and utilization of staff capacities across program and support functions.

Strategic Partnership Management and Advocacy:

• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, civil society, and other stakeholders to influence eye health prioritization.
• Provide technical assistance to partners in planning, M&E, and health systems integration for eye health.
• Advocate for increased domestic resourcing and policy support for equitable and sustainable eye health service delivery.
• Represent the Foundation in high-level forums and influence national dialogue on health systems, UHC, and NTDs as relevant.
• Lead cross-sectoral engagement and represent eye health in broader development platforms (e.g., UNICEF, ILO, private sector forums).

Quality Assurance, Learning, and Reporting:

• Oversee the achievement of qualitative and quantitative results across all programs, ensuring alignment with logframes, donor requirements, and national priorities.
• Lead regular program review processes and ensure adaptive learning is embedded into the program cycle.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Champion documentation, knowledge sharing, and the integration of evidence into program and policy work.

Leadership and Organizational Development:

• Provide effective supervision, mentoring, and performance management of program to promote growth and accountability.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that supports innovation, learning, and excellence with MOH and other partners in Eritrea.
• Lead strategic workforce planning, staff development, and succession planning for the Eritrea Eye Health under the MOH.
• Promote internal FHF coordination between program, finance, operations, and MEL teams to deliver integrated and efficient programming.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Relevant master’s degree (e.g., Health Management, International / Community Development, Public Administration, Sociology, Public health).
• At least 6 years’ experience in program management, with 3 of those in a senior management position.
• Experience in eye health, neglected tropical diseases e.g. trachoma, or non-communicable disease management e.g. diabetes.
• Significant progressive work experience, preferably in the development sector with a local or international development organization.
• Experience in dealing with a variety of Government ministries, local and international donor organizations, and other partners.

How we recognise your contribution

Through our internal programs and employee benefits we aim to create an environment where you will feel supported and empowered. Whether your focus is on continuous learning, professional development or finding an environment which enables you to thrive while balancing family or personal commitments, we have a range of programs in place to support you.

To find out more about our benefits click here

Tagged as: Ethiopia, Fred Hollows Foundation