Programmes Director Full Time NEW

About Us

GOAL has responded to the world’s major humanitarian crises since its founding in 1977, working with vulnerable communities in 14countries across the globe with a dedicated team of personnel. While GOAL continues to be an agile first-responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery.

About the Programme

GOAL has operated in Zimbabwe since 2002, delivering humanitarian and development projects across Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Manicaland. We focus on building resilience and sustainable livelihoods by improving economic wellbeing, agriculture, nutrition, WASH systems, and strengthening value chains to empower vulnerable communities to design and sustain solutions that meet their evolving needs.

Job Purpose

The Programme Director is a senior leader within GOAL Zimbabwe, responsible for shaping programme strategy and delivering high-quality programming across our portfolio, including Charity, Water, ICSP, and U-RISE. The successful candidate will champion evidence-based design, drive programme integration, and remain agile to respond to changing contexts.

As part of the Senior Management Team, you will work closely with senior leaders to ensure technical excellence, financial accountability, donor compliance, and strategic alignment. The PD will lead and mentor programme teams, advance business development and external engagement, and strengthen partnerships and localisation. This role requires a proven leader capable of managing complex programmes and positioning GOAL as a trusted partner to donors, authorities, and communities.

Duties and responsibilities

Programme Oversight & Delivery

• Lead all GOAL Zimbabwe programmes, ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Support Programme Managers and Technical Advisors in planning, implementation, and monitoring to meet donor and GOAL standards.
• Ensure compliance with GOAL policies (Procurement, Finance, HR, Logistics, IT).
• Oversee monthly reviews of grants, workplans, procurement, and expenditure.
• Monitor programme risks, apply mitigation measures, and escalate when necessary.
• Promote integration across sectors (WASH, health, resilience, food systems, economic empowerment).
• Strengthen MEAL systems for monitoring, learning, and improvement.
• Support and integrate partner-led activities.
• Conduct regular field visits to all programme sites.

Strategy & New Business Development

• Lead development and review of programme strategy aligned with global and national priorities.
• Identify funding opportunities and lead design of proposals and evidence-based assessments.
• Collaborate with CD, HQ, and technical teams on funding strategies and donor engagement.
• Promote cross-programme learning and share results.
• Participate in PTT Programme Director network meetings.

Grant Management, Finance Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee budgets and grants to ensure delivery against workplans and donor requirements.
• Lead financial reviews with Programme Managers, Budget Holders, Finance and Grants teams.
• Ensure donor compliance on procurement, documentation, and reporting.
• Oversee quality and timely submission of donor reports (technical, narrative, financial, MEAL).
• Strengthen financial discipline, forecasting, and accountability; align procurement with implementation.
• Prepare for audits and ensure compliance; oversee partner grants and reporting.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor staff, support recruitment, onboarding, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of learning, inclusion, and safe programming; strengthen national leadership.
• Conduct performance reviews and build team capacity through coaching and collaboration.

Representation, Donor Engagement & Networking

• Represent GOAL Zimbabwe with donors, government, clusters, and technical groups.
• Support CD in high-level engagement and act on their behalf when required.
• Promote GOAL’s programme models and evidence; support consortium engagement under ICSP and U-RISE.

Contribution to Strategic Country-Level Processes

• Participate in SMT for strategic planning, risk analysis, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure safeguarding, accountability, and compliance with security protocols.

Experience

• Significant previous experience working in humanitarian, or development settings.
• Demonstrated background working in a senior management role with a similar NGO (ideally with regional /Country experience)
• Proven experience in programme design, proposals, donor reporting.
• Expertise in resilience programming (urban, food security, economic opportunity).
• Knowledge of gender equality and social inclusion.
• Experience working with government, donors, and coordination platforms.
• Strong understanding of grant compliance and programme finance.
• Excellent written and verbal English.

Desirable

• Experience in Zimbabwe and familiarity with livelihoods, market systems development and food systems.
• Familiarity with SDC-funded programmes.
• Additional languages (French preferred).
• Experience in consortium governance and partner support.

We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single requirement listed. At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please just contact our Recruitment Team at [email protected]

Tagged as: GOAL, Zimbabwe