Head of Program Planning and Performance

Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned leader in Program Planning and Performance who thrives in dynamic and fast-evolving environments and embraces a proactive, hands-on approach. This individual will provide leadership and technical guidance across all program delivery platforms, including Country Programs, Pan-African initiatives, Education and Transitions, Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Special Programs, and Health sectors. The main responsibility includes spearheading program and portfolio planning processes that align with the strategic agenda through annual and thematic operational plans.

Key Contributions

• Develop a comprehensive planning framework encompassing forecasting, budgeting, and an annual calendar of priorities and activities for programs.
• Oversee timelines for annual planning cycles to ensure adherence.
• Monitor and consolidate implementation plans and progress across all program levels in collaboration with operational heads.
• Facilitate planning sessions and coordinate activities across program teams.
• Lead reviews and updates of the program planning framework to reflect evolving needs.
• Implement a unified planning approach through training and team engagement cross-functionally.
• Adjust planning and budgeting frameworks in response to program changes and growth.
• Guide strategic approach formulation in countries by aligning with the Foundation’s mission and national priorities, leading to development of strategic plans.
• Integrate learnings from research, ecosystem studies, and macro analysis to refine strategies.
• Direct program strategy development including root cause analysis, target setting, and hypothesis formulation.
• Coordinate integrated program and portfolio planning, focusing on partner engagement mechanisms.
• Participate in project design processes such as defining project scopes and theories of change.
• Design and execute an integrated annual operational planning calendar covering key review and approval meetings.
• Develop planning tools and bolster planning capabilities among program teams.
• Establish learning and capacity-building initiatives on monitoring and partner insights, promoting best practices.
• Collaborate with Impact Capability Development and other departments to carry out capacity assessments and enhance monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) capabilities within country teams and partners.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate qualifications in development studies, social sciences, economics, statistics or related fields, including expertise in research methods particularly involving Indigenous peoples, youth, and vulnerable groups.
• Over 10 years of experience in private and non-profit sectors with focus on leadership/coordination of planning, strategy, monitoring & evaluation, and reporting functions.
• Proven track record in managing strategic and operational plans that oversee implementation roadmaps, partnerships, and measurable outcomes within set timelines and responsibilities.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders in developing countries such as government entities and NGOs to design effective, user-centric results-based management systems.
• Expertise in engaging international donors and stakeholders in the creation and execution of adaptive, complex program monitoring systems.
• Strong skills in mixed methods data quality assessment, including administrative, qualitative, and quantitative data.
• Experience implementing beneficiary feedback mechanisms and using participatory approaches.
• Senior leadership and management experience, ideally with leadership of country-level operations.
• Familiarity living or working within local communities and navigating government and academic research protocols.
• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic, portfolio, and implementation planning methods.
• Deep understanding of monitoring systems, research, and evaluation methodologies, specifically aimed at outcome and impact measurement.
• Strong cultural competency, language skills, and connection to national communities.
• Membership in or strong networks with national authorities and community groups.
• Ability to develop measurable outcomes and impact indicators, including practical methods for their evaluation.
• Understanding of systems thinking, development, and testing of theories of change appropriate for Indigenous and vulnerable communities.
• Dynamic, strategic thinker with demonstrated expertise in stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and collaboration across community, governmental, and private sectors.
• Strong organizational skills with experience in records and publication management.

Additional Information

The Foundation is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that respects the diverse backgrounds of its team members. Employment is contingent on satisfactory reference checks and background verification.