Description
Head of Programmes
Contract: Permanent , Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Salary: Competitive Salary Package with excellent benefits
Abou the role: The Head of Programmes (HOP) role is to provide strategic programme direction, managerial and programme leadership, and oversight on all aspects of strategy development, programme development and management in water, sanitation and hygiene including significant component of public health programmes and projects. S/he is responsible for strategic programme leadership of programmes, programme design, management, quality assurance and partner support.
The role requires an individual with significant programme leadership skills, management, and technical expertise that would propel the CP into delivering high-quality programmes and projects with significant impact. S/he must have a strategic mindset as well as be able to lead and develop a high performing programme team. This position will also ensure that WaterAid’s partnerships remain relevant, influencing policy, practice, and systems at various levels to ensure significant contribution towards the progressive attainment of universal, sustainable, and inclusive WASH in Mozambique.
The Head of Programmes reports directly to the Country Director and is a member of the Senior Management Team. S/he will have a strong professional relationship with the Regional Programme Manager, based in the Regional Team to ensure that global standards on programme quality, planning, monitoring, evaluation, and assurance are applied in country programme.
About the Programme Team : The programme team leads the operationalisation of the Country Programme Strategy through the development of integrated programmes and projects that produce significant impact, effectiveness, and transformative change on a large scale, encompassing both policy and practice. They have responsibility for the overall management and quality assurance of WaterAid Mozambique’s WASH programmes, aligning them with the organisation’s strategy and programme standards. They design and develop innovative programmes in line with the country strategy, addressing the pressing needs and aspirations of poor and vulnerable communities, while bringing about substantial transformational change.
The team identifies opportunities to build and strengthen relations with donors and ensures the design of quality projects and funding proposals aligned with the Country Programme’s strategic priorities and tailored to meet the requirements of donors. They ensure there are adequate resources and capabilities to achieve donor’s contractual obligations and commitments, overseeing overall grant management, and delivering timely and high-quality donor reports while ensuring compliance with relevant grants within the Programme.
Accountabilities
- Provide strategic programme direction for the design of the Country Programme strategic frameworks and plans, including the development of resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programme interventions in line with the Country Strategy and WaterAid’s regional and global strategic priorities.
- Play a key role in shaping strategic direction, decision making processes, and corporate governance. Uphold the WaterAid brand, while addressing development issues specific to Mozambique and other management related issues. Contribute to expertise and insights to ensure effective programme leadership and alignment with organisational goals and values.
- Collaborate closely with the health sector to empower them to prioritise Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives and embed hygiene practices as fundamental pillars of public health.
- Integrate Climate Resilient WASH principles into project design and implementation strategies to enhance the resilience of WASH systems and infrastructure to climate change impacts approach into all aspects of our work.
- Lead the execution of WaterAid’s programmatic approaches that include Systems Strengthening Approach, Gender transformative WASH, Hygiene Behavioural-Centred Approach and Design methodologies, and Human rights-based approach (HRBA) into all aspects of WASH programming and operations.
Requirements
Essential Skills
- Minimum of master’s degree in WASH, Public Health, Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, development Studies or any other relevant discipline.
- At least 10 years of progressive managerial experience at senior levels, with strong relationship management skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels, both internally and externally.
- At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in strengthening elements of WASH systems with an understanding of WASH interaction with other systems such as health, climate change, education, and economic development.
- Experience of project and programme management and programme cycle management, with significant financial and budget management responsibility
- Proven experience of leading, developing and implementing a WASH strategy.
Requisite Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
- Good knowledge of development context especially as they relate to water, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries or Mozambique context.
- Proven experience and knowledge of programme design, development, and implementation processes as it relates to WASH or a combination of WASH and Health Sectors
- Proven experience of leading programmes that deliver transformational change through the integration of evidence-based learning to inform advocacy and policy influencing in the sector.
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing systems strengthening in WASH.
- Demonstrated expertise in behavioural centred approaches and design methodologies, with a track record of successfully applying these principles to programmatic interventions.
Desirable skills
- Good knowledge of the Government of Mozambique’s development policies and strategies, as they relate to achieving universal access to WASH, WASH in Public health, and WASH and Climate Change.
- Experience leading robust public health programmes that cover diseases burden, diseases outbreaks, preventive health and hygiene programmes and health systems as well as climate resilience WASH programming.
- Openness and willingness to reflect on contextual changes and to proactively change course in response. Willingness to try new, unconventional, and innovative ideas and partnerships to catalyse and leverage change in WASH systems.
- Understanding of social inclusion issues to ensure the most marginalised people excluded from WASH are identified, targeted and benefit from system strengthening efforts.
- Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, policy analysis and development skills.
How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to upload your CV and Cover Letter.
If you have applied for this role before, we kindly ask that you do not reapply.
Closing date: Applications will close 12:00 pm UK time on 15 September 2025.
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.
Pre-employment screening: To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the applicable laws in the respective countries to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy.
Benefits
As an organisation WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. So, in addition to our inspiring global mission and engaging work environment, we have a generous benefit package to help you take care of your health, happiness and wellbeing. Further benefits information is available from the country of application including:
- 13th Salary
- Life insurance that pays up to 4 annual basic salaries
- Medical aid cover
Our Global Commitment:
Our People Promise
We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.
Safeguarding
We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).
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