Head of Programs

About Akili Dada

Akili Dada is an award-winning leadership incubator anchored on the belief that girls and young women CAN, DO and WILL LEAD. Our mission is to nurture transformational feminist leadership in girls and young women from underserved backgrounds to meet the urgent need for more African women in leadership.

We journey alongside adolescent girls and young women, supporting them in creating and implementing solutions to their communities’ challenges. We build their capacity to lead, applying a holistic approach that encompasses financial investment, intergenerational mentorship, movement building, and advocacy through education and leadership.

After close to two decades of engaging and collaborating with girls and women, our philosophy is embedded in Igniting inherent power and amplifying voices and perspectives while nurturing Legacies of influence that can be sustained and replicated worldwide. Through W.A.U (Washa – Ignite. Angaza – Amplify. Legacy – Urithi), we conduct rigorous research and development to inform our programmatic pillars.

About the Role

The Head of Programs will be responsible for overseeing all programmatic activities, ensuring excellence in program delivery, and advancing Akili Dada’s mission of empowering young African women leaders.

This senior leadership position combines portfolio management and team mentorship, ensuring programs align with organizational mission while meeting stakeholder expectations and creating lasting impact through dynamic programming.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategic Direction: Guide and execute comprehensive program strategies that advance organizational objectives through evidence-based approaches and innovative solutions.
• Team Development: Build and nurture a results-oriented team environment through structured mentorship, professional development, and performance optimization.
• Partnership Development: Establish and enhance strategic collaborations with stakeholders, donors, and community partners to extend programmatic impact.
• Program Management: Direct the planning, execution, and assessment of all programs, maintaining excellence through systematic monitoring and quality controls.
• Risk Management: Implement strategic risk assessment and mitigation protocols to ensure program sustainability and resilience.
• Financial Management: Oversee program budgets with attention to resource optimization, donor requirements, and fiscal accountability.
• Project Execution: Drive successful project delivery through methodical planning, resource management, and adherence to established standards.
• Knowledge Management: Manage comprehensive documentation protocols while facilitating effective stakeholder communications.
• Impact Assessment: Collaborate with MERL Officer to enhance program effectiveness through systematic monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Resource Development: Partner with Business Development to identify funding prospects, cultivate donor relationships, and shape fundraising initiatives.
• Executive Leadership: Participate actively in senior management, contributing strategic insights to organizational direction.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Public Policy, or related social sciences field.
• Professional certifications in Project Management (PMP/PRINCE2), Monitoring & Evaluation, or Financial Management highly desired.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in program management, with demonstrated success in implementing multiple projects.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and scale high-impact programs in the development sector.
• Expert knowledge of financial management principles, budget development, and resource allocation
• Demonstrated excellence in team leadership, with strong mentoring and capacity building capabilities.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing programs focused on girls’ and women’s education, rights advocacy, leadership development, and economic empowerment initiatives, with a track record of achieving measurable outcomes and sustainable impact.
• Substantial experience working with and developing programs for underserved and under-resourced communities, particularly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), rural areas, and low-income contexts, with demonstrated understanding of local dynamics and cultural sensitivities provides an added advantage.
• Proven track record in donor relationship management, including extensive experience in preparing comprehensive donor reports, managing diverse stakeholder relationships, and maintaining effective communication channels with multiple partners.
• Advanced leadership and supervisory skills, including experience in team development, performance management, conflict resolution, and fostering collaborative work environments.
• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to process complex information, identify patterns, develop strategic insights, and implement systematic approaches to program management.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, including proficiency in public speaking, report writing, proposal development, and cross-cultural communication.

Person Specification

• Self identifying feminist committed to advancing women’s rights and gender equality through transformative leadership and inclusive programming approaches.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, capable of synthesizing complex information to develop innovative solutions while maintaining clear focus on organizational objectives and impact metrics.
• Natural mobilizer with demonstrated ability to unite diverse stakeholders around common goals and inspire collective action for social change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, including strong facilitation skills and the capacity to effectively engage with multiple audiences across various cultural contexts.
• Cultural sensitivity and commitment to gender equality, with deep understanding of intersectional approaches to women’s empowerment and social justice in African contexts.
• Results-oriented with strong problem-solving capabilities, demonstrating persistence in overcoming obstacles while maintaining focus on achieving measurable outcomes.
• Adaptable leadership style with emotional intelligence, showing ability to navigate complex situations while fostering an inclusive and supportive team environment.