Overview
The Zonal Programs Manager provides leadership and oversight for all programs and projects within an assigned zone to achieve child well-being objectives. This role ensures effective implementation of Technical Programmes, fosters strategic partnerships, and ensures quality assurance.
Tasks Summary
- Contribute strategic inputs to the development and review of the National Strategy, Technical Programs, and key policies and procedures.
- Lead annual planning and budgeting processes for the zone.
- Provide guidance and oversight to Area Program Managers and Project Managers for effective program/project implementation.
- Lead and coordinate zonal technical teams to ensure integrated and high-quality delivery of Technical Programs.
- Review AP/project reports and consolidate zonal reports for submission.
- Ensure robust internal controls are in place and consistently applied.
- Oversee grant management to ensure compliance with donor requirements and quality standards.
- Conduct monitoring visits and facilitate reflection sessions with staff and partners.
- Coordinate all zonal functions for efficient technical program delivery.
- Provide strategic leadership to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Response into program design, implementation, and M&E.
- Support and coordinate Humanitarian Emergency Affairs (HEA) activities during emergencies.
- Promote documentation of best practices and strengthen linkages between local-level advocacy and national-level advocacy initiatives.
- Ensure all programs are implemented in line with the Development Program Approach/Adaptive Program Approach principles.
- Collaborate with Technical Program Managers in the development and adaptation of Technical Programs.
- Ensure high-quality implementation of Technical Programs within the assigned zone.
- Ensure program quality assurance mechanisms are effectively applied and adhered to.
- Coordinate and facilitate zonal reflection and review meetings.
- Strengthen targeting of Registered Children (RC) and Most Vulnerable Children (MVC).
- Ensure effective integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) across all Technical Programs.
- Develop and implement an annual zonal workforce plan.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of key zonal positions.
- Lead the performance management process for direct reports.
- Support staff in developing and implementing individual and career development plans.
- Identify, nurture, and develop potential successors for key positions.
- Liaise with the P&C Department to manage employment actions for direct reports.
- Promote staff care, engagement, and spiritual formation.
- Implement mechanisms to gather staff feedback and engagement insights.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with commune, district, and provincial authorities, major donors, non-state actors, businesses, and other organizations.
- Contribute to partner mapping, partner vetting, and partnership development.
- Ensure meaningful donor engagement through well-organized field visits and timely, responsive communication.
- Support Area Program Managers in Private Non-Sponsorship (PNS) and resource mobilization efforts.
- Support the GAM and PNS teams in grant, PNS, and corporate fundraising processes.
- Ensure high-quality PNS concept notes are developed and submitted to donors.
- Facilitate the acquisition and effective utilization of Gifts-in-Kind (GIK).
- Oversee regular field financial and sponsorship performance reviews.
- Lead the implementation and oversight of audit recommendations.
- Ensure Area Program compliance with World Vision policies, standards, and guidelines.
- Provide leadership for team safety and security management.
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks.
- Lead regular reviews of sponsorship performance trends.
- Coordinate with National Sponsorship Operations, DMEAL, and technical teams to ensure effective integration of sponsorship.
- Provide leadership to Area Programs to ensure full compliance with World Vision Child Protection and Safeguarding policies.
- Ensure consistent implementation of sponsorship guidelines, standards, and quality requirements.
- Perform other tasks assigned by the manager.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 10 years of progressive management experience in program and/or project management within complex international development or humanitarian organizations.
- Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-sector program portfolios, including multi-million-dollar budgets and multiple funding streams (grants, sponsorship, donors).
- Strong end-to-end understanding of the program/project management cycle, including design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, risk management, and sustainability/transition.
- Demonstrated experience leading geographically dispersed, multi-cultural teams and working with diverse stakeholders (communities, government, partners, donors, internal leadership).
- Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
- Experience working in fragile, complex, or high-risk contexts is a strong advantage.
Qualification Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Project Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
- A postgraduate qualification (e.g. Master’s degree) in Development Studies, Management, Public Policy, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
- Formal training in program/project management, including Results-Based Management (RBM), Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and quality assurance in development or humanitarian contexts.
- Demonstrated training in leadership and people management.
- Mandatory training in safeguarding, child protection, security management, and accountability to affected populations.
