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. S/he will provide an oversight of the quality of the programmes that reflect adherence
to global and WaterAid standards. and donor guidelines, while fostering innovation to improve
effectiveness and impact ensuring the delivery and overall success of WaterAid’s Country
Programme Strategy (2023-2028). The role enhances WaterAid’s existing portfolio of
programmes and partnerships, working closely with Policy and Advocacy and diverse expertise

to design and showcase WaterAid’s service delivery models, and innovation with the aim of
influencing for wider and transformational change in support of WaterAid’s vision and strategy.
The role requires an individual with significant programme leadership skills, management, and
technical know-how 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 Zambia by 2028. This role will provide advice on programme development of
WaterAid Zambia, proactively support fundraising and continuously seek to strengthen its overall
country programme performance, developing and reviewing organisational policies that will
bring about the transformational changes necessary to achieve sustainable WASH service for all.
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. At the Country Programme level, the HoP will have a strong professional
relationship with the Head of Advocacy and Policy, Head of Funding, Head of Finance and Senior
Programme staff.
Programme Team role
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
Zambia’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 programme team takes the lead in the
developing and implementing WaterAid’s approaches across all levels, with great emphasis on
fostering gender transformative and inclusive approaches. By fostering synergies among various
programmes, they cultivate a culture of learning and improvement of WA’s models and coherent
approaches to integrate programmes with national advocacy and policy initiatives.
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. Additionally, the team
actively cultivate and strengthens effective partnerships, collaborations, networks, and alliances
among stakeholders in the sector, including government departments, the private sector,

Create conducive learning conditions, ensuring a safe environment for sharing of ideas and
problem solving. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing
implementation of the PMER policy and facilitate cross-sectoral and cross-department
learning.
• Coordinate with Head of Finance and IT and Head of People & Organisational Development
to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project material
and resources.
• In coordination with Country Director and the Head of Funding oversee the business
development cycle to ensure development and submission to donors of quality proposals as
per donor requirements.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and
the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in
project management standards and related PMER, business development and operational
activities. Identify training opportunities, develop training curriculums, and deliver trainings.
• Encourage and promote empowering and collaborative leadership, effective management,
and a culture of openness, innovation, and accountability in line with WaterAid’s values.
• Provide guidance and tailor individual development plans through coaching. Conduct
performance assessments for direct reports to evaluate performance and provide feedback.
Contribute to project staffing plans and senior recruitment processes.
• Represent WaterAid in meetings with NGOs, Government Ministries, donor representatives
and diplomatic missions, and other external partners.
• As a key member of the Senior Management Team contribute proactively to Country
Programme management and organisational effectiveness
• Ensure highest standards of accountability through ensuring good communication and
information sharing in line with WaterAid policies and procedures within and outside the
organisation.
• Be aware of, understand and comply with the WaterAid Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy
and all WaterAid Zambia policies and procedures.
• Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country
Director.

Essential skills
• Minimum of master’s degree in WASH, Public Health, Engineering, Water Resources
Management, Environmental Sciences, development Studies or 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.
• Strategic and operational planning experience, experience in developing country and
programme strategies and multi-sectoral development programmes
• Experience in Developing project / programme proposals for raising resources from
institutional donors
• Experience of managing and building high performing team
Requisite Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
• Good knowledge of development context especially as they relate to water, sanitation and
hygiene in developing countries or Zambia 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.
• Proven experience of Stakeholder engagement that include government, private sector, and
donors with high level of influencing skills. Confidence in working with senior level
stakeholders both internally and externally using tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to use evidence and analysis of situations and build collaborative
partnerships and alliances for influencing the sector.
• Extensive management experience at a senior level and capable of leading and managing a
team of diverse technical and professional staff. Ability to work as a team member with
leadership skills for empowering, coaching and developing employees.

Good experience in financial management with ability to prepare and manage programme
and project budgets.
• Strong organisational skills, versatility, and ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with the
experience in effective budget management.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity
to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions. Possess
entrepreneurial qualities such as risk taking, innovation, and creativity.
• Gender and other diversity considerations within key areas of responsibility and commitment
to addressing inequalities in the workplace and the programme.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing
Applications, information, and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing
network.
• Working style that reflects WaterAid’s values of Respect, Accountability, Courage,
Collaboration, Integrity, and Innovation.
• High level of proficiency in spoken and written English, with good communication,
interpersonal, analytical, negotiation and persuasive skills
Desirable skills
• Good knowledge of the Government of Zambia’s development policies and strategies, they
relate to achieving universal access to WASH, WASH in Public health, WASH Financing
• Experience leading robust public health programmes that cover diseases burden, diseases
outbreaks, preventive health and hygiene programmes and health systems.
• 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.
• Experience of working effectively within a culturally diverse and matrix organisation.