Job Purpose

The Programme and Scale Lead provides strategic and technical oversight of Child’s i’s programme portfolio, ensuring programmes are well designed, delivered on time, within budget, and to a consistently high standard. The role works closely with the MEAL function to embed evidence, learning, and quality assurance, and to identify clear opportunities for scale and sustainability in line with Child’s i’s strategic objectives. You will supervise senior practitioners, provide guidance and coaching to programme teams, and ensure strong planning, coordination, documentation, and performance management across the portfolio. The role also serves as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, strengthening safeguarding practice, compliance, and a culture of accountability across all programmes and partnerships. Externally, the Programme and Scale Lead will steward key relationships and partnerships with civil society organisations, local government, community structures, and faith-based organisations, helping to coordinate collaboration, strengthen delivery ecosystems, and position Child’s i’s work for broader adoption and impact.

Key Job Duties And Responsibilities

• A. Programme portfolio delivery & quality (30% of Time)
• B. Evidence, learning & performance with MEAL (15% of Time)
• C. Scale & sustainability (15% of Time)
• D. Safeguarding leadership (Designated Safeguarding Lead) (15% of Time)
• E. People leadership & partnerships (25% of Time)

Lead day-to-day oversight of the programme portfolio to ensure delivery is on time, on budget, and to standard; coordinate annual and quarterly workplans and implementation calendars with Senior Practitioners/Team Leads; manage delivery risks and dependency tracking (identify delays early and drive mitigation); ensure programme design is technically sound and aligned to Child’s i strategy and operating model; oversee donor compliance across projects (contractual obligations, reporting timetables, policy adherence, documentation readiness); maintain strong coordination with Finance/Operations to ensure smooth delivery resourcing and accountability.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education, Knowledge & Working experience

• Minimum of a Postgraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Education, Development Studies or a similar relevant field.
• Experience working with local partners and District Local Government in Child Rights Governance, Health, Nutrition, Education, HIV/AIDS or Child Protection is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in an INGO or similar, interfacing with partners and civil society organisations.
• Thorough understanding and demonstrated commitment to child rights issues and the guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including non-discrimination, child participation and the best interest of the child.
• Programme and Project management experience, including demonstrated abilities within programme/budget development, implementation and monitoring & evaluation.
• Solid understanding of the roles and dynamics of Civil Society and Government actors, respectively, and the relevance of engaging with both parties in order to ensure effective promotion and protection of children’s rights.

Skills and Abilities

Personal Attributes (can be related to company core values)

Child’s i Foundation is committed to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults from sexual exploitation and other forms of harassment and abuse. Rigorous background and reference checks will be conducted in the course of the recruitment process.

• A. Programme portfolio delivery & quality (30% of Time)
• B. Evidence, learning & performance with MEAL (15% of Time)
• C. Scale & sustainability (15% of Time)
• D. Safeguarding leadership (Designated Safeguarding Lead) (15% of Time)
• E. People leadership & partnerships (25% of Time)
• Lead day-to-day oversight of the programme portfolio to ensure delivery is on time, on budget, and to standard; coordinate annual and quarterly workplans and implementation calendars with Senior Practitioners/Team Leads; manage delivery risks and dependency tracking (identify delays early and drive mitigation); ensure programme design is technically sound and aligned to Child’s i strategy and operating model; oversee donor compliance across projects (contractual obligations, reporting timetables, policy adherence, documentation readiness); maintain strong coordination with Finance/Operations to ensure smooth delivery resourcing and accountability.

• Programme and Project management experience, including demonstrated abilities within programme/budget development, implementation and monitoring & evaluation.
• Solid understanding of the roles and dynamics of Civil Society and Government actors, respectively, and the relevance of engaging with both parties in order to ensure effective promotion and protection of children’s rights.

• Minimum of a Postgraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Education, Development Studies or a similar relevant field.
• Experience working with local partners and District Local Government in Child Rights Governance, Health, Nutrition, Education, HIV/AIDS or Child Protection is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in an INGO or similar, interfacing with partners and civil society organisations.
• Thorough understanding and demonstrated commitment to child rights issues and the guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including non-discrimination, child participation and the best interest of the child.