Job Title:

Head of Programmes

Department:

Programme

Contract Type:

Fixed Term – 12 months, Subject to extension basis performance and Funding.

Job Family:

Programme

Reports to:

Director, ActionAid Arab Region

Grade:

E+

Location:

Amman with frequent travels in the region

Direct Reports:

Programme Manager (x2), PQMEAL Coordinator

Job Role

Role Overview:

The Head of Programmes leads the design and implementation of ActionAid Arab Region’s (AAAR) programmes, ensuring alignment with AAAR and ActionAid International (AAI) strategies. This challenging and dynamic role involves managing a diverse team spread across four countries, ensuring programme quality, drive fundraising efforts, innovation, and adherence to donor requirements. As a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Head of Programmes drives strategic direction, fundraising, and organisational development to deliver impactful programmes that address the region's unique challenges and opportunities.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Key Activities

Leadership & People Management

• Provide strong leadership to the programme team across four countries, ensuring a high level of collaboration, programme quality, and innovative thinking.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and capacity-building, with a focus on developing leadership within the team.
• Ensure the programme team understands and implements AAAR’s strategic goals, while fostering a cohesive and accountable work environment.

Program/strategy development & fundraising

• Lead the design and implementation of programmes that align with AAAR’s strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with regional leadership to ensure that fundraising strategies are effective and updated.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with donors, partners, and affiliates to secure funding and strengthen programme impact.

Grants & Financial Management

• Oversee grant management, ensuring compliance with donor contracts, timely reporting, and effective use of resources.
• Work closely with the Finance team to monitor budget performance and ensure sound financial management across programmes.

Programme Implementation and MEAL

• Ensure that programmes are implemented in collaboration with local partners, with clear frameworks for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL).
• Develop capacity support plans for partners and ensure proper systems and tools are in place for effective implementation.
• Ensure timely submission of high-quality programme reports.

Programme Financial Management

• Overall responsible for the management of the expenditure and disbursement of resources allocated to the programme department.
• Review programme expenditures from the programme staff to ensure conformity to Financial Policies and Procedures Manual (FPPM).
• Closely monitor and advise on programme and project spending and variance report as per organizational process and procedures.
• Ensure that Programme Managers are well prepared and actively participating in Monthly Budget Holder meetings. ;
• Close collaboration with the Finance Team related to budget design processes, financial reporting and all other relevant matters.

Representation, Communication & Campaigns

• Represent AAAR in high-level meetings with donors, governments, and key international stakeholders.
• Lead the development of a Communication and Campaign Plan, ensuring alignment with programmes to enhance AAAR’s visibility and influence.
• Supervise and support the Communication & Campaigns Coordinator to execute strategic campaigns and partnerships.

Annual planning and budgeting

• Lead the development of annual plans and budgets in coordination with Programme Managers and the finance team.
• Ensure alignment with ActionAid’s global accountability and performance framework.

Others

• Ensure adherence to AAAR values, principles and Human Rights based approach.  
• Ensure the compliance with AAAR policies and procedures.
• Ensure alignment with AA Humanitarian signature.
• Ensure compliance with humanitarian standards, e.g., CHS, etc

Typical People Management Responsibility

Approximate number of people managed in total

3-5 people

Matrix Manager – (projects/dotted line)

NA

Team Leader

Yes

What is the global remit?  Operates in:

Own country

No

Geographic Region

Yes

Financial Management Remit

Financial (limits/mandates)

Super Budget Holder for all programmes within the approved Budget.

Direct departmental budget:

Organisation-wide expenditure

Key Relationships to reach solutions

Internal (to ActionAid or team)

External

SMT members, Programme managers, Technical officers;

Relevant ActionAid International Program and Policy teams

Relevant ActionAid Affiliates

Partners, Media, Government, Donors and International organisations

Person Specification

Education & Certifications

• Minimum a Bachelor degree in social science, development studies, political science; Master Degree or international studies are desirable

Essential Experience

• A minimum of 5 years in leading programmes in development work and poverty alleviation programmes international experience is preferred.
• Proficiency of working at the Senior Management level. Past experience as HoP or similar roles is a requirement.
• Experience working within humanitarian context, protracted crisis as well as understanding for social cohesion and peace aspects (NEXUS) preferable from the region.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate with diverse teams in multicultural settings
• Strong background in fundraising with institutional, government, and corporate donors.
• Experience with youth engagement and young-women-led programmes is an advantage.
• ActionAid is an equal opportunities organisation, and women candidates meeting minimum essential qualification and experience are encouraged to apply. 

Language proficiency

• Proficiency in English is a requirement. Knowledge of Arabic will be an advantage.

Essential Knowledge

• Strategic planning and management
• Staff and partner capacity development
• Background in one of the programme areas that AAAR focuses on young women’s rights, youth leadership, climate justice governance, and resilience.
• Human Rights Based Approach to development.
• Networking and collaboration
• Corporate governance
• Programme reviews, monitoring and evaluation.
• In-depth understanding of programming issues and policy work at state, national and international levels
• Understanding of gender issues in the development context and demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equality within the organisation and in programme work

Essential Skills

• People management skills
• Analytical skills
• Critical thinking
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Budgeting and finance management skills
• Programme management skills.
• Donor relationship and funding proposal development
• Good communication skills
• Networking and stakeholder management skills